WhenToBird

Birding spots

Best Birding Spots in Minnesota

By species reported, the top birding spots in Minnesota are Park Point, Long Meadow Lake, and Blackdog Lake. Park Point has the longest list (248 species), and its best season is spring.

Species counts are birds reported at least three times in that season at that spot, 2016–2025. Busy spots list more species simply because more people look, so compare the checklist counts. Spot names come from public map data and hotspot listings.

SpotCountySpeciesChecklistsWinterSpringSummerFall
Park PointSt. Louis County2482,81241229160186
Long Meadow LakeHennepin County24210,10783229143188
Blackdog LakeHennepin County23810,74080222141190
Stony PointSt. Louis County2181,82533161137183
Park Point (Minnesota Point)St. Louis County2161,26813177112159
Grey Cloud Dunes State Scientific and Natural AreaWashington County2142,21233200133142
Margaret LakeWashington County2116,87147195149177
Western Waterfront TrailSt. Louis County2071,97346182135152
Afton State ParkWashington County2052,41953188137135
Minnesota PointSt. Louis County2051,1822016599138
Big Stone National Wildlife RefugeLac qui Parle County20542618174109121
Carpenter St. Criox Valley Nature CenterWashington County2042,73452165132177
Vadnais Snail Lake Regional ParkRamsey County2034,04366169114174
Purgatory Creek ParkHennepin County2033,04226167127147
Prairie LakeHennepin County2031,83334185135155
Lunsten LakeCarver County1991,07836173119165
Sucker Lake Regional ParkRamsey County1974,04055175130168
Rapids LakeCarver County19759153187121124
Myre-Big Island State ParkFreeborn County19666112174115137
Louisville SwampScott County19656222170124138
Wood Lake Nature CenterHennepin County1957,17240184129159
Miedd LakeYellow Medicine County194198381659090
Centerville LakeAnoka County19362829171129156
Spirit LakeSt. Louis County1935840165123113
Tamarack Nature CenterRamsey County1921,99933173131153
Willow Creek Reservoir ParkOlmsted County19293822178115126
Frontenac State ParkGoodhue County19284532172104125
Lake ByllesbyGoodhue County1911,274411771777
Spring Lake Park (Dakota County)Dakota County1891,05931167105105
Clifton E. FrenchHennepin County1881,72840164100149

By county