Fall Photo Hike

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Early October is a great time for fall color, fall flower, and wildlife photography. Bloomington Ferry offers opportunities for all three (although you need to have a little bit of luck for the wildlife)! 

Participants will explore the trails to experience the fall colors, capturing the beauty of nature on their own cameras with the expertise of Don Tredinnick of Frozen Hiker Photography.

This program is intended for those looking to further their photography skills. No experience needed. No registration required.

Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.

Date and Time: Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10am-12pm

Location: Meet us at the Bloomington Ferry Trailhead

11255 Bloomington Ferry Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438

Registration Information: There is no registration. This is a drop-in event.

Activity Level: This program is entirely outdoors. We will walk a total distance of 1-2 miles. This activity is easy-active, taking time with what we see and capture, with plenty of stops along the way. 

What to Bring: Comfortable clothing to be outdoors is recommended, including boots in case of rain for muddy trails. Bug spray and suncreen are also recommened.

If you have one, you can bring your own camera to test out new tips and tricks. For those with cameras with interchangeable lenses, lenses with focal lengths between 24mm and 105mm is ideal. Tripods and polarizing filters are optional (a polarized pair of sunglasses works great for phones).

Accessibility: Accessibility at Bloomington Ferry:

There are no restrooms or water fountains at this location. There are no dedicated handicap parking spots. Bloomington Ferry and River Bottoms trails are natural surface, mostly flat, with entries to trails moderately sloped. Minnesota Valley State Trail is handicap accessible, paved and mostly flat, with access via a pedestrian bridge. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches in the area. Kiosk is a <0.1 mile distance from the parking lot.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.