The picnic and beach area at Loon Lake with its large pine trees is home to Pine Warbler in summer and year round to Red-Breasted Nuthatch. Many migrating warblers can be found along the lake trail. The area hosts Northern Parula, Hermit Thrush, Blackburnian Warbler, Least Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Nashville and Black-and-white Warbler in the summer months.

The savanna grassland meadow near the Portage Trail parking lot is home to Sedge Wren, Song and Swamp Sparrow and Alder Flycatcher. Following the road back to the headquarters and turning to the campground, stop at the recycling center/dump station listen in the bog for the song of the Winter Wren. This songster can be heard competing with White-throated Sparrows for the sweetest song in many of the Tamarack/Spruce bogs in the Park. The large expanses of forest are home to Yellow-throated Vireo, Scarlet Tanager, Barred and Great Horned Owl, Broad-winged and Red-Shouldered Hawk.

The Lake Shumway campground can be hopping with birds during spring migration. In breeding season, the lake is home to Common Loon and Mallard. Eastern Kingbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Least and Great Crested Flycatcher and Tree Swallow nest along the lake walk. Hike the spur to the bog lake, with a boardwalk through a bog, to experience the flowers and birds of the bog without getting wet feet. Orchids bloom along the boardwalk and the floating mat along the lakeshore. Beaver, Muskrat and River Otter can be found swimming in both of these lakes. The Tamarack/spruce bogs, remnants of the ancient glacial lakes, are also home to Connecticut Warbler and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, two highly desired birds of many birdwatchers. Ruffed Grouse can be seen along the roads and trails in the Park, the grouse have been known to drum on logs in the campground itself.

Mammals are at home in the park with sightings of White-tailed Deer, Raccoon, Red Fox, Porcupine, beaver, River Otter, Muskrat, Striped Skunk, Gray Wolf and Black Bear occurring on a fairly regular basis. Less often, but seen in the park are Fisher, Bobcat, Moose and Pine Martin. Amphibians found in the park include several species of salamanders including the unusual Four-toed Salamander. Frogs of several species are in the lakes and Painted and Snapping Turtles are easy to see in spring laying eggs in the sandy shorelines of the lakes. Savanna Portage State Park is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., 365 days a year. Office hours vary as staffing is allowed. All vehicles must display a valid Minnesota State Park vehicle permit. Biking is permitted on park roads and signed trails. Pets must be leashed and attended at all times. Cross-country ski trails are groomed in the winter. A Minnesota ski pass is required. Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park except on groomed cross-country ski trails. Reservations for camping are encouraged especially for weekends during the summer months. The Park also has a group camp facility, a camper cabin and a guest cottage for rent, reservations for these facilities is advisable.

Directions: To reach Savanna Portage go north on State Highway 65 from McGregor, seven miles, turn right/east on County Road 14 (Lake Ave.), which dead ends at the park about 11 miles from Highway 65.

Contact Information: Savanna Portage State Park, 55626 Lake Place, McGregor, MN 55760, Phone: 218-426-3271, http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/savanna_portage/index.html.