Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge protects 14,000 acres along the Minnesota River south and southwest of Minneapolis in a chain of separate units extending about 70 miles toward Henderson. Unusually close to the Twin Cities’ urban landscape, it preserves river-bottom wetlands, floodplain forest, prairie, marsh, and oak savanna while providing heavily used trails and visitor centers. Major areas include Long Meadow Lake, Black Dog Preserve, the Wilkie Unit, Louisville Swamp, and Rapids Lake. The refuge also preserves visible layers of human history, from Dakota village sites and an early fur trading post to restored farm buildings, while safeguarding wildlife habitat within minutes of major commercial districts.

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