Join the Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge to Find Your Wild!
Welcome to Find Your Wild! Previously known as Walk for the Wild, Find Your Wild is a nationwide event that lets you pick your favorite way to support the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting three events this year to celebrate Find Your Wild!
- We Are Water Opening Reception
- Intermediate Hiking: Lyndale/Sorenson Landing
- Intro to Hiking: Rapids Lake (N. Hunter Lot)
For more information about these events, see the Event Details section below. For any additional questions about these events, contact [email protected].
Event Details:
Event #1 鈥� We Are Water Opening Reception
Date and Time: Saturday, October 11th from 10 am - 5 pm
Location: Meet us throughout the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center
Join us to celebrate the arrival of the We Are Water exhibit with water-based activities, exhibits, and self-led exploration for all ages!
We Are Water MN is a traveling exhibit and community engagement program that builds relationships between people and water. It is an interactive exhibit. There are spaces for people to talk with their neighbors, add their own stories and water actions, and learn from video and audio stories. There are also puzzles, puppets, and kids鈥� books so the littlest learners can participate too!
"We are Water MN" is led by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency; the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.
We are Water MN is funded in part with money from the Clean Water, Land, & Legacy Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008 and by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
This is a Find Your Wild event celebrating National Wildlife Refuge week. Learn more information here.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: There is no registration for this event.
Activity Level: This event is largely indoors, with the opportunity to move throughout the visitor center to various locations and activities.
What to Bring: Comfortable clothing is recommended.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Bloomington Visitor Center:
Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center. Handicap parking and dropoff available. Visitor center is flat aggregate or carpeted flooring with ramps to access all areas. There are benches and rest areas around the visitor center.
Hillside and Spur trails are natural surface with has steep slopes, with a wooden staircase for a portion of it. Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via these sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. 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 trail area. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 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 [email protected].
Event #2 鈥� Intermediate Hiking
Date and Time: Sunday, October 12th 2025 from 1-2:30 PM
Location: Meet us at the kiosk at Lyndale/Sorenson Landing,
Are you wanting to get more into hiking but are having a hard time finding trails? Well, we're here to show you the way!
This Intermediate Hiking program is designed for beginner hikers to take it to the next level with the guidance of refuge staff. Over 1.5 hours we will be walking 3 miles on a refuge trail with no scheduled breaks. Registration is optional.
This is a Find Your Wild event celebrating National Wildlife Refuge week. Learn more information here.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: Registration optional through
Optional registration allows us to prepare supplies and materials for the program, send reminders, and allows us to contact you in the event of inclement weather!
Activity Level: This is an intermediate-moderate active program. Prior experience with hiking is recommended since we will be covering 3 miles in 1.5 hours with no planned breaks.
What to Bring: Please bring a full water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. We recommend wearing long pants, close-toed shoes and weather appropriate clothing.
Accessibility: Restrooms and water fountains are available seasonally, from last frost to first frost typically. The restrooms are managed by the City of Bloomington. There is dedicated handicap parking. A portable restroom is available on site. Bluff and Hogback Ridge trails are nature surface. Bluff trail features a wooden boardwalk and has many steep inclines and declines approximately 0.25 miles in, but connects to the Minnesota Valley State trail 3.4 miles in, which is a flat and paved path. The pedestrian bridge is a flat concrete path. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There are no benches on the trails, but rest areas are located at the pavilion, Nature Play Area, and fishing pier. Trailhead 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 [email protected].
Event #3 鈥� Intro to Hiking
Date and Time: Saturday, October 18th, 2025 from 1-2:30 PM
Location: Meet us at the kiosk at the North Hunter Lot trailhead.
Believe it or not, the fall is often the perfect time of year to hike! With a chill breeze, bird migration, and gorgeous colors, our Intro to Hiking program makes for a prime excuse to get outside and enjoy the autumn season!
With the guidance of refuge staff and volunteers, you will be walking about 2 miles on a trail in the refuge system. This program is for all ages and more information on the trails can be found in the Accessibility section. Registration is optional.
This is a Find Your Wild event celebrating National Wildlife Refuge week. Learn more information here.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).
Registration Information: Registration optional through
Optional registration allows us to prepare supplies and materials for the program, send reminders, and allows us to contact you in the event of inclement weather!
Activity Level: This is an easy-moderate active program. No prior experience necessary. We will be covering 2 miles over 1.5 hours with some breaks. Information on trail conditions can be found in the Accessibility Section
What to Bring: Please bring a full water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray. We recommend you wear long pants, close-toed shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
Accessibility: Accessibility at Louisville Swamp North Trailhead (Main Parking Area):
Restrooms are located at the parking lot. There are no water fountains or dedicated handicap parking. Trail is unpaved amongst tall grass. 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 trail area. Trailhead is a <0.1 mile distance from the parking lot. There are no benches or rest areas in the area.
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 [email protected].