Nerstrand-Big Woods

Park Notes

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Firewood restrictions information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Complete information and lists of vendors and locations where approved firewood is available are posted on the DNR Web site.
More information
Vendor List

Hiking:

Eleven miles of trails wind throughout the park. Fall is right around the corner: All 11 miles of hiking trails are open with some repair ongoing following the August 13 rain of almost 4 inches. Prairie Creek is running providing Hidden falls with a nice waterfall display.

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park.

Birding is great! Red-headed Woodpeckers - look for the young of the season with gray heads that can be seen in early morning visits to suet feeders but mostly found in the campground and picnic area, some on the south side of the park. The feeder birds include most of the woodpecker species with occasional pileated woodpecker visits when traffic is low. Look up in the sky for an occasional eagle and more common turkey vulture. Overnight listen for barred owls calling.