Minnesota is home to many different types of landscapes. Up north, big forests are dotted with sparkling lakes. In the southwest, bluffs rise over the Mississippi River. In the southeast, endless prairies unfold beneath enormous stretches of sky. These are some of the most common landscapes in Minnesota, but there are many other unique places. One interesting spot is Helen Allison Savanna Scientific and Natural Area. This area preserves an 80-acre oak savanna, a rare sight in Minnesota. A visit to this beautiful place is like going back in time. Read on to learn all that you need to know about Minnesota’s rare oak savanna.

Helen Allison Savanna is a scientific and natural area in Anoka County, Minnesota. More specifically, it's in East Bethel, about 35 miles northwest of the Twin Cities.
Brett Whaley/Flickr
The savanna is named after Helen Allison Irvine, who wrote a book documenting the 180 different types of grass in Minnesota. A donation from her helped preserve the oak savanna for future generations.
Brett Whaley/Flickr
But what is an oak savanna? It's a grassland, mostly open, where the only trees that grow are oak trees.
Brett Whaley/Flickr

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The Helen Allison Savanna covers 80 acres. It's a rare type of landscape in Minnesota and in the United States in general. Today, only about 65,000 acres of oak savanna still exist in the Midwest.
Brett Whaley/Flickr
This unique landscape is well worth visiting. Many enjoy the park for its quiet hikes and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Deer and birds are commonly spotted here. Be sure to bring your binoculars!
Brett Whaley/Flickr
There are plenty of plant species, too. Bees and butterflies hover around the native wildflowers sprouting from the tall grass. You can see foxglove, prairie clovers, goldenrods, and many more. The DNR lists 93 different species for the park!
Brett Whaley/Flickr
There are even chances to see more unusual lifeforms, such as unique earthstar fungi. There is a lot to see at the Helen Allison Savanna!
Brett Whaley/Flickr

Have you ever been to Helen Allison Savanna? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re interested in visiting other SNAs, check out another favorite: The Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area.

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