Intermediate Hiking Series: Rapids Lake

When it comes to outdoor recreation, hiking is a great way to see new spots and get movement into your day! If you feel ready to take it to the next level, join refuge staff for a guided intermediate hike on our Rapids Lake trail. For this program, we will teach you how to turn baseline hiking into a more intense activity by showing you around the Rapids Lake unit - an area packed with an interesting natural history.

We will be walking for a distance of about 2 miles at a steady pace with no scheduled breaks. Experience in hiking is recommended to have before going to this program. If you are unsure about your skill level, you can join our Intro to Hiking programs held throughout the year. 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 staff led, intermediate-intense hike will be fully outdoors and will cover about 2-2.5 miles in 1.5 hours. There are no scheduled breaks, but we will always stop if someone sees something interesting in the landscape.

Meet us: Meet us at the Rapids Lake Visitor Center.
15865 Rapids Lake Rd, Carver, MN 55315

What to bring: We recommend that you wear closed-toed shoes and bring sunscreen, bug spray and a full water bottle with you.

Accessibility: Restrooms and a water bottle filler are available inside the visitor center. There is an outdoor restroom, but no outdoor water fountains. There is dedicated handicap parking available. The Rapids Lake Trail and Forest Loop are flat natural surface paths and the trail leading to both is paved with a slight downward slope. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter). Paths may not always be suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. It is a 0.1-0.2 mile walk to get to the trailhead from the parking lot. There are no rest areas along the trails, but are present inside and outside the visitor center.

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.