Nearest town: Aitkin

The Little Willow Wildlife Management Area is a beautiful area for watching birds and other wildlife during spring, summer and fall.

The Little Willow River flows through the area, with levees backing up water and forming upper and lower pools with stand of Wild Rice. A path from the parking area leads to a trail that crosses over the river and leads past the pools. There are several miles of trails for hiking in the WMA. The trails follow the levee, traverse over a couple of small hills, past a stand of pines and into a beautiful deciduous forest.

Spring warbler migration is spectacular along the river with over 20 species passing through including Northern Parula, Black-throated Green Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Northern Waterthrush, Golden-winged Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler and many more.

For the last several years, the pools have been a nesting area for two or three pair of the majestic Trumpeter Swan. Waterfowl found here include Common Goldeneye, Wood Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Hooded Merganser, Blue-winged Teal, Mallard and Canada Goose. Nesting species around the ponds include Green Heron, Great Blue