Natural Areas in Central Minnesota

     In addition to our campuses, there are a variety of botanically-interesting areas in Central Minnesota.  This page is designed to access information about these other areas.  This page provides:

1. A listing and directions to central MN natural areas 

2. MN Department of Natural Resources biological surveys

3. References

Listing and Directions to Natural Areas in Central Minnesota

Quarry Park & Nature Preserve (Waite Park) 
Turn left out of the Science Center parking lot and head north out of campus.  Go north (straight) at the four-way stop by the Palaestra.  Take I-94 east.  Stay on I-94 and drive approximately 7 miles.  Exit at Hwy 23 (Rockville, St. Cloud).   Turn left at the end of the ramp onto Hwy 23 driving east toward St. Cloud.  You will drive over I-94.  Go approximately 1 mile and turn right onto Bel Clare Drive.  This is the first right turn past I-94.  Take Bel Clare Drive to the end (about 1 mile).  Turn left onto County Road 137.  Quarry Park is approximately two miles on the right.  You’ll know you’re close when you see the interesting home on the granite pile on the right (north) side of the road.  There is a $2.00 fee for parking.

Mississippi River County Park (Rice)
Turn left out of the Science Center parking lot and head north out of campus.  Go north (straight) at the four-way stop by the Palaestra.  Take I-94 east.  Soon after getting on I-94, merge into the middle or left lane.   Exit to St. Cloud (Cty Rd 75).   Drive approximately 2 miles.  At the second traffic light turn left.  This is Cty Rd 133.  Follow it into Sartell.   As you enter Sartell the road will make a relatively sharp turn to the left.  At the stop turn right to stay on 133 (also called 2^nd St. S).  Go about 1 mile and then turn left (head north) on to Riverside Ave (Cty Rd 1).  To do this you must actually bear right at the exit and go around under the road.  Follow Riverside Ave north about 5 miles to the park which is on the right.

Lindberg State Park (Little Falls)
Turn left out of the Science Center parking lot and head north out of campus.  Go north (straight) at the four-way stop by the Palaestra.  Take I-94 east.  Soon after getting on I-94, merge into the middle or left lane.   Exit to St. Cloud (Cty Rd 75).  Drive into and through St. Cloud (about 10 miles) until you reach the exit for Hwy 10.  Go north.  Drive to Little Falls (about 30 miles) and follow the signs.

Talahi Woods and Beaver Islands
Turn left out of the Science Center parking lot and head north out of campus.  Go north (straight) at the four-way stop by the Palaestra.  Take I-94 east.  Soon after getting on I-94, merge into the middle or left lane.   Exit to St. Cloud (Cty Rd 75).  Drive into St. Cloud (75 turns into Division Street in St. Cloud).  You will go almost through St. Cloud and along the way will pass Crossroads Mall, Circuit City shopping plaza (33^rd Ave) and Byerly’s shopping plaza (25^th Ave).  About 5 blocks past Byerly’s turn right onto Washington Memorial Blvd (Wendy’s is on the corner).  At the first light (about 3 blocks) turn left (east) onto 10^th St. S.  Drive about 2 miles.  At the third traffic light, just after you drive over the Mississippi River, turn right.  Park in the lot for Riverside Park.  As you face the river, the entrance to the woods is to your left.

Warner Lake County Park (Clearwater) 
Turn left out of the Science Center parking lot and head north out of campus.  Go north (straight) at the four-way stop by the Palaestra.  Take I-94 east.  Stay on I-94 and drive approximately 15 miles and then exit at Hwy 75 exit (St. Augusta = Ventura, St. Cloud).   Turn right at the end of the ramp and drive through St. Augusta.  Turn left on Cty Rd 44 and follow this road about 8 miles to the park.

Partch Woods & LABS Tract 

Turn left out of the Science Center parking lot and head north out of campus.  Go north (straight) at the four-way stop by the Palaestra.  Take I-94 east.  Soon after getting on I-94, merge into the middle or left lane.   Exit to St. Cloud (Cty Rd 75).  Take Cty Rd 75 and make your second left (north) turn onto Cty Rd 3.  Millstream Park is on the corner.  LABS tract is about mile from the turn on your right.  There is a large sign.  To get to Partch Woods, continue north on Cty Rd 3 approximately 5 miles.  Partch Woods is on your left.  It is signposted, too.

Minnesota County Biological Survey

• MCBS Home Page
• Natural Heritage Information System
• Stearns County (digitized map available)
• Sherburne County

References

• Soroka, LG & DF Grether.  1985.  A Field Guide to the Natural Areas of Central Minnesota.  Escape.  sponsored by St. Cloud Park and Recreation Department, St. Cloud State University and Creative Concepts, Inc.  Areas listed include: