Birding & Wildlife Viewing on the Iron Range
Big Aspen Recreation AreaThis scenic trail system includes 20 miles of trails ideal for mountain biking and hiking. Using old logging roads and abandoned railroad grades, this trail system is also excellent for beginner and intermediate cross-country skiers. There is also a 26-mile trail system for ATV vehicles that winds through beautiful scenery of the Superior National Forest.Diverse wildlife, and large pine and hardwood forests make this a popular scenic trail system. Find scenic overlooks over the Rice River Valley and a wide range of plant and animal species. Watch for whitetail deer, black bear, fox, raccoon and moose, or view eagles, hawks and various birds. This trail system makes for a pleasant hike, ski or ATV ride in a remote wilderness area not far from Virginia. The Big Aspen Recreation Area provides many opportunities to witness the natural beauty of northeastern Minnesota. Individual maps are available by calling the Laurentian Ranger District Office. Riding is allowed May 1st through November 20th only. Directions: Take US Highway 53 north of Virginia for eight miles to County (State Aid) Road 131. Turn right on 131, go north for one mile, and then turn left on County (State Aid) Road 68. Go west for .3 mile. Go straight on County Road 405 and go north for two miles. A parking area is located on the left side of the road. A second parking area is 1.3 miles north on Forest Road 257. Forest Road 257 is not maintained in the winter. Click here to receive a free Big Aspen Recreation Area Brochure. Big Aspen Recreation Area Laurentian Ranger District 318 Forestry Road Aurora, MN 55705 218-229-8800 |
Bird Lake Recreation AreaLocated five miles southeast of Hoyt Lakes on the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, Bird Lake offers nine miles of trails that are excellent for beginner and intermediate-level cross-country skiers and hikers. Trails are groomed and tracked for winter recreation and provide great summer hiking opportunities. There are picnic sites and diverse trees and wildlife, including dense stands of black spruce, bogs and hills of aspen and birch. Latrine available on-site. Wildlife viewing possibilities include moose, fox, beaver, bald eagles and great gray owls.Two parking areas offer easy access. A canoe carry-down is available. Take Country Road 110 from Hoyt Lakes (Superior National Forest Scenic Byway) to the Bird Lake parking lot. Located on the left-north side. For more information, contact the Laurentian Ranger District at 318 Forestry Road, Aurora, MN 55705 or call 218-229-8800. Click here for a FREE Iron Range Cross-Country Skiing Brochure. Bird Lake Recreation Area Laurentian Ranger District 318 Forestry Road Aurora, MN 55705 218-229-8800 |
Great Scott Wildlife Management AreaThis wetland area is home to an excellent cross section of northeastern Minnesota wildlife, including deer, waterfowl, moose, bear, wolves, songbirds, eagles, osprey, loons and fisher.It offers more than three miles of hiking on grassy trails through hilly terrain. Keep an eye out for wildlife, and take an even closer look with binoculars. Travel through an area that provides habitat for wildlife. In the winter, trek through this area with snowshoes and watch for animal tracks and sightings of various wildlife. A small lake is accessible for migratory waterfowl viewing. Directions: Take Hwy. 169 west of Virginia to County Road 453 (Morse Road). Turn left on C.R. 453 and travel south for about 2.3 miles. Great Scott WMA is located on the left-hand side. Walking access only. |
International Wolf Center in ElyAt the International Wolf Center in Ely, a stunning and informative series of exhibits chronicles the history of the wolf as it evolved in nature as well as its role in the many cultures familiar with this sometimes idolized, often demonized animal. The Center's own wolf pack, which includes two Arctic wolves, may be viewed by visitors as an interpreter describes the wolves' behavior and discusses the many myths and legends surrounding the wolf and its subspecies. Special feeding and tracking sessions are available. Also, shop for nature- and wolf-themed clothing, fine art and craft items at the Center's gift shop. Opened in 1993, the International Wolf Center was originally designed to house the award-winning exhibit "Wolves and Humans," which first appeared at the Science Museum of Minnesota and went on to tour 19 U.S. Iron Range cities and reach more than 2.5 million people. Directions: Follow Highway 53 approximately four miles north of Virginia to Highway 169. Exit right on Hwy. 169 heading east toward Ely (approximately 46 miles). Follow the highway through downtown Ely and look for the Center at the edge of town on the right-hand side. Admission: Open May-June, September-October, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; July-August, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; November-April, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission packages start at $7.00 for adults and teens. Ages 6-12 - $3.25, and children under 6 admitted for free. Seniors - $6.00. Admission is free for members. Group tours and children's groups welcome, but groups of 15 or more should make appointment. Rates subject to change. To learn more, visit the International Wolf Center website. International Wolf Center 1396 Hwy 169 Ely, MN 55731 800-ELY-WOLF http://www.wolf.org/wolves/ |
Laurentian Divide Recreation Area - Lookout MountainThe Laurentian Divide runs along the crest of low, rocky hills and divides the Red River and Rainy River basins from the Minnesota River and Lake Superior basins. Streams on the north slope of the divide flow through Canada to Hudson Bay. On the south side of the divide, streams flow south to Lake Superior or on to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.The Laurentian Divide Recreation Area serves as a trail head for Lookout Mountain hiking and ski trails, including a half mile fitness trail with seven exercise stations. The recreation area offers picnic tables, grills and restrooms. Sixteen kilometers of scenic groomed cross-country trails wind through and around the Divide. The Laurentian Snowmobile Trail has nearby access (one quarter mile north) and provides entry onto the Taconite Trail System and access to more than 2,000 miles of trails. Eight kilometers of back country hiking trails lead you to the top of Lookout Mountain for an unbelievable vista, especially in the fall. For more information, contact the Laurentian Ranger District, 218-229-8800. Features:
Wildlife & Birding: View eagles, migrating hawks, owls, deer, fox and snowshoe hare. Geology: The Laurentian Divide runs along the crest of low, rocky hills and divides the Red River and Rainy River basins from the Minnesota River and Lake Superior basins. Streams on the north slope of the divide flow through Canada to Hudson Bay and on to the Arctic Ocean. On the opposite side of the divide, streams flow south to Lake Superior and the Atlantic Ocean or the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Picnicking: The picnic area and information kiosk were built by the U.S. Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The area is accessible to all persons. There are four picnic sites, grills, interpretive signs and restrooms. Trails: This area serves as the trailhead for the Lookout Mountain Hiking and Ski Trails including a half-mile Fitness Trail with seven exercise stations. The ski trail is groomed by volunteers and is funded for maintenance as a Grant-in-Aid trail requiring a ski pass. This is also a popular hiking trail (check the maps for wet areas to avoid). A snowmobile parking lot is located 1/4 mile north of this trailhead. If that lot is full, snowmobilers are welcome to park at the Divide but must access the Laurentian Snowmobile Trail by driving north alongside Highway 53. Click here to receive a free Laurentian Divide Brochure. Click here for a free cross-country skiing brochure. Laurentian Divide Recreation Area Laurentian Ranger District 318 Forestry Road Aurora, MN 55705 218-229-8800 |
Pike River Fish HatcheryThe Pike River Fish Hatchery on Lake Vermilion offers a fascinating look at how the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources keeps our lakes stocked with thriving walleye.Each spring a small portion of the Lake Vermilion walleye make their way up the Pike River to spawn. Spawning usually begins in April, when the water temperature approaches 45 degrees, and lasts for approximately two weeks. Workers at the Pike River Hatchery collect and combine eggs and milk from the walleye. Each season approximately 100 million eggs are taken, and about 75 million fertilized eggs are hatched into walleye fry. Fry hatch from the eggs in three weeks. Approximately 15 million fry are released into Lake Vermilion each spring - the remainder of the Pike River Hatchery fry are stocked into other lakes in Minnesota. Morning is the best time to observe the activities of the hatchery from an observation platform. Group tours require a reservation. For more information call (218) 753-5692 or (218) 365-7280. Directions: Travel on Hwy. 53 north of Virginia approximately four miles. Take a right on Highway 169 heading east toward Tower to County (State Aid) Road 77. Turn left on C.R. 77 (across from Y Store) heading north. Go a half-mile to Pike River. The Pike River dam will be on the left. Entrance to the Pike River Fish Hatchery will be on the right hand side, 200 yards past the dam on Angus Road. Area Fish & Wildlife Office 1429 Grant Momahan Blvd. Ely, MN 218-365-7280 |
Sax-Zim BogOne of the top birding locations in the Midwest, this conifer bog is 10 minutes south of Eveleth. Easily accessible to bird watchers, who can glimpse yellow rail, great gray owl, snowy owl, yellow-bellied flycatcher, boreal chickadee, sedge wren, and LeConte's sparrow. Much of the bog can be easily viewed by automobile or by hiking. Hibbing Area Public Recreation Information Maps showing public and private lands are available from the Minnesota DNR. 1-888-MINNDNR or click here.Why is this area special? Accessible yet vast conifer bog areas are not common in Minnesota, but one is located a mere three-hour drive from the Twin Iron Range cities. This area covers approximately 200 square miles, so it can accommodate you if you're just passing through or if you want to stay a few days. There are three separate wildlife management areas located here. Sax-Zim has long been known to birders as an excellent spot to see northern wildlife. The habitat consists of a mix of spruce, tamarack and northern white cedar bogs. There are also lowland hardwood species such as black ash, as well as isolated hayfields and sedge meadows. You can see these from various township and county roads or you can venture out into the bogs themselves. You might find stemless lady's slippers or other species of bog vegetation such as sundew, pitcher plant, leatherleaf and bog birch. Birds to look for in the winter include northern goshawks, snowy and great gray owls and northern hawk-owls. Summer possibilities include winter wrens, golden-winged warblers, sharp-tail grouse, white-crowned sparrows, Connecticut and pine warblers, yellow-bellied flycatchers, black-backed woodpeckers and gray jays. Recent reports indicate the Black-billed Magpie is wintering and breeding in this area, becoming the most eastern extent of their range. Black bear are common and pine martens and timber wolves have been spotted here. The name Sax-Zim comes from old "towns" in the vicinity: the hamlet of Sax named after an Eveleth man, and Zim named after a Zimmer man who managed a logging camp. Land in the vicinity is both state and privately owned. From County Roads 202 and 203 you can see conifer dependent species such as boreal chickadees. County Road 319, one and a half miles east of County Road 7, is a good place to see yellow rails. Sharp-tailed grouse can sometimes be seen at the junctions of County Roads 208 and 52. Directions: From Eveleth go 4.3 miles on Hwy 53 south to Hwy 37. Turn right on Hwy 37 heading west for about 3.8 miles to County Road 7. Turn left heading south on C.R. 7, and travel 13.1 miles to Sax. This is the heart of the Sax-Zim Bog. Watch closely for wildlife. (Travel the listed county and gravel roads to explore the area including C.R. 28, C.R. 788 & C.R. 213). Maps MN. Highway Coordinate: L 8/9 Prim Area: Hibbing Delorme MN Atlas Grid #:65 A-8, 75 E-8 Click here to order a detailed map. To request a Birding & Wildlife Brochure visit our Free Vacation Guide section. Sax-Zim Bog Forest Ecologist Department of Natural Resources 2005 Highway 37 Eveleth, MN 55734 218-744-7447 |
Vince Shute Wildlife SanctuaryThis unique haven offers travelers a rare glimpse into the world of wild black bears. An observation deck keeps viewers a safe distance from the bears, and offers a close-up view of bear behavior. Trained naturalists are on hand to inform visitors about these wonderful creatures.Vince Shute began feeding bears back in the early 1950's in an effort to prevent their continual break-ins on his cabin in search for food. Previously, the way to get rid of marauding bears was to shoot them, but Vince decided there had to be a better way to get along with his "neighbors." He began placing food outside and eventually developed a mutual trust with them and began to know them individually. By the mid eighties, Vince had become somewhat of a local celebrity and had earned a reputation as "The Bearman." By the fall of 1994, Vince's health began to deteriorate. He became concerned about what would happen to "his" beloved bears should he have to leave his North Woods home. As a means of securing their future, Vince donated his interest in the land to caring friends who offered their help. Surrounding property was subsequently purchased. Today, 360 acres comprise what is now known as the "Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary." On January 6, 1995, The American Bear Association was established as a means of managing and operating this refuge. An observation deck was built where visitors can view the wild bears in a natural setting as they play, eat, climb and hang out in the trees. You might even see a mama bear with her babies. As many as 50 bears have been sighted at one time from the observation deck. Trained naturalists interpret bear behavior as it happens immediately in front of you! Learn the facts about the black bear's biology, ecology, and the habitat needs of this incredibly adaptable animal. The Sanctuary is also an excellent birding area so bring your binoculars. Directions: Travel Highway 53 north to one mile south of Orr, turning left on County Road 23. Continue on CR 23 for 13 miles. Watch for our sign approximately 100 yards past CR 514 on the right. Admission: Memorial Day to Labor Day, 5 p.m. - Dusk, closed Mondays. Free admission; donations accepted. 1-800-357-9255. Group tours & school groups welcome by reservation. To learn more, visit the American Bear Association website. Click here to receive a free Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary Brochure. Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary PO Box 77 Orr, MN 55771 800-357-9255 website |
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