Nerstrand-Big Woods State Park
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Enjoy this park on foot, any season of the year. In the spring, the park is a wildflower garden where hepatica, bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches, and the dwarf trout lily bloom. The dwarf trout lily is only found here. Relax by Hidden Falls in the summer. The autumn brings a burst of red, orange, and gold in the maple-basswood forest, one of the last extensive stands of the "Big Woods." When winter comes, ski or snowmobile the trails through picturesque woods.
Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.
Visitor Alert!HikingAll trails open to hiking. Expect spring conditions along the trails, especially since the recent snow. Use caution as there may be trees down in some areas from the storm. SceneryHikers: Expect spring conditions on the trails. Wildflowers: Spring wildflowers: See white trout lilies, dutchman's breeches, false rue anemone, wild ginger,wild blue phlox, wild geranium, spring beauty, blue cohosh, jack-in-the-pulpit, toothwort. Trees have formed new, perfect leaves. Walks in the spring show changes in the season. Woodpeckers are drumming territory and spring bird songs carry through the woods. Get healthy with a walk in the Big Woods. Check here for updates, or call for current conditions. Loaner Kits AvailableBird identification kits are great for seeing birds. Check at the office for details. |
Park Notes
Virtual Tour:Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park! Gift Cards:Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card. Firewood Restrictions Information:Firewood is available for sale at $5.00 per bundle. Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists. Hiking:All trails are open to hiking. Hidden Falls flowing nicely. Worth the trip out to see. Warm temps coming back so look for more wildflowers and nesting bird activity. Squirrels are active and noisy in the treetops. Turkeys and deer can be seen from a distance. Come out to observe the Big Woods. Tracks are easy to spot along trails and Prairie Creek. Birders:Bird Checklist Birding is great! Feeding stations bring out the birds. Best viewing in the morning. Chickadees, nuthatches, goldfinches (yellow now), house finches and several species of woodpeckers can be seen at the feeders. Watch for the occasional pileated woodpecker that visits when traffic is low. Overnight listen for barred owls calling. Fox sparrow, robins, grackles, red-winged blackirds, Woodduck, Eastern meadowlark, mourning doves, Eastern Pheobe, American Kestrel, bluebirds, flickers, American Woodcock, cow birds, tree sparrow, yellow-rumped warblers, brown creeper, tree swallow, sandhill crane, kinglets, rose-breasted grosbeak, indigo buntings, orioles and hummingbirds. note: Red-headed woodpeckers were sighted April 30 at the host's suit feeder. |
Park Highlights | ||||||
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"Big Woods" LandscapeEvents |  | ||||||
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Hours
Best time to contact the park:
Spring Saturday - Sunday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Monday - Friday, variable depending on staff availability. If no one is available, please leave a message.
When office is closed, please use the self-registration station at the front of the office to purchase daily and annual permits, and to register for camping. Annual permits purchased through self-registration will be mailed to you.
Contact
9700 170th Street East
Nerstrand, MN 55053
tel: 507-333-4840
email: nerstrand.statepark@state.mn.us
Getting There
Take I-35 to State Highway 19 east into Northfield. Go south on State Highway 3, east on State Highway 246, then turn right onto County Road 29.