Neilson Spearhead
Nature Preserve
Welcome to the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve
Whether you’re looking for a quiet walk among the trees, a lakeside stroll, birdwatching, or a full-day hiking adventure, the preserve offers something for every nature enthusiast.
The preserve is open year-round from dawn to dusk, located at 48851 County Road 29, about 11 miles southwest of Bemidji. Join us as we explore and celebrate the wild beauty of northern Minnesota.
Field Trips, Guided Walks, and Nature Programming
Get outdoors and experience all that the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve has to offer! Join one of our guided hikes or seasonal bird walks to discover the preserve’s wildlife up close. Plan a field trip with your classroom, we offer facilitated environmental programming, or volunteer outside with your coworkers.
At NSNP, we inspire environmental literacy through hands-on environmental education, guided nature walks, and year-round opportunities to discover the vibrant ecology of the preserve. In summer, paddle the lake and observe birds, fish, and aquatic wonder; in winter, try ice fishing or enjoy the quiet beauty of snow-covered forests. From spring blooms to vibrant fall foliage, every season offers new ways to connect with nature and make it your own.
Learn
The Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society (MHAS) cares for the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve, a wild, welcoming place where people of all ages can explore, learn, and deepen their connection with nature. This unique preserve is home to loons and bald eagles, black-backed woodpeckers, wolves, otters, and many other species that depend on its forests and wetlands.
Whether you’re learning with a school group, hiking with family, or joining a community program, the preserve offers space for curiosity, reflection, and wonder.
Explore
From birding walks to seasonal youth camps and guided tours, our programs bring people of all ages closer to the land.
Each experience helps deepen understanding of birds, habitats, and the delicate systems that connect us all.
Play
From the annual spring clean-up event to the Christmas Bird Count and the Great Backyard Bird Count, our programs bring people of all ages closer to birds, nature, and the land.
Help keep the preserve healthy and thriving. Join one of our efforts that protect this landscape for generations to come.
Preserve & Chapter Updates
Stay up to date with the latest news and happenings from the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society and the Neilson Spearhead Nature Preserve. From storm recovery updates and volunteer projects to special events and celebrations, this is where we share how our community is caring for the land, wildlife, and trails you love.
Our Partners: Community Action for Nature
The preserve exists because of generous individuals, organizations, and businesses who share our love for birds and wild spaces. Their support sustains conservation, education, and access for all who visit.
