Undergraduate research can provide transformative experiential learning for students new to freshwater ecology. Both one-on-one mentoring and course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) can promote student engagement and increase retention in STEM fields. Nonetheless, many undergraduate projects require a period of apprenticeship, including coursework or methodological training, that may be a barrier to students – especially underclassmen. Trail cameras, however, are a commonly used tool in wildlife research that require little training and can be used to investigate a variety of phenomena, including habitat use, activity patterns, density and species interactions. Moreover, cameras have utility across a range of freshwater ecosystems, from urban settings to remote wilderness areas. Here we provide examples of first-year students using trail cameras to study American mink (Neovison vison) in beaver (Castor canadensis) ponds in the central Rocky Mountains. In this one-semester CURE, students read primary literature about trail camera research, design their own study, collect and analyze camera data, and present their results. Over five years, student projects have helped refine best practices and contributed to a larger, shared dataset. We will present findings from several student-led studies and discuss the use of trail camera research in an academic setting. We aim to demonstrate that trail cameras can be a highly effective, engaging tool for fostering scientific inquiry in undergraduate freshwater ecology research and courses.