Winter wildlife in Minnesota state parks

Birding in winter

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

Red squirrel track

  • 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 »
11/11/26 A.L.P.s at Whitewater - Tundra Swans Whitewater State Park
11/13/26 Discovery Table - The Bear Necessities Jay Cooke State Park
11/14/26 What Goes on Inside a Beaver Pond - Nature Storytime Fort Snelling State Park
11/14/26 Discovery Table - Take a Look at Bones Jay Cooke State Park
11/14/26 Birding in the Big Woods Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/14/26 White-Tailed Deer Nature Table Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/15/26 Fun with Furs Jay Cooke State Park
11/21/26 Science of Skulls Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
11/21/26 Nature Craft Table: Soaring Silhouettes Fort Snelling State Park
11/21/26 Am Autumn walk in the park Fort Snelling State Park
11/21/26 Track Tales Afton State Park Visitor Center
11/21/26 Rare, Common, or Invasive Nature Table William O'Brien State Park
11/21/26 Whose Tracks are these? Sibley State Park
11/21/26 Who's Still Here? Late Fall Birding Hike Fort Snelling State Park
11/22/26 Animal Tracks for kids Fort Snelling State Park
11/22/26 Abandoned Homes Fort Snelling State Park
11/24/26 Winter Wandering Phenology Club Fort Snelling State Park
11/25/26 Nature Story Time Afton State Park Visitor Center
11/25/26 Creature Feature: Bird Edition! Afton State Park Visitor Center
11/27/26 Family Nature Walk Minneopa State Park
11/27/26 Woodpecker Walk & Talk (best for ages 4 to adult) Wild River State Park
11/28/26 Backyard Birding (all ages) William O'Brien State Park
11/28/26 Family Nature Walk Flandrau State Park
11/28/26 Animal Tracking Activities (indoor, great for ages 3-adult) Wild River State Park
12/04/26 Nature Story Time: Follow the Flyway Fort Snelling State Park
12/05/26 Rare, Common, or Invasive Nature Table William O'Brien State Park
12/06/26 Winter Bird Feeding Tips Fort Snelling State Park
12/06/26 Fitness and phenology Walk Fort Snelling State Park
12/08/26 Winter Wandering Phenology Club Fort Snelling State Park
12/12/26 Backyard Birding (all ages) William O'Brien State Park
12/12/26 Nature Storytime: Over and Under the Snow Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
12/15/26 Itasca State Park Winter Bird Count Itasca State Park
12/18/26 Nature Storytime: On the Shortest Day Fort Snelling State Park
12/19/26 Whose Tracks are these? Sibley State Park
12/20/26 Coming of Winter Fort Snelling State Park
12/22/26 Winter Wandering Phenology Club Fort Snelling State Park
12/26/26 Bird Beak Explorers- Nature Table William O'Brien State Park
12/26/26 Animal Detectives Nature Table William O'Brien 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.

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