About the Park
This state park in Henderson is home to the largest collection of works by internationally known wildlife artist John James Audubon. Additional
nature-related artworks are periodically displayed at the museum.
Audubon, the first artist or ornithologist to depict life-size birds and animals in their natural surroundings, lived in Henderson for several
years. He valued the area because of its position on the Mississippi Flyway, a major bird-migration route. The park preserves the peaceful woods
where the famed naturalist walked as he observed the subjects of his paintings.
- Trail mileage 7 miles
- Habitats Upland and bottomland hardwood forest, lakes
- Difficulty Trails vary in length and difficulty
- Best for Hiking, birdwatching, art, and history
Monarch Butterfly Tagging
During mid-September, monarch butterflies pass through this area on their journey south in search of warmer weather and more favorable wintering
grounds. At the end of their journey, they congregate almost exclusively on 12 mountain peaks west of Mexico City, Mexico.
There, nearly all living North American monarch butterflies gather in a breathtaking spectacle as Mexican trees and shrubs appear to drip with the
colorful insects. Although monarchs migrate every year, much remains to be learned about these remarkable butterflies.
Monarch Watch, an educational outreach organization, developed tagging stickers to track the monarchs’ migration and answer questions about their
journey. Each tag placed on a monarch’s hindwing carries a unique identification number and reporting contact information, allowing tagged
butterflies to be reported if recovered.