Minnesota · Hiking

Discovery Center Trail

0.6 mi
round trip
94 ft
climb
1,504 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Discovery Center Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike on Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge in northern Minnesota, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The trail is about 1.2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 94 feet, and it takes roughly half an hour to complete. The route starts and ends at nearly the same elevation, with the high point at 1,504 feet and the low at 1,480 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.45 miles in, with a grade of about 3 percent. The trail is a simple walk rather than a climb, and it pairs easily with other paths in the refuge. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical July averages from a nearby weather station run to a high of 79°F and a low of 59°F, while January highs average just 18°F. The Bear Paw Spur Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and the Old Indian Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail are both within about 2 miles. The Tamarac Lake Loop Trail is about 2.4 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Discovery Center Trail

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      18° / -4°

    2. Feb

      23° / -1°

    3. Mar

      37° / 16°

    4. Apr

      52° / 30°

    5. May

      66° / 44°

    6. Jun

      75° / 55°

    7. Jul

      79° / 59°

    8. Aug

      78° / 57°

    9. Sep

      70° / 48°

    10. Oct

      54° / 35°

    11. Nov

      39° / 21°

    12. Dec

      24° / 6°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Tamarac Wildlife Re, MN, 0.1 mi away at 1,508 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.