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!

  • Places to Go & Things to Do

    Explore various points of interest, visitor information, and ways to get there.

  • Directions

    Learn about how to get here, winter road access, and all things transportation.

  • Maps & Trails

    Explore the Preserve’s forests, wetlands, and open spaces on our trails.

  • Rules & Regulations

    For safety and conservation. “Pack in pack out” and more of the preserve’s rules and regulations.

  • News & Alerts

    Find current news and alerts, advisories, and closures for roads, trails, and programs.

  • Get Involved

    Make a difference at the preserve—volunteer, join the board, or support programs that connect our community to nature.

Sunlight shining through a dense forest of tall, thin trees with a clear blue sky overhead.

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.

An adult bald eagle flying low over a wetland area during daytime, with trees in the background.
Two people sit inside the ten foot tall wooden forest megaphone.

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.

Logo for Hubbard County Soil & Water Conservation District featuring a stylized tree, land, and water elements.

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.

Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society Logo T-Shirt
from $20.00

The Gildan Softstyle® 64000 redefines casual comfort with a modern unisex cut and ultra-soft materials. Solid colors are 100% cotton, while heathers and sport grey use polyester blends for added durability. Shoulders are reinforced with twill tape, there are no side seams for a smoother fit, and the ribbed-knit collar helps prevent curling. Whether for printing or everyday wear, the Gildan 64000 stands out as a dependable wardrobe staple.

Disclaimer:
- Due to the fabric properties, the White color variant may appear off-white rather than bright white.

  • Made with 100% ring-spun cotton, the Gildan 64000 from the Gildan Softstyle® collection is a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)) that feels blissful to wear all year round.

  • The classic fit with the crew neckline deliver a clean, versatile style that can match any occasion, whether it's formal or semi-formal.

  • All shirts feature a pearlized, tear-away label for total wearing comfort.

  • Made using ethically grown and harvested US cotton. Gildan is also a proud member of the US Cotton Trust Protocol ensuring ethical and sustainable means of production. This blank tee is certified by Oeko-Tex for safety and quality assurance.

  • Fabric blends: Heather colors - 35% ring-spun cotton, 65% polyester; Sport Grey and Antique colors - 90% cotton, 10% polyester, Graphite Heather - 50% ring-spun cotton, 50% polyester

Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve & Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society Mug | Ceramic Coffee Cup
$15.00

A glossy white ceramic coffee mug that brings calm and encouragement to slow mornings and busy desks. The clean white surface showcases a soft teal emblem and understated script, creating a quiet, uplifting presence on your counter or workspace. Warm tea or strong coffee, the ceramic holds heat and color beautifully, while the comfortable C-handle makes every sip easy. Made for everyday use, this mug is microwave- and dishwasher-safe and finished with vibrant printing that keeps the design crisp through daily routines. It’s the kind of little companion that nudges you forward during early starts, late nights, study sessions, or reflective breaks.

Product features
- Microwave-safe ceramic for reheating drinks quickly
- Dishwasher-safe finish for easy cleaning
- Vivid, long-lasting print with bright, crisp colors
- Glossy white ceramic with a comfortable C-handle
- Available in 11oz and 15oz; lead- and BPA-free

Care instructions
- Clean in dishwasher or wash by hand with warm water and dish soap

Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve T-shirt
from $19.76

Soft, breathable, and quietly confident, this lightweight crew shirt has a small, low-profile emblem that whispers affiliation rather than shouting it. Wear it on slow mornings with coffee, at the edge of a weekend trail, or layered under a jacket for errands. The fabric feels smooth against skin and drapes cleanly; the ribbed collar and shoulder tape keep shape through repeated wear. It’s a simple piece that slips easily into a practical, lived-in wardrobe and grows more comfortable with time.

Product features
- 100% ring-spun cotton (lightweight 153 g/m²) for a soft, smooth feel
- Tubular knit (no side seams) for a clean silhouette and less waste
- Ribbed collar and shoulder tape to maintain shape and prevent stretching
- Pearlized tear-away label for comfort; adult sizing with EU 2-year warranty
- DTG prints on body 

XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL

Care instructions
- Do not dryclean
- Do not bleach
- Tumble dry: low heat
- Iron, steam or dry: low heat
- Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors