Neilson Spearhead
Nature Preserve
A Place to Explore, Learn, and Belong in Nature
The Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve is a protected landscape where families hike, students learn, birds thrive, and our community connects with nature.
Welcome to the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
Whether you’re looking for a lakeside stroll, birdwatching, or a full-day hiking adventure, the preserve offers something for every nature enthusiast. When you arrive, check out the kiosk, where trail maps, guides, and helpful information are always available.
The preserve is open year-round from dawn to dusk, located at 48851 County Road 29, about 11 miles southwest of Bemidji. Join us as we explore and celebrate the wild beauty of northern Minnesota!
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Places to Go & Things to Do
Explore various points of interest, visitor information, and ways to get there.
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Directions
Learn about how to get here, winter road access, and all things transportation.
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Maps & Trails
Explore the Preserve’s forests, wetlands, and open spaces on our trails.
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Rules & Regulations
For safety and conservation. “Pack in pack out” and more of the preserve’s rules and regulations.
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News & Alerts
Find current news and alerts, advisories, and closures for roads, trails, and programs.
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Get Involved
Make a difference at the preserve—volunteer, join the board, or support programs that connect our community to nature.
Field Trips, Guided Walks, and Nature Programming
Discover the Preserve through guided walks, workshops, and hands-on environmental education. Join a seasonal bird walk or guided hike, bring your classroom for facilitated learning in the field, or volunteer outdoors with your group.
Through programs like Walk on the Wild Side and Young Naturalists, the preserve offers year-round opportunities to explore wildlife and ecosystems. Paddle the lake in summer, enjoy quiet winter trails, and experience the changing seasons as a place to learn, explore, and connect with nature.
Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society
The Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society (MHAS) owns and manages the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve. This unique preserve is home to loons and bald eagles, black-backed woodpeckers, wolves, otters, and many other species that depend on its forests and wetlands.
Home of the Forest Megaphone
The Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve is the home of the Forest Megaphone, where the sounds of the forest come alive. Explore scenic trails, paddle across Spearhead Lake, and discover a unique outdoor experience that connects you to nature in a whole new way.
Get Involved
From the annual spring clean-up event to the Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count, our programs bring people of all ages closer to birds, nature, and the land.
Help keep the preserve healthy and thriving. Join one of our efforts that protect this landscape for generations to come.
Preserve & Chapter Updates
Stay up to date with the latest news and happenings from the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society and the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve.
Our Partners: Community Action for Nature
The preserve exists because of generous individuals, organizations, and businesses who share our love for birds and wild spaces. Their support sustains conservation, education, and access for all who visit.
Merchandise Now Available!
The wait is over. Shop the latest drop for tees, mugs, and more. Premium quality, shipped fast. Show your support with a purchase from our new store today.
