Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake

Event Description: Want to enjoy an evening of free summer hiking but don't know where to start? Well, look no further - the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge has got you covered. Meet us at the Bloomington Visitor Center for a stroll along our Long Meadow Lake trail. With floodplain forests and marsh abound, a guided hike with refuge staff is the perfect excuse to start your hiking journey.

No experience necessary! You bring good hiking shoes and a water bottle - we'll cover the rest. This hike will be at a medium to slow pace with breaks built in. Registration is optional.

Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900 (press 1 to reach Visitor Services).

Registration Information: Registration optional here: https://signup.com/go/gPPrWjW
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: This program is a staff led, easy-medium, outdoors activity and will cover between 1-1.5 miles of trail. We will walk at a slow to medium pace and will be taking frequent breaks throughout the program.

Meet us: Meet us at 5:30PM in front of the Bloomington Visitor Center main doors.
Address: 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN 55425

What to bring: We recommend that you bring a pair of good, close toed shoes for walking, bug spray, sunscreen, and a water bottle.

Accessibility: Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center. Handicap parking and dropoff available.

Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches in the trail area. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 mile distance from the parking lot.

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.