# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 07 May, 2026 at 05:00 pm – Thu, 07 May, 2026 at 06:30 pm (-05:00)
- **Event Description**: The snow is melting and creatures are coming out of hibernation - so should you! Step outside for an afternoon of introductory level hiking with refuge staff and volunteers while we explore what spring has to offer.

This program is intended for all ages as an introduction to hiking and refuge trails. No experience necessary - we're here to show you the ropes! Meet us at kiosk at the Bloomington Visitor Center main doors. Registration optional. For information on trail conditions, please read the accessibility section.

Registration optional here: https://signup.com/go/gPPrWjW
Optional registration allows us to prepare supplies and materials for the program, send reminders, and allows us to contact you in the event of inclement weather!

This is an easy to moderate outdoor activity. We hope to reach 2-2.5 miles in 1.5 hours. This will be guided by refuge staff and volunteers. Frequent breaks will occur. 

Please wear winter clothing as this program is fully outdoors (coat, pants, boots, mittens, hat, etc). Consider dressing in layers. A full water bottle is recommended. 

Accessibility at Bloomington Visitor Center:
Hillside and Spur trails are natural surface with has steep slopes, with a wooden staircase for a portion of it. Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via these sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches in the trail area. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 mile distance from the parking lot. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at oscar_hernandez@fws.gov.

Questions? Contact MinnesotaValley@fws.gov or call (952) 854-5900.

Photo of Morning at Long Meadow Lake
Alt Text: a large stream runs through a wetland reflecting the clear blue sky.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/mendota/intro-to-hiking-long-meadow-lake/200029709576720
- **Event Categories**: trips-adventures, trekking
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 15

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Mendota
- **state**: MN
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN, United States, Minnesota 55425
- **lat**: 44.85987
- **long**: -93.21621
- **full address**: 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN, United States, Minnesota 55425, 3815 American Blvd E, Minneapolis, MN 55425-1659, United States, Mendota

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/a33e7495687100b2767cd3db093f05dd39fca0aa84ec26d4cf7aed36e8abc8fe-rimg-w1200-h800-dc91bff1-gmir?v=1775525698

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake being held?
  - **A:** Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake takes place on Thu, 07 May, 2026 at 05:00 pm to Thu, 07 May, 2026 at 06:30 pm at 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN, United States, Minnesota 55425, 3815 American Blvd E, Minneapolis, MN 55425-1659, United States, Mendota.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake?
  - **A:** Intro to Hiking: Long Meadow Lake is organized by Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

## Structured Data (JSON-LD)

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        "startDate": "2026-05-07T17:00:00-05:00",
        "endDate": "2026-05-07T18:30:00-05:00",
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        "description": "The snow is melting and creatures are coming out of hibernation - so should you! Step outside for an afternoon of introductory level hiking with refuge staff and volunteers while we explore what spring has to offer.\n\nThis program is intended for all ages as an introduction to hiking and refuge trail",
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                "url": "https://allevents.in/org/minnesota-valley-national-wildlife-refuge/16006018",
                "description": "For official information about the refuge visit: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota_valley/\n\nThe Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, daily.  Visit our website for up-to-date information about our visitor center and office hours\n\n"
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