At nearly 25,000 acres and only minutes from the Twin Cities metro, Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area should be much more popular than it is. But the fact that it’s often overlooked is precisely what makes Carlos Avery a hidden gem Minnesota nature lovers must explore.

Established in 1933, Carlos Avery WMA is located just west of Forest Lake in the northeast Metro.
Carlos Avery WMA is a hidden gem Minnesota nature lovers will enjoy
Tony Webster/Flickr
Because it’s not a state park, many people overlook - or don’t know about - all that the WMA has to offer for nature lovers.
You’ll find a wide variety of ecosystems spread across the WMA’s 24,400 acres.
Carlos Avery WMA is a hidden gem Minnesota nature lovers will enjoy
Joseph Skelley, Jr/AllTrails.com
Hardwood forests, lakes, marshes, swamps, and grasslands are ready for you to explore.
Carlos Avery is open to exploration on foot, in your vehicle, or by boat.
Carlos Avery WMA is a hidden gem Minnesota nature lovers will enjoy
The Mahs/AllTrails.com
Many folks enjoy using the waterways, like paddling the Sunrise River, to delve deeper into the SNA. In winter, the lakes and rivers are open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well.

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The WMA is open to hunting and fishing during designated seasons.
Tammy Walhof/AllTrails.com
Hikers, birders, and paddlers should take note of this and use caution when visiting the WMA during hunting season.
Explorers will find all sorts of interesting flora, fauna, and fungi to enjoy in the WMA.
Joseph Skelley, Jr/AllTrails.com
Carlos Avery is an important stop for migrating waterfowl and other birds, like sandhill cranes.
Carlos Avery WMA is a hidden gem Minnesota nature lovers will enjoy
Travis Murray/Google Reviews
This makes the WMA a beloved destination for birders in the know.
Because of its importance to birds and animals, more than 4,000 acres of the WMA are designated as a wildlife sanctuary.
Carlos Avery WMA is a hidden gem Minnesota nature lovers will enjoy
Christopher Hagness/Google Reviews
These areas are closed to (human) visitors and all recreational activities, including birding and hunting.

For detailed road and trail conditions, as well as maps of the area, visit the DNR’s Carlos Avery WMA web page. Have you visited Carlos Avery? What other hidden gems in Minnesota should nature lovers know about?

After spending the day at Carlos Avery WMA, stop for dinner at The Old Log Cabin Restaurant in Forest Lake for some stick-to-the-ribs comfort food.

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Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management Area, 5463 W Broadway Ave, Columbus, MN 55025, USA