Depart Maumee Bay early and head north along Lake Shore Drive, stopping at the rolling dunes of Saugatuck Dunes State Park for a sunrise walk along the shoreline and early‑season birding near the dunes and wetlands.
Enjoy lunch in downtown Saugatuck, then explore the vibrant art galleries and the historic Saugatuck Center for the Arts before strolling the boardwalk at Oval Beach, a prime spot for spotting piping plovers and migratory shorebirds.
Wrap up the day with a sunset kayak tour on the Kalamazoo River, where you can observe waterfowl and otters, then settle into a local B&B for a relaxed dinner.
Cross into Wisconsin and begin at the scenic Riverwalk in downtown Wisconsin Dells, watching the Upper Dells waterfalls cascade over limestone cliffs while listening for warblers in the river’s riparian zone.
Head to the nearby wetlands of the Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area, where a short boardwalk leads to hidden marshes teeming with sandpipers, bitterns, and dragonflies.
Dine on lake‑front cuisine in the historic downtown, then take an illuminated night stroll along the Riverwalk to catch glimpses of nocturnal species such as owls and nightjars.
Drive a short 30 minutes to Mirror Lake State Park, where the early morning light reveals a glass‑like lake surrounded by oak‑hickory forest—ideal for spotting bald eagles, ospreys, and kingfishers.
Hike the 3‑mile North Shore Trail, pausing at the lake’s marsh edge to watch mergansers, loons, and migrating waterfowl as they feed on fish and aquatic insects.
Return to Wisconsin Dells for a relaxed dinner, then attend a local bird‑identification talk at the Dells Nature Center (often free on summer evenings).
Enter the world‑renowned Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge; board a guided tram tour that winds through cattail islands, giving you close views of trumpeter swans, sandhill cranes, and the occasional bald eagle.
After a quick lunch in the village of Horicon, continue birding on the Marsh’s boardwalks before hitting the road for the two‑hour drive to Minneapolis‑Saint Paul.
Arrive in the Twin Cities, check into a downtown hotel, and enjoy a rooftop dinner with views of the Mississippi River skyline.
Start at Minnehaha Regional Park; follow the trail to Minnehaha Falls where you can spot ruby‑crowned kinglets and various warblers in the riparian woodlands.
Bike the Mississippi River Regional Trail from St. Paul’s historic Stone Arch Bridge to the Chain of Lakes, spotting great blue herons, red‑tailed hawks, and urban waterfowl along the way.
Conclude with a sunset paddle on Lake Calhoun (Bde Maka Ska), where loons and ducks gather; enjoy dinner at a lakeside restaurant before heading back to the hotel.
Depart the Twin Cities early and travel westward, stopping at the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway for a brief hike through the prairie‑river corridor, where you can spot meadowlarks, sparrows, and raptors soaring above.
Continue to the Sheyenne National Grassland for a guided wildlife walk that highlights the unique prairie‑wetland interface and its breeding sandhill cranes and western meadowlarks.
Arrive in Fargo, check into a boutique inn, and explore the vibrant downtown riverfront for dinner, with a chance to see bats emerging from the Red River bridge at dusk.
Drive north to Red Lake NWR; begin with a sunrise walk along the refuge’s observation platform where you can see loons, diving ducks, and the occasional bald eagle hunting over the lake.
Join a ranger‑led wetland tour through the marshes and cattail islands, focusing on sandpipers, avocets, and the rare black‑tern during migration season.
Stay at the nearby Red Lake Lodge, enjoy a campfire dinner, and take a night‑time spotlight walk to locate owls and nightjars before retiring.
Travel the short final leg to Kathryn; start at the Kathryn Prairie Preserve, where the open grasslands host skylarks, short‑eared owls, and prairie‑chickens during the early light.
Explore the Sheyenne River floodplain adjacent to town, walking the low‑lying wetlands that attract sandhill cranes, marsh wrens, and a host of migrating shorebirds.
Conclude the road‑trip with a celebratory dinner at the local community hall, sharing highlights of the journey while watching a sunset over the rolling North Dakota plains.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Saugatuck Dunes State Park | $6 per vehicle |
| Oval Beach | Free |
| Downtown Saugatuck | Free (optional dining $15-30) |
| Wisconsin Dells Riverwalk & Upper Dells Waterfalls | Free |
| Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area | Free |
| Mirror Lake State Park | $7 per vehicle |
| Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge | Free (tram tour $10 optional) |
| Minnehaha Regional Park & Falls | Free |
| Mississippi River Regional Trail | Free (bike rental $20‑$30) |
| Lake Calhoun (Bde Maka Ska) | Free (paddleboard rental $25‑$35) |
| Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway | Free |
| Sheyenne National Grassland | Free |
| Red Lake National Wildlife Refuge | Free (guided tour $12 optional) |
| Kathryn Prairie Preserve | Free |
| Sheyenne River Floodplain (near Kathryn) | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $350-500 (including fuel, park fees, optional tours, rentals, and meals) |