The Breathtaking Park In Minnesota Where You Can Watch Bison Roam
By Betsy Rathburn|Published February 10, 2022
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Did you know that Minnesota has its own bison herd? The Minnesota Conservation Herd is a herd of around 130 bison that live in three different spots around the state: Minneopa State Park, the Minnesota Zoo, and the breathtaking state park we’d like to introduce today. Read on below to learn about Blue Mounds State Park, the park on the prairie where you can watch bison roam.
Blue Mounds State Park is a beautiful park in southwestern Minnesota. It’s just outside of the small town of Luverne, near the South Dakota border. From the Twin Cities, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive or around 215 miles.
The park covers about 1,500 acres. It’s well known for the line of tall, pink quartzite cliffs that run through the park. Visitors may hike on top of or at the base of the cliffs, allowing for amazing views of the surrounding landscape. There’s truly nowhere else like this in Minnesota.
The cliffs rise out of a flat prairie landscape. During Minnesota’s warmest months, visitors can sneak peaks of tall prairie grasses, colorful wildflowers, and even prickly pear cacti.
The park is able to sustain around 100 bison, though about 80 live there today. A few dozen are born each year, and some are sold at auction to ensure that the numbers stay sustainable.
The herd’s bull is replaced every few years to increase the genetic diversity of the herd. Currently, the bull is a male from the Yellowstone National Park herd. This is one of the most genetically pure herds in the nation.
At Blue Mounds, a wooden platform over the prairie makes it easy to spot the bison as they graze over the prairie grasses. Bring your binoculars for closer views!
If the bison aren’t visible from the deck, guests can also hike along the fenced perimeter of the bison range. This is a fantastic way to see bison roam the Minnesota prairie!
Have you ever seen the bison roam at Blue Mounds State Park? With pink cliffs, a bison herd, and prairie views, this breathtaking park is one of the most unique in Minnesota! While you’re in the area, be sure to also make stops at Touch the Sky Prairie (there’s a prairie waterfall there!) and Pipestone National Monument.
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