Neilson Spearhead
Nature Preserve
Welcome to the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
The Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society cares for the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve, a wild, welcoming place where people of all ages can explore, learn, and deepen their connection with nature. 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.
At NSNP, we inspire environmental literacy through hands-on environmental education, guided nature walks, and year-round opportunities to discover the vibrant ecology of the preserve. Whether you’re learning with a school group, hiking with family, or joining a community program, the preserve offers space for curiosity, reflection, and wonder.
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.
Field Trips, Guided Walks, and Nature Programming
Get outdoors and experience all that the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve has to offer! Join one of our guided hikes or seasonal bird walks to discover the preserve’s wildlife up close. Plan a field trip with your classroom, we offer facilitated environmental programming, or volunteer outside with your coworkers.
Whether you are part of a group, or hiking solo, our miles of trails are perfect for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. In summer, paddle our lake and observe the wetlands from the water; in winter, try ice fishing or enjoy the quiet beauty of snow-covered forests. From spring blooms to vibrant fall foliage, every season offers new ways to connect with nature and make it your own.
A Century of Stewardship
The preserve’s story begins in 1922, when George W. Neilson started buying land along Spearhead Lake. By 1939, the Neilson family had nearly all the surrounding property. In 1958, George passed the final 40 acres to his daughter, Katharine Neilson Cram, who spent summers and later lived there full-time. In 1978, Katharine deeded the land to The Nature Conservancy, and today it is owned and managed by the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society (MHAS)—a local chapter of the National Audubon Society.
Learn, Explore, Play
Since 1975, NSNP has been a living classroom for environmental science. The Young Naturalist Program has helped hundreds of local kids connect with nature, and hands-on projects let volunteers of all ages care for the land.
But it’s not all work—there’s plenty of time for fun, too. Hike, snowshoe, ski, paddle, or fish depending on the season. Follow the trails in spring and summer, hear the loons call across the lake in summer, enjoy brilliant fall colors, or try your hand at ice fishing in winter. Every season brings a new way to experience this northern Minnesota gem.
Learn
At the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society (MHAS), we connect people with nature and protect the habitats that birds and wildlife depend on.
Whether you are teaching a class, looking for a retreat, or want to get closer to nature, you’ll find something at Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve.
Explore
From birding walks to seasonal youth camps and guided tours, our programs bring people of all ages closer to the land.
Each experience helps deepen understanding of birds, habitats, and the delicate systems that connect us all.
Play
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. From storm recovery updates and volunteer projects to special events and celebrations, this is where we share how our community is caring for the land, wildlife, and trails you love.
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.
