Trumpeter Swans at Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

Trumpeter Swans


Our Trumpeter Swan reintroduction program began with releases of subadult swans in the Park District in 1978. These efforts, combined with similar work by the State of Minnesota Nongame Wildlife Program, have resulted in the establishment of a sustainable population of more than 5,000 Trumpeters in Minnesota. The Park District no longer maintains captive swans, but does accept rehabilitated swans that will eventually return to the wild. Learn more about this remarkable restoration program.

Spring through fall, you can spot Trumpeter Swans within these park locations:

Baker Park Reserve
  • Baker Swan Refuge - From the parking lot on County Road 201, follow the bike trail south to the gravel road leading into the park. Turn right to Refuge. Round trip walk about one-half mile. 
  • Beaver Pond - Parking available on County Road 201. Follow the bike trail to the southeast end of the park. The swans are frequently visible from the horse and bike trails. Round trip about 2 miles.
  • Marshview Campground Marsh - Visible from County Road 24 and Marshview Group Camp.
  • Lake Katrina - Visible just west of the Swan Refuge fence from the bench overlooking the Refuge. Refer to Baker Swan Refuge for directions.
Crow-Hassan Park Reserve
  •  North Twin Marsh - From the north gate, walk along the gravel road to view North Twin Marsh.
Elm Creek Park Reserve
  • Mud Lake, Hayden Lake, Powers  West Hayden Lake, Lake and Lemans Lake - The swans on Mud and Lemans Lakes are often seen from the bike trails. The other locations are very remote and difficult to view from any trail.   
Carver Park Reserve
  • Fred E. King Waterfowl Sanctuary (Lunsten Lake)
Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
  • Rebecca Refuge - Free-flying Trumpeter Swans may be seen here year round. Several hundred swans gather here during late fall. The gravel refuge road can be accessed on foot from the Hilltop picnic area. There is also the John Hannah Trumpeter Swan Overlook that can be reached via the Refuge Trail accessed from the rental/trailhead building.
  • Kasma Marsh - Visible from the bike/hike trail on the south side of the park and from the gravel refuge road on the east side. This is the longest continuous Trumpeter Swan nesting site in the Park District.
  • Roy Lake and Rattail Lakes also have nesting pairs, but are more difficult to view from the trails.