Rapids Lake Education and Visitor Center 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Phone: 952-854-5900 |
Prairie restoration in old upland farm fields, oak savanna, goat prairies clinging to steep bluffs, bottomland forests, and Minnesota's largest private wetland
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| Wild turkeys are frequently spotted in the Rapids Lake Unit. |
restoration (completed in 1992) make up this 1,500 acre unit, the newest addition to the Refuge. For over one hundred years the Gehl Family owned part of this area and raised thousands of turkeys. When wild turkeys were stocked on their farm in 1986, wildlife managers made sure all domestic birds had disappeared in this vicinity. If wild and domestic turkeys interbreed, the resulting cross loses its ability survive in the wild. Today, there are more wild turkeys in this area than at any time in the past. Flocks of thirty to forty birds have been seen here.
Preserving the oak savanna is a high priority on this unit, as it provides the much needed habitat for turkeys, squirrels, deer, and many other species. Former agricultural land is also being restored to native prairie through prescribed burns and seeding.
There has been minimal development of trails and parking areas to access this unit. A great way to discover this area is to take advantage of the many interpretive programs offered here. See the Calendar of Events for further information.
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Rapids Lake Unit has four access points. From Hwy 212, exit onto Jonathan Carver
Parkway (County Road 11). Proceed south about 2 miles, making a left turn on County Road 40. Proceed north
to Carver Bluffs Parkway and turn right. Proceed to first stop sign and turn left into the park. The other
three access points are further south on County Road 11. From the previous CR 40/CR 11 intersection, turn
left, then make another left turn at the top of the next hill, continuing on County Road 11 (CR 40 proceeds
straight at this point). The first access point is 3/4 mile down the road on the left side. The third access
point is approximately two miles further. Continue south on County Road 11, turn left on Carver Highlands
Drive (opposite County Road 50). The access point is 1 mile east of this intersection. To reach the fourth
access point, begin at the CR 11/Carver Highlands Drive intersection, and proceed south on CR 11. A parking
area is 1.7 miles on the left.
