Sax-Zim Bog

One 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