Minnesota is home to more than 60 state parks. Each one is well worth visiting. But there are many smaller nature areas to check out as well, including the one we’d like to introduce today. Just south of the Twin Cities, Wood Lake Nature Center is a peaceful oasis away from the busy city. It’s a wonderful place to hike, explore the marshes and prairies, and see animals in their natural habitat. If that sounds good to you, read on below to learn more:

Wood Lake Nature Center is a lovely natural oasis in Richfield, Minnesota. Because it's in such close proximity to Minneapolis and St. Paul, it's a wonderful spot to visit for those looking for a quiet reprieve from the busy city.
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The nature center covers 150 acres centered on the small but beautiful Wood Lake.
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The lake is surrounded by mixed forest, prairie, and marshy wetlands dotted with cattails.
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It's easy to explore the park on its three miles of hiking trails. They're unpaved but generally well-maintained, as are the picnic areas and shelters that you'll find in the park.
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As you hike, you'll travel down paths lined with tall grasses and shaded by lovely trees. If you visit in the warmer months, you might even spot wildflowers. Fall also brings lovely colors, while winter brings a peaceful, snow-covered calm.
Stephen Austin/Google
No matter when you visit, one thing is for certain: this park is teeming with wildlife. Fish are easily spotted in the lake, and turtles often sun themselves on branches and rocks.
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Many bird species also make homes here, from small songbirds to large cranes, geese, and other migratory species.
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If you're looking for a lovely place to spend an afternoon in nature - one that won't take you too far from the Twin Cities - this little-known spot could be the ticket! Take a hike, have a picnic, and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Lex Berio/Google

For more information about Wood Lake Nature Center, visit the park’s website. And if you’re interested in other peaceful nature areas near the Twin Cities, check out our past article about Elm Creek Park Reserve.

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Featured Addresses
Wood Lake Nature Center, 6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Richfield, MN 55423, USA