Big Bog

Big Bog SRA https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=sra00308#homepage https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Bog_State_Recreation_Area Big Bog State Recreation Area is located on Minnesota State Highway 72, north of Waskish, Minnesota. It covers primarily swamps, bogs, and upland "islands". A recent addition to the Big Bog State Recreation Area is a raised boardwalk across the bog which allows visitors to explore one mile (1.6 km) into the "islands" of spruce within the bog, as well as the open wetlands. Numerous signs identify aspects of the bog, including pitcher plants and an early failed attempt at draining the swamp lands. A parking pass needs to be purchased at the nature center nine miles south, on the northern side of the town of Waskish.

© 2021, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources MAP AND GUIDE: BIG BOG STATE RECREATION AREA 55716 HWY 72 NE WASKISH, MN 56685 BELTRAMI COUNTY 218-888-7310 VISITOR TIPS • Follow special limits and protected slots when fishing on Upper Red Lake. • All boat docking in the campground is first come, first serve. • Be respectful of each campsite’s space when accessing boat docks. • Ludlow Pond is stocked with pan fish for shore fishing. Minnesota residents don’t need a license to fish this pond. • In an emergency call 911. • Non-emergency sheriff’s number: 218-333-9111. ONLY HAVE AN HOUR? • Don’t miss the mile-long Big Bog Boardwalk with interpretive panels and benches along the way. • Climb the 100 foot fire tower for a magnificent view of Upper Red Lake and the Big Bog. Open to the public during visitor center hours. • Play, swim or wade in the shallow waters of Upper Red Lake. LOOKING FOR MORE TO DISCOVER? VISIT MNDNR.GOV/BIGBOG SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE REC. AREA... ABOUT THE RECREATION AREA Big Bog State Recreation Area was established in 2000. It was the result of a grassroots effort to create a sustainable tourist attraction in Waskish, whose economy was devastated when the Red Lake walleye population crashed in the 1990s. The recreation area includes a northern unit and a southern unit totaling 9,121 acres. A 500-square-mile peat bog, the largest in the lower 48 states, is located in the northern unit. The southern unit includes a visitor center, fire tower, campground, winterized camper cabins, a sandy beach and great fishing. A full set of STATE PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS is available at mndnr.gov. RECREATION AREA OPEN 8 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. VEHICLE PERMITS Permits required; purchase at visitor center or entrance kiosk. TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS Big Bog Boardwalk 1 mile one-way Flat • Boardwalk • Handicap accessible This is a truly unique experience. Explore the boardwalk for views of orchids, carnivorous plants, mosses and a stunted tamarack and spruce forest. Located 9 miles north of the visitor center on MN Hwy 72. Old Caribou Camp Trail Mostly flat • Packed dirt Discover the diverse wildlife, trees, lichens and fungi that call Ludlow Island home. Keep on 6-foot leash; pick up after; attend at all times; not allowed in buildings or at beaches. CAMPGROUND QUIET HOURS − 10 p.m.– 8 a.m.; only registered campers may be in campground during quiet hours. FIREWOOD Must be purchased at this site or from vendors who sell wood approved for this site; no gathering firewood in the park. 1-mile loop Old Marina Trail 0.3 miles one-way Mostly flat • Mowed grass Hike to an observation deck over the Tamarac River. Watch for shorebirds, waterfowl, beavers and orchids. Interpretive panels share the history of the local fish hatchery. Red Lake Beach Trail 0.3-miles one-way Mostly flat • Packed dirt Walk to an observation deck over Upper Red Lake. Look for waterfowl and read interpretive panels. MORE TO EXPLORE • Attend naturalist programs. • Launch your boat or fish from docks along the Tamarac River in the campground. Find handicap accessible fishing piers near the public boat accesses on the north side of the river. PETS WELCOME Take a stroll on the Big Bog Boardwalk. • Rent a canoe, kayak, paddleboard or snowshoes from the visitor center. Checkout a GPS, birding kit, Kids Activity Kit or fishing pole for free. • Visit during any season! The campground, camper cabins, Big Bog Boardwalk and visitor center are open year-round. − CURIOUS ABOUT CABINS OR CAMPING? VISIT MNDNR.GOV/RESERVATIONS OR CALL 866-857-2757 MORE INFORMATION Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Information Center 500 Lafayette Rd. , St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 888-646-6367 or mndnr.gov/parks The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This information may be available in alternative format upon request. 

© 2018, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 

STATE RECREATION AREA BIRDS Sp S F W CHICKADEES, TITMICE DATE STATE RECREATION AREA BIRDS Sp S F W FINCHES Black-capped Chickadee C Boreal Chickadee O C C C O O NUTHATCHES DATE STATE RECREATION AREA BIRDS Sp S F W WARBLERS Evening Grosbeak U Pine Grosbeak O Purple Finch C O U U U Ovenbird C O U Northern Waterthrush U C U Golden-winged Warbler O O O C C U Red-breasted Nuthatch C C C C Common Redpoll U U C Black-and-white Warbler C White-breasted Nuthatch U U U U Red Crossbill U U U Tennessee Warbler U U White-winged Crossbill U U U Orange-crowned Warbler U U Pine Siskin U U U Nashville Warbler C U Conneticut Warbler U U U Mourning Warbler U U U Common Yellowthroat C C C American Redstart C C C Cape May Warbler O O C Northern Parula U U Magnolia Warbler U CREEPERS Brown Creeper U O U O WRENS American Goldfinch C C C House Wren U U U Winter Wren U U U Laplund Longspur U U Sedge Wren U U U Snow Bunting U U Marsh Wren R R R LONGSPURS, SNOW BUNTINGS Golden-crowned Kinglet C Ruby-crowned Kinglet C U U TOWHEES, SPARROWS KINGLETS C C C Fox Sparrow C C C American Tree Sparrow C C O Bay-breasted Warbler O O O Dark-eyed Junco C C O Blackburnian Warbler U U U U Yellow Warbler C C C U U U U Eastern Bluebird U U U White-crowned Sparrow U Veery C C C White-throated Sparrow C C C Chestnut-sided Warbler U Swainson’s Thrush U O U LeConte's Sparrow U U U Palm Warbler U Hermit Thrush U U U Savannah Sparrow U U U Pine Warbler U American Robin C C C Song Sparrow C C C Yellow-rumped Warbler C Lincoln’s Sparrow C C C Black-throated Green Warbler U U U Swamp Sparrow C C C Canada Warbler U U U Wilson’s Warbler U THRASHERS, MOCKINGBIRDS Gray Catbird C C C Brown Thrasher U U U BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES STARLINGS European Starling U U U Yellow-headed Blackbird U Bobolink O Western Meadowlark O O Baltimore Oriole U U U C Red-winged Blackbird C C C Brown-headed Cowbird C C C Rusty Blackbird U Brewer's Blackbird U U U Common Grackle C C C U WAXWINGS Bohemian Waxwing O O Cedar Waxwing C C C OLD WORLD SPARROWS House Sparrow R R R PIPITS American Pipit U U U O U U U U C U TANAGERS, CARDINALS, GROSBEAKS Rose-breasted Grosbeak C BIG BOG STATE RECREATION AREA C C O BIRD CHECKLIST C Chipping Sparrow THRUSHES DATE C C Checklist created by Robert B. Janssen, Jerry Bonkoski and MNDNR. Data was gathered from MNDNR staff observations, public observations and Minnesota Ornithologist’s Union records. Nomenclature and organization of checklist based off of the Check-list of North American Birds (7th edition) as currently supplemented. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4039. Phone: 651-259-5600. The Minnesota DNR prohibits discrimination in its programs and services based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable modifications to access or participate in DNR programs and services by contacting the DNR ADA Title II Coordinator at info.dnr@state.mn.us or 651-259-5488. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. © 2019, State of Minnesota, DNR Birding at Big Bog State Recreation Area The Audubon Society has designated Big Bog as an Important Birding Area. The park’s diverse habitat includes wetlands, shoreline and woodlands that make it a great birding destination year-round. STATE RECREATION AREA BIRDS Sp S F W DATE STATE RECREATION AREA BIRDS Sp S F W Snow Goose O O Rock Pigeon O O O Cackling Goose U U Mourning Dove U Canada Goose C Trumpeter Swan C C Tundra Swan U U Wood Duck C C C Blue-winged Teal C C C Northern Shoveler U O U Yellow Rail R R R Gadwall R R Virginia Rail U U U Canvasback U U Sora U U U Redhead U U American Coot C C C American Wigeon U U Mallard C American Black Duck U U PLOVERS Northern Pintail O O Killdeer Green-winged Teal U O U Ring-necked Duck U U U Upland Sandpiper Abundance C - Common (Present, relatively easy to find) U - Uncommon (Present, not certain to be seen) O - Occasional (Infrequent, may not return each year) R - Rare (Observed at least once, may not return) Greater Scaup U U Red Knot Lesser Scaup U U Least Sandpiper White-winged Scoter R R Semipalmated Sandpiper Bufflehead U U American Woodcock U Date: Enter the date you saw the bird. Common Goldeneye C C C Wilson's Snipe Hooded Merganser U U U Red-breasted Merganser O O Ruddy Duck R R Visit the world famo