
Mound Spring Prairie SNA
From Gary, South Dakota 1.5 mile E on MN Co Rd 4, then 3 miles S on Co Rd 15, 0.5 mile W on Co Rd E3, then 0.4 mile S on 115th St. Park in pull-off on E.
Get DirectionsAbout
Located on the border with South Dakota, Mound Spring Prairie preserves one of the largest remaining prairie complexes on the Prairie Coteau of southwestern Minnesota. A diverse dry prairie is found on the hills of this site. Typical grasses include sideoats grama, little bluestem, Indian grass, blue grama and porcupine grass. Wildflowers to look for include purple coneflower, scarlet gaura, locoweed, rough blazing-star, prairie phlox, and heart-leaved alexanders. Western white prairie clover, a species of special concern, can be observed here at the easternmost edge of its range. It has only been documented in six counties in Minnesota, all of which border South Dakota.
Visitors in March/April may be fortunate enough to spot dancing sharptail grouse in the 160-acre southern parcel of dry hill prairie.
This site has no maintained trails or other recreational facilities. This site is in an Audubon Important Bird Area. Mound Spring WMA is adjacent to this site.
Rates
Free