A Popular 27-Mile Wildlife Drive Opens Soon In Minnesota

Birdwatching has quietly become one of America's favorite ways to get outside. Reports indicate that roughly 96 million Americans — about one in three adults — now watch birds, and the hobby has grown into a $100 billion industry.

Interest is still climbing, too: Yelp's July 2026 trend tracker showed searches tied to birding nearly doubling over the past year.

It is no surprise that the pastime has deep roots in Minnesota, a state whose wetlands, prairies, and northern forests draw serious birders from all over. And this month, one of the best spots to experience it is rolling out the welcome mat.

A Self-Guided Drive Through Some of Minnesota's Best Birding

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the 27-mile Wildlife Drive inside the Roseau River Wildlife Management Area is opening for a limited run this summer.

Located about 20 miles northwest of Roseau, the WMA is part of the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail, a 223-mile corridor of 45 sites across northwestern Minnesota.

The self-guided tour winds through wetland, woodland, brushland, and grassland habitats, giving visitors a rare, up-close window into the wildlife that calls the area home.

Mark Your Calendar: When the Drive Is Open

The Wildlife Drive will be open on the following dates:

• July 18-26
• August 1-2
• August 8-9

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What You Might See Along the Way

This is not your average roadside stop. Roughly 149 bird species breed within the Roseau River WMA, including rare finds like yellow rails and horned grebes.

Along the drive, visitors may spot trumpeter swans, loons, white pelicans, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, eagles, and all manner of ducks and water birds.

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And it is not only about the birds; black bears, deer, beaver, otter, mink, red foxes, wolves, and even the occasional moose share the same landscape.

Before You Go

A few practical notes: only vehicles licensed for public highways are allowed on the WMA roads, and the DNR urges caution due to narrow lanes, soft shoulders, deep ditches, and two-way traffic.

The drive can temporarily close for weather or road work, so it is smart to call ahead at 218-452-7610 to check road status before making the trip. Maps and a bird list are available at the WMA office in Roseau.

Whether you are a lifelong birder with a well-worn pair of binoculars or someone just looking for a peaceful escape into the northwoods, the Roseau River Wildlife Drive is worth the detour this summer. Grab your camera, pack some patience, and let Minnesota's wild side put on a show.