Sax-Zim Bog: A Winter Itinerary for Bird Watchers

While there is always something to see at the Sax-Zim Bog the winter is always popular for bird watchers. This is when winter species flock in, including the majestic Great Gray Owl. Between photo sessions, visitors may be looking for things to do, places to grab a bite, and some niche spots to stay for a few nights! We have a full itinerary that a Sax-Zim Bog bird watcher will love, so let’s peek at some of the nearby hotspots to round out your boreal bird watching adventure!

Places to Eat

There are two establishments just outside of the Sax-Zim Bog that we highly recommend checking out while visiting the Sax-Zim Bog, the first of which is the Trailside Lounge and Grill. Don’t judge this joint on outside appearances because it is a polished clean establishment with some excellent and unique choices for food – The Pioneer is a surprisingly juicy turkey sandwich topped with cranberry jam that will fill even the most famished nature photographer.

There is also Wilbert’s Café and El Toro Lounge! It’s right off the highway in Cotton going towards the Sax-Zim Bog and they have some of the best pies around. Loading up on a few slices before heading to the trails is an ideal way to keep warm on your hike through the bog.

Places of Interest

What does one do in the winter on The Range? There’s a ton to do – for nature photographers included! Whether it’s our area winter festivals, participating in some unique northern Minnesota fun, or exploring even more of the boreal beauty of the Iron Range there is far more to experience in the area.

From January to early Spring there are some winter festivals to keep an eye out for including Polar Bear Days in Chisholm and Laskiainen, the Finnish sliding festival – in Palo. Both of these require a roughly 30-minute or so drive to reach from the Sax-Zim Bog but are absolutely worth the ride!

Laskiainen is a Finnish sledding festival that takes place in early February with an ice slide that sends participants shooting out over the top of the frozen Loon Lake. They also feature craft vendors, traditional Finnish foods, and sleigh rides for visitors to enjoy!

Polar Bear Days in Chisholm takes place throughout February and has a variety of mini events held throughout. From “Slide the City” with an ice slide constructed on main street along with ice skating at the park and a warming shack, the “Chili Open Golf” event that features a makeshift winter golf course, and an ice fishing tournament, Polar Bear Days is a fun in between activity for Sax-Zim Bog visitors to take part in.

Unique Weekly Winter Fun

As a regularly occurring event through the winter, stop by Lake Ore-be-Gone on Saturdays for a chance to do an ice plunge with Haverland Health & Wellness with their mobile sauna that they have set up along the beach! If you’ve never given it a try, here’s your opportunity to tackle winter headfirst (or feet first, as it is). An ice plunge and sauna are great for the nervous system and does wonders for muscle healing, not to mention it’s about a hundred times more effective at waking someone up than a cup of coffee!

And as for other places to explore nature on The Range – there’s countless opportunities in the area, as many of our trails are open for snowshoeing during the winter. However, one place that we highly recommend snowshoeing at in the winter is the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. They have winter snowshoeing events that take you on a historic tour complete with a complementary bonfire, hot cocoa and s’mores after the hike.

Places to Stay

The closest and easily the most ideal spot to stay at while visiting the Sax-Zim Bog is the “Off-the-Grid Yurt” rental which is the closest lodging to the bog. It’s a beautiful little spot and is a cozy home away from home while looking for wildlife in the Meadowlands this winter.

The Iron Trail Campground in Chisholm is open year-round and for RVers and mobile campers, this is the ideal place to make your camp as it is only roughly 30 minutes from there to the Sax-Zim Bog. At Giants Ridge Recreation Area in Biwabik consider The Lodge or The Villas for spacious-but-cozy digs with in-room kitchenettes. On a private lake near Eveleth Misty Shoals rental home might be the best place to see the Northern Lights during your stay. Traditional hotels also abound, such as the AmericInn, in Virginia, with free hot breakfast within 30 minutes of the Sax-Zim Bog.

There’s plenty more to experience and enjoy in the winter on The Range – check out our event calendar for updates while planning your trip to the Sax-Zim Bog and see what else you can fit into your stay! And of course, good luck on your excursion – we hope you get some amazing shots!