Join a Park Ranger for a morning walk at one of five locations along the Mississippi River. Ranger walks will be held every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., starting June 10 and going through the end of September. There are three regular routes and three special birding routes.

2009 Dates & Locations

Our Ranger River Walks have ended for the 2009 season. Please check back next spring for additional information.

Route Information

Coon Rapids Dam
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Fall migration is well underway in late September. Join Ranger Sharon on the west side of Coon Rapids to watch for migrating ducks, warblers, sparrows, raptors, other migrants, and birds that will winter here as well.

Crosby Farm Regional Park
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The Mississippi River is migration super highway for fall migrants making Crosby Farm Regional Park a birding hotspot. The birds stop at Crosby to feed and rest, as they do at other locations along the Mississippi River, before continuing their migration southward. Join Ranger Sharon to find hawks, ducks, elusive warblers, winter residents, and to have a great time exploring the wildlife of your Mississippi River.

Lilydale Regional Park
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Meet at the Brickyard parking lot. Lilydale Regional Park is a wonderful place to experience all the nature the Mississippi has to offer from forest, to a backwater lake, to bald eagles and ancient fossils. Learn too about the geology that made this place perfect for brick making.

Minnehaha Falls
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You've probably seen the falls before, but this walk will guide you on an exploration of the area below the falls as Minnehaha Creek flows to the Mississippi River.

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary
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This 29 acre park is being restored to its native plant communities and the wildlife is returning. During the walk, rangers will interpret the natural and cultural history of the old rail yard turned nature sanctuary.