Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Hamden Slough is a national wildlife refuge in Minnesota covering 6,000 acres of wetland and prairie habitat. The landscape provides essential breeding and feeding grounds for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife throughout the region.

The refuge was established in 1989 as a conservation project that restored former farmland to its natural state. This protected status helped reverse the loss of wetland and prairie habitats that had declined across the region for decades.

The Minnesota Audubon Society recognized the refuge as an Important Bird Area due to its role in preserving local bird populations.

Visitors can explore the refuge using auto tour routes and enjoy activities like photography and fishing. The best time to visit depends on which bird species you want to see, since different birds arrive during different seasons.

The refuge contains one of the largest continuous wetland and prairie blocks in the region. More than 200 bird species use the protected area at different times of the year for breeding, migration rest stops, and wintering.

Location: Audubon Township

Inception: 1989

Website: http://midwest.fws.gov/hamdenslough

GPS coordinates: 46.88300,-96.00900

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02