Winter wildlife in Minnesota state parks

Birding in winter

Minnesota winters provide a stunning backdrop to any wildlife viewing.

 

Stop by a Minnesota state park for some great programs on winter birding and how to identify animal tracks in the snow. Check out the snow conditions before you go.

November/December - Visit the Weaver Bottoms along the Mississippi River and watch thousands of migrating tundra swans en route to North Carolina and Virginia. From there, head south to Whitewater State Park to check for wintering bald eagles.

January/February - Try reading mammal tracks in the snow. You might find tracks for white-tailed deer, red fox, or coyotes. Open water along rivers provides habitat for Canada geese, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles.

Helpful tips

Red squirrel track

  • Bring binoculars

  • Go out at dawn and dusk for the best viewing

  • Be alert and move slowly and quietly

  • Search for tracks in the mud or snow

  • Look near the edges of forests and fields, pond margins and treetops

  • Try these wildlife and nature viewing tips

Want some more tips? Check out our nature viewing guide.

Events calendar

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11/05/26Discovery Table: Coyotes, American Prairie WolvesJay Cooke State Park
11/07/26Woodpecker HikeNerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/07/26Exploration Stations: Reading Nature's Signs for KidsFort Snelling State Park
11/07/26Bird walk: Sand PointFrontenac State Park
11/07/26Reading Nature's Signs Fort Snelling State Park
11/08/26Fall birding for beginnersFort Snelling State Park
11/10/26Winter Wandering Phenology ClubFort Snelling State Park
11/11/26A.L.P.s at Whitewater - Tundra SwansWhitewater State Park
11/14/26What Goes on Inside a Beaver Pond - Nature StorytimeFort Snelling State Park
11/14/26Birding in the Big Woods Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/14/26White-Tailed Deer Nature TableNerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/21/26Am Autumn walk in the parkFort Snelling State Park
11/21/26Whose Tracks are these?Sibley State Park
11/21/26Track TalesAfton State Park Visitor Center
11/21/26Rare, Common, or Invasive Nature TableWilliam O'Brien State Park
11/21/26Who's Still Here? Late Fall Birding HikeFort Snelling State Park
11/21/26Science of Skulls Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/21/26Nature Craft Table: Soaring SilhouettesFort Snelling State Park
11/22/26Animal Tracks for kidsFort Snelling State Park
11/22/26Abandoned HomesFort Snelling State Park
11/24/26Winter Wandering Phenology ClubFort Snelling State Park
11/25/26Nature Story TimeAfton State Park Visitor Center
11/25/26Creature Feature: Bird Edition!Afton State Park Visitor Center
11/27/26Family Nature WalkMinneopa State Park
11/27/26Woodpecker Walk & Talk (best for ages 4 to adult)Wild River State Park
11/28/26Backyard Birding (all ages)William O'Brien State Park
11/28/26Animal Tracking Activities (indoor, great for ages 3-adult)Wild River State Park
12/05/26Rare, Common, or Invasive Nature TableWilliam O'Brien State Park
12/08/26Winter Wandering Phenology ClubFort Snelling State Park
12/12/26Nature Storytime: Over and Under the SnowNerstrand Big Woods State Park
12/12/26Backyard Birding (all ages)William O'Brien State Park
12/15/26Itasca State Park Winter Bird Count Itasca State Park
12/18/26Nature Storytime: On the Shortest Day Fort Snelling State Park
12/22/26Winter Wandering Phenology ClubFort Snelling State Park
12/26/26Bird Beak Explorers- Nature TableWilliam O'Brien State Park

Please note: Occasionally, due to extreme weather or poor snow conditions, an event may need to be canceled or changed. When in doubt, call the park.

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