Sherburne County is one of the most popular areas for hiking in the state of Minnesota, as it consists of incredible rolling hills, alluring lakes, amazing wildlife, green forests, and charming ponds. Visitors, transplants, and residents of the area enjoy hiking, camping, birdwatching, and getting involved in nature and the outdoors. The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge was founded in 1965 and is an area that is dedicated to ensuring that birds have a safe place to migrate. It has been named one of Minnesota's Important Bird Areas by the National Audubon Society. The Refuge is also composed of several parks and trails that hikers from around the world frequently visit. Below are brief descriptions of three of the top trails in Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge:

• Blue Hill Trail: The Blue Hill Trail is a 5.1-mile trail outside the city of Princeton, Minnesota. This trail forms a loop and is completely dog friendly (on the leash). Individuals visiting this trail enjoy taking advantage of the lovely flower, bird, wildlife, and forest sightings. The Blue Hill Trail has an average elevation of 114 feet and is considered easy for both first-time and professional hikers. Most visitors will complete this trail in a little over two hours. Children and mountain bikes are also welcome. For best results, it is recommended to hike this trail in the months of April to October.

• Mahnomen Trail – Long Loop: The Mahnomen Trail – Long Loop is a 2.8-mile trail right outside the city of Zimmerman, Minnesota. Hikers who choose this trail will navigate a long loop pathway filled with fantastic views of wildlife, nature, animals, and birds. The Mahnomen Trail – Long Loop is estimated to take an average of one hour and 11 minutes to complete and is considered easy for beginner, moderate, and advanced hikers. Individuals who hike this trail will reach an estimated elevation of 82 feet and will find many different activities to engage in along the way. This trail does not allow dogs, but children are always welcome. Mahnomen Trail - Long Loop is open and can be hiked any day of the year.

• Mahnomen Trail – Short Loop: The Mahnomen Trail – Short Loop is a 2.2-mile trail outside of Zimmerman, Minnesota. This trail is known for its terrific fall and winter sceneries as well as animals, wildlife, and nature. The Mahnomen Trail – Short Loop provides a footpath that forms a short loop and reaches an average elevation of 52 feet. Novice and expert hikers both equally enjoy this trail and consider it an easy feat. Its estimated completion time is less than one hour. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed, but children and families are encouraged to tag along. A few other activities that visitors enjoy taking part in while on this trail are cross country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, photography, and more. This trail is open throughout the year and during all-weather climates.

If you are looking for places to hike around, these three trails are excellent choices to begin with. You can hike each of them solo or bring family or friends along. Hiking has many different benefits, such as reducing stress, clearing your mind, providing physical exercise, gaining fresh air, connecting with nature, and so much more. All three of these trails are praised for their impressive offerings to visitors, such as the grasslands, plants, oak trees, and forests. Guests are as pleased and excited to visit the Blue Hill Trail, Mahnomen Trail – Long Loop, and the Mahnomen Trail – Short Loop as they were over five decades ago when it was first established.