Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Open Season: Year round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is off of Sherburne County Road 9, 1.2 miles west of refuge headquarters
Surface: Natural, Bridges
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms, observation decks and benches along the trail
Information: Five miles in total, this hiking trail has three loops that take you through prairie, oak savanna and coniferous habitats. Venture up to the overlook for a vista of the surrounding area, as Blue Hill is the highest point in Sherburne County. This is also the place on the refuge to spot natural rock deposits left behind by glaciers.

Open Season: Year round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is off of Sherburne County Road 9, 0.2 miles east of refuge headquarters
Surface: Natural, Boardwalk
Amenities: Parking lot, restroom, benches along the trail
Information: Three miles in total, this hiking trail has three loops that take you through prairie, oak savanna and wetland habitats. Prime for birding, the edge habitat and trail are popular during spring and fall migrations. This trail is open to hunting only during the November firearm deer season, with signage posted at the trailhead alerting visitors during that time frame. During the winter months, it is groomed for classic cross-country skiing when snow levels are sufficient.

Open Season: Year round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trail begins at the Oak Savanna Learning Center and can be accessed from the Overlook Loop Trail or the Black Bear Pond Trail
Surface: Crushed granite, Accessible
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms, bench along trail
Information: This nearly half-mile trail is a part of the Oak Savanna Learning Center trails and loops through oak savanna, prairie and wetland habitats.

Open Season: Year round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trail begins at the parking lot on Black Bear Loop Access Road and can be accessed from the Beaver Lodge Loop Trail
Surface: Crushed granite, Accessible
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms, benches along trail, observation blind
Information: This one-mile trail is a part of the Oak Savanna Learning Center trails and take your through oak savanna, prairie, deciduous forest and wetland habitats. The observation blind is a popular spot for photography and wildlife watching.

Open Season: Year round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trail begins at the parking lot on School House Road near Sherburne County Road 9 and can also be accessed from Overlook Loop Trail
Surface: Natural, Bridge
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms
Information: This half-mile trail is a part of the Oak Savanna Learning Center trails and takes you through deciduous forest habitat. During the spring and fall migration, this area is a hotspot for songbirds.

Open Season: Year round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trail begins at the Oak Savanna Learning Center and can be accessed from the Old School House Loop Trail and the Beaver Lodge Loop Trail
Surface: Crushed granite, Accessible
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms, observation dock, bench along trail
Information: This quarter-mile trail is a part of the Oak Savanna Learning Center trails and has oak savanna and wetland habitats. The floating dock is a popular destination.

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Bur Oak Welcome Station on the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive (access by vehicle spring through fall)
Surface: Crushed granite, Accessible
Amenities: Parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables, bench, kiosk, observation decks
Information: This short trail takes you through oak savanna, a habitat that has become rare within the state. This flat loop is accessible and there are two picnic tables located near or on the trail.

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is at mile 1.5 of the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive (access by vehicle spring through fall)
Surface: Crushed granite, Boardwalk, Accessible
Amenities: Parking area
Information: This trail meanders through open prairie and scattered oak savanna. During the late spring, summer and fall, the colors and blooms change weekly and buzz with bees and butterflies. Visit in early to mid-June to see the wild lupine at peak bloom.

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is at mile 5.2 of the Prairie’s Edge Wildlife Drive (access by vehicle spring through fall)
Surface: Crushed granite, Accessible
Amenities: Parking area
Information: This trail loops through deciduous forest habitat and is a hotspot for warblers and songbirds during spring and fall migrations.

Open Season: September 1 to February 28 - walking in the fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Open to biking.
Location of trail: There are two trailheads. The trailhead on Brande Road can be accessed by vehicle September 1 to winter closure. Brande Road parking is located 2.6 miles north from the intersection of Brande Road and Sherburne County Road 9. The trailhead on Sherburne County Road 3 is located 2.3 miles east from the intersection of Sherburne County Road 3 and Sherburne County Road 5.
Surface: Gravel
Amenities: Parking lots

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is off Sherburne County Road 4, 1 mile east of the intersection of Sherburne County Road 1 and Sherburne County Road 4
Surface: Natural
Amenities: Parking lot

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is at mile 4.5 of the Prairie's Edge Wildlife Drive (access by vehicle spring through fall)
Surface: Natural
Amenities: Parking lot, Observation deck

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is off 25th St SE, 0.5 miles east of the intersection of Sherburne County Road 11 and Sherburne County Road 86
Surface: Natural
Amenities: Parking lot

Open Season: Year-round - walking spring to fall, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Not open to biking.
Location of trail: Trailhead is off Sherburne County Road 1, 1.5 miles north of the intersection of Sherburne County Road 1 and Sherburne County Road 4
Surface: Natural, Stairs
Amenities: Parking lot