Hiking

Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge offers five hiking trails to explore. Whether you’re looking for a short, easy walk or a more challenging route, you’re likely to find a trail that suits your adventure.

Oxbow Nature Trail

Your walk along this trail will take you on either a one-half mile or 1-mile journey through prime river bottom habitat of the Souris River. This trail is hard-surfaced and benches are available along the route. Interpretive signs are provided to increase your enjoyment of this area.

Overlook Nature Trail

This mowed grass trail winds a total of one-third mile over the prairie grass-covered hills where a spectacular panoramic view of the Souris River valley will unfold before you. Benches are available.

Pelican Nature Trail

This trail offers a one-half mile interpretive hike to the Pool A Spillway. You are welcome to use the photo blind at the end of the trail to "hide" and let the wildlife come to you.

Cottonwood Nature Trail

This trail is named for the large number of cottonwood trees planted in the late-1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corp. It consists of two mowed grass loops. The first loop is one-half mile long and features a scenic overlook with a bench. The second loop is one mile long and continues from the overlook area west through the coulee and around the surrounding ridges.  

Centennial Wildlife Nature Trail

Located at the north end of Renville County Memorial Park, this mowed grass trail meanders through bottomland grasslands. The trail length will depend upon how wet the meadows are, but it will be from 2 to 2-½ miles round-trip.