Contact Information
Carpenter St Croix Valley Nature Center
12805 St Croix TrHastings, MN 55033
Located 1 mi north of intersection of Co Rd 21 and Hwy 10. Carpenter Nature Center is on the St. Croix River almost due west of Prescott, WI.
Get DirectionsAbout
Open 7 days a week, 8am-4:30pm, offers several miles of hiking trails thru 425 acres along the scenic St Croix River, excellent opportunities for bird and nature watching in a variety of habitats- restored prairie, deep ravines, river bluffs, pine and deciduous forest. Admission is free, small fee for programs. Environmentally friendly apple orchard on site offers apples for sale in season. Year-round recreation and environmental education opportunities.
Hours & Dates
Year-Round
- Monday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Thursday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Saturday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
- Sunday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Rates
Free parking. Free admission. Program charges vary. Donations of $2.00/person are strongly encouraged.
More Information
Green Practices
-
Carpenter Nature Center was fortunate to receive a Dakota County Community POWER (Partners of Waste Education and Reduction) grant in the fall of 2006 to convert its 22 year-old Apple Blossom Races into a Zero Waste Event.
- Eco-friendly landscape/facility design
- Eco-friendly purchasing practices
- Energy efficiency/conservation
- Waste reduction/reuse/recycling
- Water conservation/wastewater management plan
Attraction Attributes
- Accessible to disabled
- Can accommodate groups of 45 or more
Reviews
Based on 22 reviews
This place is a true joy to visit. Lots of trails giving a person the opportunity to walk and be surrounded by nature. Many of the trails close at 4:30 so get there early. We plan on coming back...
—
savytraverlor43323,
August 21, 2022
This is an amazing place - every time you go (whether you're an adult or child), there's something new going on. First off - the park offers lots of events - snow showing in the winter, bird watching...
—
Flinhart,
July 31, 2020
My husband and I visited the Wisconsin campus while the lupines were blooming. (For some reason Tripadvisor won’t recognize the WI campus as a separate location.). It had been a long time since I...
—
CaptTrouble,
June 29, 2019
Carpenter Nature Center (Minnesota Campus) is located on the St. Croix River north of Hastings, Minnesota. It has many trails suitable for all ages of walkers and hikers. The Visitor Center...
—
Jerry W,
June 4, 2019
We take our grand children to the bird shows they have. The trails on the Minnesota are tar and peaceful. The Wisconsin side is of the beaten path and the trails are grass. If you go walk there...
—
GoldwingF6C,
October 31, 2018
What's Nearby
Mentioned In
Follow the Mississippi River's 600-plus-mile journey across Minnesota on the Great River Road