Bringing home the third place spot in the “Best Nature Center” category in the 2023 Family Favorites survey, Woodlake Nature Center’s 150 acres offers something for everyone! Start your visit in the Woodlake Nature Center building to see live animals such as turtles, fish, snakes, and salamanders! Explore the extensive taxidermy collection, look in a microscope, or relax in the bird viewing corner, waiting to see one of the hundreds of birds that call Woodlake home.
On your way into the park, pick up one of 6 nature exploration backpacks at the front desk. Filled with all of the tools you will need to explore, topics include insect exploration, forest exploration, and birding.
Trails:
Woodlake has over 2 miles of trails through cattail marsh, mixed lowland forest, and restored prairie. Almost all paths are paved, crushed limestone, or boardwalk, making them wheelchair and stroller friendly. Woodlake also has 2 all-terrain wheelchairs available for use. During our visit to Woodlake, I saw the biggest snapping turtle I’ve ever seen swim by on the Boardwalk Trail!
Perimeter Trail: 1.8 Miles
Prairie Trial: 1.7 Miles
Boardwalk Trail: .8 Miles
Forest Trail: .2 Miles
Woodland Trail: .1 Miles
Nature Play Area:
Proven to support creativity and problem-solving, enhance cognitive abilities, improve academic performance, improve social relationships, reduce stress, and so much more, natural play areas are the perfect place to relax and let your children explore. Woodland’s natural play area is open daily from dawn to dusk.
Geocaching:
Throughout Woodlake’s 150 acres are multiple waterproof hide-and-seek containers waiting to be discovered using the GPS system. Download the geocaching app on your mobile phone, or check out a GPS receiver at the front desk to get started.
Hammock Station:
Something that sets this nature center apart is the hammock station near the Woodland Trail Loop. Bring your own, or check one out at the front desk.
Winter:
In the winter, Woodlake packs and grooms its walking trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Ski Trail: 2 Miles
A winter exploration backpack is also available for checkout at the nature center’s front desk.
Woodlake Nature Center | Richfield
6710 Lake Shore Dr S, Richfield, MN 55423
Phone: (612) 861-9365
For more information on the Woodlake Nature Center, visit www.richfieldmn.gov
Nicole is the mom to two young children. Together they are embarking on adventures and discovering the wonders of Minnesota. You can follow along on Instagram @mnbucketlistmom
