Enjoy the beautiful outdoors when you lace up your hiking boots and explore the trails near Crookston, Minnesota. From seeing native wildlife to expansive prairie vistas, you can check out these stunning natural areas in the Crookston area.
Malmberg Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
Step back in time to see what Minnesota prairies looked like before they were developed for agricultural use when you visit Malmberg Prairie Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) near the Red River Valley. This 80-acre preserve has never been plowed or harvested, so you can see what a true mesic prairie ecosystem looks like. Owned by The Nature Conservancy, this critical habitat is home to birds such as the short-eared owl, yellow rails, and Nelson’s sparrows.
Native mammals such as prairie dogs, white-tailed jackrabbits, and prairie voles live in this pristine area. As you stroll along the designated walkways during the spring and summer, you’ll see white lady’s slippers, Hall’s sedge grass, blue bottle gentian, and several species of native prairies grasses. Make sure to bring a camera to take photos of the 8-foot tall sunflowers when they’re in full bloom. Malmberg Prairie SNA is about 11 miles west of Crookston.
Tympanuchus Wildlife Management Area
Another great place to see native flora and fauna is at Tympanuchus Wildlife Management Area 11 miles east of Crookston. This 848-acre preserve is home to deer, grouse, and the greater prairie chicken that performs its booming and spectacular mating ritual. This important wildlife management area is a vital wildlife corridor that connects several other wildlife management areas including Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge.
As you wander through grasslands and small shrubs, keep your eyes open for northern harrier hawks, western meadowlarks, and upland sandpipers that feed along the seasonal stream beds. Mammals include jackrabbits, deer, moose, and badgers. During the growing season, you can see native grasses and blazing starflowers, and coneflowers blooming. Once you park in the parking lot, follow the signs to help you walk along the designated trails.
Agassiz Recreational Trail
Hike, bike, and explore the 53-mile multi-use Agassiz Recreational Trail that runs between Crookston and Ulen. While you can tackle the whole length of the Agassiz Recreational Trail, you can find shorter parts of the trail to explore. You’ll cross several rivers and creeks as you cruise the trail including the Wild Rice and Sand Hill rivers as well as Mashaug Creek. During the warm summer months, you’ll share the trail with equestrians, backpackers, mountain bikers, and ATV riders.
When the snow hits, enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling along the Agassiz Recreational Trail. This trail was once a railroad bed and today it runs parallel to State Highways 32 and 102. Plan your trip exploring the Agassiz Trail by making stops for lunch, coffee, or overnight stays in the towns of Ulen, Twin Valley, Fertile, or Gary. The northern part of the trail starts just south of Crookston off of State Route 9.
Thief River Falls
Head about 40 miles northeast of Crookston to the town and recreational area of Thief River Falls. Once you head out of the charming town of Thief River Falls, you have access to over 500 miles of trails of Northern Minnesota forests, prairies, and wildlife management areas. Thief River Falls gets its name from the waterfall created where Red River Lake flows into Thief River.
Arctic Cat snowmobiles are built in the town of Thief River Falls so it’s easy to grab a snowmobile and explore the surrounding area. Cruise along the Wapiti Trail with takes you to Fourtown, or make your way to Red Lake Falls on your snowmobile to see the frozen water spectacle. For a mellow stroll, take the 7-mile scenic River Walk with its paved trail that goes along the Thief River and connects several parks like Northland Woods and Centennial Park.
Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge
Whether you want to bird watch, take photographs, or hunt, Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge offers numerous recreational opportunities to partake in. The beautiful wetlands and prairie of the 35,575-acre Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge begins at the headwaters of the Mississippi River and is a tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The wetlands and uplands are crucial breeding grounds and nesting areas for over 164 species of native and migratory birds. Common birds found with the refuge include burrowing owls, the greater prairie chicken, upland sandpiper, and yellow rail.
The wetlands are home to several amphibian species including the northern leopard frog. Mammals include white-tailed deer, jackrabbits, and moose. Before you head over to Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge, make sure you dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, a sun hat, and bring food, water, and a thermos of hot coffee or tea. Several parking lots have maps of the area to help you navigate throughout the refuge. Don’t forget to bring binoculars and a camera.
Northern Cass Pass Trail
Head south about 40 miles toward Fargo and hike or bike the newly developed Northern Cass Pass Trail. This 6-mile nonmotorized trail connects the small communities of Hunter and Arthur along an abandoned rail bed. The trail has natural surfaces as well as smooth asphalt milled surfaces and in the future, the trail will have pavement making it easily accessible for all levels of walkers and bicyclists. As you travel along the trail, you’ll cross reinforced bridges, and you’ll walk or bike through an arboretum corridor featuring native North Dakota trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers.
You’ll pass through farmlands, past grain silos, and irrigation canals. You’ll go by prairie lands and forests and see wildflowers and grasses blooming in the spring and summer. Keep your eyes open for prairie chickens, grouse, northern harriers, and short-eared owls.
Contact Rydell Cadillac
Our team at Rydell Cadillac hope you enjoyed exploring these natural areas and trails in the Crookston area. Which one was your favorite? Is there a place with cool trails to hike on that we missed? If so, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a line, and we’ll add your recommendation to the list.
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