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
- 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
Scroll table right to see more »| 04/17/24 | Beautiful Bluebirds: Drop-In Table | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 04/18/24 | American Woodcock Watch | Afton State Park | |
| 04/20/24 | Migration Mania | William O'Brien State Park | |
| 04/20/24 | Spring Birding Hike | Blue Mounds State Park | |
| 04/20/24 | Hike in the Big Woods | Nerstrand Big Woods State Park | |
| 04/25/24 | American Woodcock Watch | Afton State Park | |
| 04/26/24 | Nature Cart with a Naturalist | Minneopa State Park | |
| 04/27/24 | EarthFest 2024 | Wild River State Park | |
| 04/27/24 | Signs of Spring Hike | Itasca State Park | |
| 04/27/24 | I Speak Bird | William O'Brien State Park | |
| 04/27/24 | Invasive Naturalist tent | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 04/27/24 | Walk for Glendalough | Glendalough State Park | |
| 04/28/24 | Animal Tracks for Kids | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 05/02/24 | Lil' Park PEEPS - Bird Explorers | Jay Cooke State Park | |
| 05/03/24 | Bird Walk | Wild River State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | Bird Walk - Campground | Frontenac State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | Relaxing Birding by the River | Interstate State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | Bird Walk | Wild River State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | Birds of Wild River | Wild River State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | The Story Tree: Have You Heard the Nesting Bird? | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | Animal Signs Hike | Blue Mounds State Park | |
| 05/04/24 | Birding for Beginners | William O'Brien State Park | |
| 05/10/24 | Flyway Connection: Drop-in Table | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 05/11/24 | Take Flight! Spotting Spring Birds-PROGRAM UPDATED | Itasca State Park | |
| 05/11/24 | Bird Sounds Scavenger Hunt | Interstate State Park | |
| 05/11/24 | Bird Walk | Wild River State Park | |
| 05/11/24 | Wildlife Mamas and Babies Hike | Blue Mounds State Park | |
| 05/11/24 | A walk in the park | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 05/11/24 | Gateway Trail Bird Walk | Gateway State Trail | |
| 05/11/24 | Gateway Trail Bird Walk | Gateway State Trail | |
| 05/11/24 | Science in Action: Bird Banding | St. Croix State Park | |
| 05/12/24 | Floodplain Walk | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 05/18/24 | Take Flight! Spotting Spring Birds | Itasca State Park | |
| 05/18/24 | Bog Discovery: Ask a Naturalist | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 05/18/24 | Bald Eagles: Guardians of the Sky | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 05/18/24 | Dawn Chorus - A Bird Listening Event 5:15 am-6:15 am | Gateway State Trail | |
| 05/18/24 | Little Sit Bird Watch | Gateway State Trail | |
| 05/19/24 | Secrets of Skulls: Investigation Station | Interstate State Park | |
| 05/25/24 | Afternoon Hike | Sibley State Park | |
| 05/25/24 | Skin and Bones | Sibley State Park | |
| 05/25/24 | Nature at Night! Hike | Flandrau State Park | |
| 05/25/24 | Bats: Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood | St. Croix State Park | |
| 05/26/24 | Falcons, Live! | Frontenac State Park | |
| 05/26/24 | Cats Vs. Dogs | Sibley State Park | |
| 05/26/24 | After the flood | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 05/26/24 | Bald Eagles: Guardians of the Sky | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 05/27/24 | Morning Bird Hike | Sibley State Park | |
| 05/27/24 | Eyes to the Skies Nature Cart | Interstate State Park | |
| 05/31/24 | Sunset in the park | Fort Snelling State Park | |
| 05/31/24 | Birding for Beginners | Sibley State Park | |
| 06/01/24 | Secrets of Skulls: Investigation Station | Interstate State Park | |
| 06/02/24 | Cats Vs. Dogs | Sibley State Park | |
| 06/08/24 | Bird Walk - Campground | Frontenac State Park | |
| 06/08/24 | Fur Detectives | Big Bog State Recreation Area | |
| 06/10/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 06/15/24 | Cats Vs. Dogs | Sibley State Park | |
| 06/15/24 | Bald Eagles: Guardians of the Sky | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 06/17/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 06/21/24 | Birding for Beginners | Sibley State Park | |
| 06/22/24 | Prairie Loop Bird Walk | Frontenac State Park | |
| 06/22/24 | Feathered Friends: Birdwatching for Beginners | Big Bog State Recreation Area | |
| 06/24/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 06/28/24 | Hike the Night | Sibley State Park | |
| 06/29/24 | Cats Vs. Dogs | Sibley State Park | |
| 06/29/24 | Bald Eagles: Guardians of the Sky | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 07/01/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 07/04/24 | Bald Eagles: Guardians of the Sky | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 07/13/24 | Bird Walk - Campground | Frontenac State Park | |
| 07/15/24 | Eyes on the Skies: Birds as Indicators of Ecosystem Health, Nature of Science Series | Itasca State Park | |
| 07/15/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 07/20/24 | Outstanding Owls | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 07/22/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 07/27/24 | Sand Point Bird Walk | Frontenac State Park | |
| 07/27/24 | Beaver Buddies | Big Bog State Recreation Area | |
| 07/29/24 | Nature Tots | Interstate State Park | |
| 08/10/24 | Bird Walk - Campground | Frontenac State Park | |
| 08/17/24 | Beaver Buddies | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 08/17/24 | Feathered Friends: Birdwatching for Beginners | Lake Bemidji State Park | |
| 08/24/24 | Prairie Loop Bird Walk | Frontenac State Park | |
| 09/01/24 | Falcons, Live! | Frontenac State Park | |
| 09/14/24 | Bird Walk - Campground | Frontenac State Park | |
| 09/28/24 | Sand Point Bird Walk | Frontenac State Park | |
| 10/19/24 | Bird Walk - Campground | Frontenac State Park | |
| 11/09/24 | Sand Point Bird Walk | Frontenac State Park | |
| 12/07/24 | Sand Point Bird Walk | Frontenac 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.