Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center
Phone: 952-854-5900 |
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Muskrats are frequently seen at the Bass Ponds. | |
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Two thousand four hundred acres of floodplain forest, ponds, marshes, bluffs, spring fed streams, historic sites, and of course the lake are all part the Long Meadow Lake Unit. Stretching from the Bloomington Visitor Center off of American Blvd East to the Lyndale Avenue Trailhead/ Russell A. Sorenson Landing, the Long Meadow Lake Unit is the most visited unit of the Refuge. You can easily reach the Long Meadow Lake Unit by five access points: Bloomington Visitor Center, Bass Ponds, Old Cedar Avenue, Lyndale Avenue/Russell A. Sorenson Landing, and the Jens Casperson Landing (managed by the DNR).
Bass Ponds:
Originally used to breed fish for stocking Minnesota lakes, this system of interconnected man-made
ponds is a favorite for school groups and anyone interested in studying nature and water management first hand. If you want to observe wildlife or
at least see their traces, the Bass Ponds offers a great opportunity for just that. Birds and waterfowl use the Bass Ponds as a stop over on their
annual migration. Deer, fox, racoons, muskrats, and beaver can be seen year round.
The Bass Ponds offers two trail systems. Pick up the Bass Ponds brochure in the kiosk (near the gate) and take the easy half-mile interpretive loop around the ponds to learn their history. The main hiking trail heads south towards Old Cedar Ave. (it's approximately one mile to Old Cedar). On this trail you'll pass the ponds on your right and Long Meadow Lake on your left, you'll go under Highway 77 to Old Cedar Ave. An accessible fishing pier is located in the Bass Ponds on the youth fishing pond.
The gate at Bass Ponds is always closed, park at the top and walk down the road. People with disabilities can obtain a key for the gate at the Visitor Center.
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Old Cedar Avenue is a great spot for bird watching. | |
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Old Cedar Avenue:
Old Cedar Avenue is a favorite place for wildlife observation, particularly during spring bird and
waterfowl migration. A popular spot is the boardwalk that ambles through the marsh out to the open water of Long Meadow Lake. Keep your ears
and eyes open for wildlife! The main hiking trail meanders for about 2 ½ miles southwest through floodplain forest to the Russell A. Sorenson
Landing (Lyndale Avenue). In addition, an accessible fishing pier is located approximately 1/4 mile northeast of the parking lot.
Russell A. Sorenson Landing (Lyndale Ave.):
Many people use Lyndale Ave. as an access point to the Minnesota River. At the end of the parking lot is a boat ramp open to the public. On the trail from Old Cedar Ave. you can see floodplain forest, hillside forest, and remnants of oak savanna (once a prominent habitat throughout Minnesota, covering 33% of the state, today only .02 % remains).
Trail Map |
| [ Click for .pdf ] |
Bass Ponds
2501 86th Street East, Bloomington
Bass Ponds trail head is at the end of E. 86th St., approximately two miles from the Visitor Center. From I-494, exit on 24th Ave.
Drive south past the Mall of America and turn left on E. 86th St. Follow the road on the left to parking area.
Old Cedar Ave.
9500 Old Cedar Avenue, Bloomington
The trail head is at the base of Old Cedar Avenue Bridge. From Hwy. 77 (Cedar Ave.) Exit on Old Shakopee Road. Drive west on Old
Shakopee Road and turn left at Old Cedar Ave. The trail head is at the bottom of the hill near the old bridge (bridge is now closed).
Plans to re-open the bridge are in the works.
Russell A. Sorenson Landing (Lyndale Ave.)
11135 Lyndale Avenue, Bloomington
The trail head is at the south end of Lyndale Ave. on the north side of the Minnesota River. From I-35W, exit onto 106th Street, and
drive east. Turn right at Lyndale Ave. Parking area and boat ramp are at the end of the road.
