Intermediate Hiking: Rapids Lake Unit

Are you ready to take it to the next level of hiking? Get out in nature with refuge staff for our Intermediate Hiking program where we enhance the hiking experience by exploring at a slightly briskier pace on some unpaved trails. This hike takes place in the beautiful Oak Savannah in our Rapids Lake unit. Registration is NOT required. Sign up for reminders and cancellation updates.

Registration Information: 25 spots are open for optional registration through https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/108391542095/false?popup=true#/invitation

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: Active. We will be walking on unpaved, unplowed trails that are slippery when wet and are abundant with long grasses, for up to 2 miles. We will be taking a few breaks.

Meet us: Meet us at the Jonathan Parkway North Hunter Parking Lot.

What to bring: Good walking shoes that could handle muddy conditions, water, and appropriate clothing. We recommend bringing SPF 30 suncreen or higher. For tick protection, we recommend insecet repllent and wearing long socks to tuck pant legs into. Monitor weather forecast and be prepared for the temperature and precipitation. A cancellation notice will be sent via email to registered participants in the event of severe weather. If you are not registered, please monitor our website, SignUp, or MeetUp page.

Accessibility: Vault toilets will be available and there is a parking lot. There are no water fountains at this location; the nearest water bottle filling stations is at our Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center (952) 361-4500), open Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. The trail is not paved and is surrounded by tall grasses. May be slippery when wet. Please check the weather before arriving. Cancelation notices will be sent out to those who register before hand.

Accommodation: 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 oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.