쉬운 밀 락스 카운티 하이킹 및 워킹 코스

This hike is comprised of two separate loops joined by a short connecting trail. There used to be an old wooden country schoolhouse located on the School House Loop, which then was repurposed as a visitor center. Sadly, the original schoolhouse has been torn down. However, it was replaced by a modern visitor center that has information about the refuge as well as plenty of parking and bathroom facilities.

The location of this highlight has an observation hide, as shown in the photos. When we visited the site, the hide was open and available.

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is a 30,000 acre nature preserve. The preserve was created to protect migratory birds and other endangered species native to the area. There are miles of hiking trails through the park and several lakes.

The Mahnomen Trail is a great trail in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. It is a loop trail that takes you through prairie, oak savanna and wetland habitats. The trail is popular for hiking and snowshoeing in the winter.

Nice view of the School House Pool. It is a great place for a beak to admire the pool and wetlands that surround you. This is also a popular spot for bird watching.

The Black Bear Loop Trail is a popular trail in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. The trail is made of crushed granite and flat, so it is not a challenging walk.

Nice view of Buck Lake from the Blue Hill Trail. Buck Lake is one of several lakes in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. The lake is home to a variety of wildlife, including swans and ducks, so it is a popular spot for birdwatchers.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has developed a Hiking Club program that features a trail in each of its 68 state parks and recreational areas (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/clubs.html). Sometimes the trailhead for these hikes can be tricky to find, so here is the trailhead for the Father Hennepin State Park Hiking Club trail. There is a marker with a password somewhere along the length of the trail, but I am not going to reveal that. You have to find it yourself!