Get ready for a celebration as we extend a joyous welcome back to the herons, cormorants, and egrets that make Minnesota their summer home! After their long migratory journey along the Mississippi River, the herons are making their triumphant return, marking the onset of spring and a season of renewal.
Join us for a festive event with birdwatching, educational talks about the incredible journey of these majestic birds, and walking to the river for an opportunity to witness them building their nests at the heron rookery in Northeast Minneapolis.
Whether you're a nature enthusiast, bird watcher, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, this event promises to be a delightful experience for all ages. Let's come together to celebrate the herons' return, embrace the spirit of community, and revel in the wonders of nature at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, your national park!
We will be down on the banks of the Mississippi River, weather permitting. Be prepared for some mud or ice.
We encourage you to bring binoculars and cameras. We will have a few spotting scopes to aid viewing the birds.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required to help with crowd control.
A ranger and volunteers will greet you on the walking path near the path that leads to the riverbank.
The walking path is paved and fully accessible. The heron rookery is visible from the walking path. Please ask a park ranger or volunteer for assistance.
Access to the riverbank is not fully accessible. There are approximately twenty stairsteps if the stairwell is open (weather conditions permitting). If not, expect to travel across uneven terrain.
There is one (1) marked accessible parking space available and ten (10) additional spaces. Please allow heron-viewers with mobility needs to use the park's smaller parking lot. Additional free parking can be found on the street adjacent to the park, Marshall St. SE.
If you need additional support to enjoy this event, such as a language or ASL interpreter, please be in touch with miss_info@nps.gov.
