Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Chaska Unit is one of eight units that make up the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. It lies on the north bank of the Minnesota River in an outer Twin Cities suburb. South of the river is the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, Lawrence Unit. This site is part of a much larger area that has been designated as the Lower Minnesota River Valley Important Bird Area (IBA). A hiking trail passes through riverbottom forest along the bank of the Minnesota River. A point of interest is a giant plains cottonwood next to the trail large enough to be included on the printed map.

Rapids Lake, Chaska and Louisville Swamp Units Trail Map

600 acres

Athletic Park may be closed with a locked gate across the entrance road if there is no ball game in progress. When it is locked park in the cul-de-sac.

North Parking (Athletic Park - may be closed)
N44 46.814, W93 36.545

In Riverfront Park, park at the boat launch at the end of the park road.

South Parking (Riverfront Park)
N44 46.014, W93 37.028

Sunrise to Sunset for approved activities, including federal holidays

No fee

No National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota charges a fee

The Chaska Lake Trail follows an administrative road. It leads 1.7 miles from Riverfront Park at the south to Athletic Park at the north. Visitors are asked to remain on the established trails in order to protect the wildlife.

No public hunting opportunities are found at Long Meadow Lake, Black Dog Units, Bloomington Ferry Unit, Upgrala Unit, Chaska Unit, or San Fransisco Unit

Riverbottom silver maple forest; old field restored to floodplain forest; Chaska Lake; a slough; marsh; managed wetland areas (closed to the public); and a very large, old growth plains cottonwood.

South Entrance (Riverfront Park)

South Parking

Informatioon Kiosk

North Entrance (Athletic Park)

Riverbottom Forest

Minnesota River

Trail (Administrative Road)

eBird Field Checklist

Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas and Minnesota Biological Survey Vegetation Releves Plant List