Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Phone: 952-854-5900 |
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a corridor of land and water stretching along the Minnesota River. The Refuge stretches over 50 miles from Fort Snelling State Park to Henderson, Minnesota. Comprised of more than 14,000 authorized acres, the Refuge has multiple Units, offering a variety of free outdoor recreational experiences for individuals and families.
Trail conditions on the Refuge vary throughout the year. Be prepared as you may encounter changes in trail conditions while hiking. Periodic flooding, wet or muddy areas, thorny vegetation, and rough ground might occur on the trails. Bug spray, sunscreen, and drinking water is recommended during warm weather. Trails are ungroomed in winter and may be snow packed and icy. To protect wildlife please stay on designated trails and keep pets leashed at all times while visiting the Refuge.
Refuge Regulations
Follow these general rules for recreational activities on Refuge lands. Please recognize and respect the rights of our neighbors.
Permitted
- Environmental education and interpretation, hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, wildlife observation, and nature photography
- Biking on designated trail
- Bank fishing refuge-wide according to state regulations (Consult Health Department guidelines before eating any fish)
- Hunting and trapping in areas designated by Refuge Manager
- Refuge lands are open sunrise to sunset - night time activities prohibited unless authorized by the Manager
Prohibited
- Use of motor vehicles off established roads
- Snowmobiling and horseback riding
- Canoeing and boating on the Refuge except in designated areas during the hunting season
- Use or possession of firearms (including air and paintball guns) is prohibited except during hunting season in designated areas. Target shooting is prohibited
- Disturbing, injuring, picking, or damaging plants and animals
- Destroying, vandalizing, or removing property including signs
- Camping or building fires
- Disposing of waste or abandoning of property
- Indecency or disorderly conduct
- Swimming
- Unleashed pets
- Artifact hunting, cultural site disturbance, digging, burying, or disturbing the soil
In addition to this webpage, please refer to brochures available at trail heads and the Visitor Center for details about the individual units.
