Visit Us
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Once the domain of homesteaders, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge now supports a diversity of animals from wood ducks to black bears. Restored prairie, forest and pothole habitats provide a haven for wildlife and people alike.
Driving Directions
From the north, take U.S. Hwy 2 to Polk CR 210. Travel south on Polk CR 210 approximately 2.5 miles to the refuge entrance.
From the south, take U.S. Hwy 59 to Polk CR 41. Turn west on Polk CR 41 and follow the signs approximately nine miles to the refuge entrance.
From the west, take MN 32 to Polk CR 41. Travel east on Polk CR 41, then travel north on Polk CR 210 approximately three miles to the refuge entrance.
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Restrooms are available inside the refuge headquarters, visitor contact station and comfort station in the headquarters parking lot and fishing pier.
Know Before You Go
When planning a trip to the refuge, it is important to wear appropriate footwear for hiking and to dress for the weather. Consider bringing water, food, binoculars, field guides, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and anything else that might make the outdoor experience more enjoyable. Don’t forget your camera!
Activities
The refuge visitor center provides information about refuge wildlife and serves as the starting point for the seven miles of paved and gravel trails. Five trails are open to hiking, bicycling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Observation blinds and gazebos on the trails offer opportunities to watch and photograph wildlife. Transportation for people with disabilities is available by prior arrangement.
Trails
Golden Pond Trail
Open season: Open year round. Walking, running and biking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Length: 1.5 miles
Location of trail: Begins and ends at visitor center contact station
Surface: Paved, boardwalk, ADA compliant
Difficulty: Easy
Information: Travels past hardwood forest and restored prairie, along a wetland, through a willow swale and past Swan Lake. The trail provides excellent bird watching in the spring and fall. Yellow and showy ladyslippers grow near Swan Lake in the spring.
Sundew Bog Boardwalk
Open season: Open year round. Walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Location of trail: Located off of the Golden Pond Trail
Surface: Boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy
Information: The boardwalk takes you into Sundew Bog, a boggy area that supports regionally rare plants such as the insect-eating round-leafed sundew. Visitors can touch sphagnum moss and see tamarack trees.
Round Lake Trail
Open season: Open year round. Walking, running, biking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Length: 1 mile
Location of trail: Alongside Round Lake, connected to Rice Lake and Golden Pond Trails
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy
Information: The Round Lake Trail winds through the largest wooded area on the refuge and past a site managed for ruffed grouse. It continues by a wetland popular with wood ducks, alongside Round Lake and past several native prairie restoration sites and a small patch of native prairie.
Rice Lake Trail
Open season: Open year round. Walking, running, biking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Length: .5 mile
Location of trail: Connected to Round Lake and Golden Pond trails
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy
Information: Skirts a wetland that fills with wild rice in late summer and waterfowl during the fall migration
Church Lake Trail
Open season: Open year round. Walking, running, biking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Length: 1 mile
Location of trail: Connected to The Golden Pond Trail
Surface: Paved
Difficulty: Easy
Information: The Church Lake Trail winds along a large wetland and marsh and through a hardwood forest dominated by ironwood trees. These small trees have uncommonly durable wood, often used for tool handles, fence posts and tent stakes.
Tamarac Lake Trail
Open season: Open year round. Walking, running, biking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Length: 2.25 miles
Location of trail: Circles Tamarac Lake, connected to Round Lake Trail
Surface: Gravel
Difficulty: Easy
Information: The trail circles its namesake and passes many tallgrass prairie restorations that sport native wildflowers from spring to fall. It continues by a clearing managed for ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer and an ironwood stand. An accessible fishing pier provides opportunities to cast a line. A spur trail leads to a log homestead once occupied by a family of five.
Related Documents
Additional Rydell maps and information
Other Facilities in the Complex
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge is administered out of the Rydell National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. Staff are shared between these refuges. Rydell and Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuges are complexed with Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge and the Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District.
Rules and Policies
Welcome to your national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge . Discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife, walk, bicycle, cross-country ski and snowshoe. Enjoy spending time outdoors alone or with friends and family. Please consult the refuge manager at 218-687-2229 if you have questions. We may post additional site-specific regulations. To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be aware of regulations.