Minnesota is well known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. But that’s not the only water contained within our great state. Not only are there rivers, ponds, and waterfalls, there are also wetland areas that are crawling with wildlife. One of the largest is the Louisville Swamp located within the sprawling Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. This vast swamp is full of activity, and it’s well worth visiting for all nature lovers from Minnesota and beyond.

The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is an enormous refuge in Bloomington, Minnesota. Address: 3815 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, MN, 55425

The refuge covers 14,000 acres and is made up of more than 10 different units. Each one has unique offerings, from lovely hikes to peeks at the state's largest great blue heron rookery.

The Louisville Swamp Unit is among the most interesting of all of the parts of the refuge.

The swamp takes up 3,600 acres of land in the Shakopee, Minnesota, area.

Across all of those acres, there is much to do. For one thing, the Louisville Swamp has 13 acres of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. They do flood occasionally, so be sure to check before you visit.

If hiking isn't your thing, you might like simply sitting and observing the natural surroundings.

Many different kinds of birds live in or visit the swamp each year.

Ducks, herons, and swans are just a few of the birds you might see flying over the marshy lands. Otters, skinks, fishes, and many insects also make homes here.

The animals aren't the only wildlife to discover. Unique flowers and other foliage are on display. You can even find wild berries growing around the swamp!

Other natural attractions include a gigantic boulder known as the Louisville Swamp Boulder. Left by receding glaciers, it's 15 feet tall and is a popular spot for rock climbers to practice.

There are manmade attractions in the Louisville Swamp, too. The old remains of some 1880s farm buildings are easily seen from the paths.

All in all, the Louisville Swamp Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is an unexpectedly beautiful place to get outdoors, experience Minnesota history, and see wildlife up close.

For more information about the Louisville Swamp, check out the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge website. If you're interested in swamps, you may also be interested in exploring the unusual but beautiful Big Bog State Recreation Area.