Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Home to over 10 miles of hiking trails that take visitors through over 500 acres of prairies, wetlands and forests. An observation tower provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding preserve. The Interpretative Center offers a variety of displays, hands on exhibits and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Live educational animals allow visitors to get up close to some exciting native species. The Childhood Room features a library, puzzles, games and a great view of the bird feeders. The Jay C Hormel Nature Center offers ski and snow shoe rental in the winter, kayak and canoe rental in the summer and many special events year-round.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingWhat is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
68 within 5 kms
Attractions
24 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
69 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
19
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
1
VandyJo
Middleton, WI191 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
This center is truly a gem that you would expect to find in a far larger community than Austin. Then again, this small Minnesota city overall lives bigger than its population would indicate.
The visitor center itself is beautifully designed and filled with hands-on exhibits to engage adult and child. Located right off Interstate 90, this center could be a brief diversion for any weary traveler. The building is open daily except Sunday.
The grounds themselves, featurung a network of well-marked and level trails, showcase a variety of environments, including oak savannah, woodland, and prairie. A small stream and pond are water features.
There is also a sugar shack for early spring maple sugaring. A charming covered bridge sponsored by the Lions Club spons the creek.
This is a perfect place for Austin city resident or traveler to be immersed in the healing power of nature.
The visitor center itself is beautifully designed and filled with hands-on exhibits to engage adult and child. Located right off Interstate 90, this center could be a brief diversion for any weary traveler. The building is open daily except Sunday.
The grounds themselves, featurung a network of well-marked and level trails, showcase a variety of environments, including oak savannah, woodland, and prairie. A small stream and pond are water features.
There is also a sugar shack for early spring maple sugaring. A charming covered bridge sponsored by the Lions Club spons the creek.
This is a perfect place for Austin city resident or traveler to be immersed in the healing power of nature.
Written 11 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrianna F
73 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
It had rained in the morning so the ground was so squishy and it was a bit chilly. It was a nice walk to the observation deck. Got there and to the parking lot in about an hour. Beware of ticks! I left with 3 hitching a ride on my sweater. Which is normal for nature but just a prewarning. The only animals I saw were geese, was hoping for a bit more wild life. The observation deck gave a great view of the worth the walk!
Written 5 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meredith M
2 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Kelly was absolutely amazing this morning. Being bright, cheerful and knowledgeable at 4:00 is asking a lot, but there she was. Thank you so very much for the amazing experience this morning at Sola Fide. It was the far beyond our expectations!!!
Written 26 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carolyn C
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Love Austin, lots to do. Loved Zilker park and walking paths. Toured the city on a double decker bus which was fun. Visited the Capital and Johnson Library. Lots of brew pubs also. Stayed till end of March and tons of Bluebonnets.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ron C
2 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Enjoyed the indoor area the most.
A few large rescue birds were the highlight to us.
No charge! Maple syrup is sold as fund-raising if desired, no pressure.
Maps of trails and Austin were available. Staff was also very helpful.
Nature trails available for a short or long walks. There is a large granite boulder for kids to climb onto.
A few large rescue birds were the highlight to us.
No charge! Maple syrup is sold as fund-raising if desired, no pressure.
Maps of trails and Austin were available. Staff was also very helpful.
Nature trails available for a short or long walks. There is a large granite boulder for kids to climb onto.
Written 3 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dml130
Marquette, MI35 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We had traveled from South Dakota and needed a good walk. They advertise 10 miles of trails and we spent 90 minutes walking on many of them. It's free with good options for both walking in the sun and shade. There were some prairie flowers blooming when we were there. Highly recommended after a day in the car.
Written 30 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marquisman
Owatonna MN92 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
Our most recent visit was a meeting of the Austin Izaak Walton League and Austin Audubon Society. We listened to a solo drama of the life of Aldo Leopold - noted conservation writer. The presentation was outstanding, the facility was well suited to the program and the company was great.
Written 7 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLYTOANYWHERE
Austin, MN181 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
I took my granddaughter there the other day.
It is fun to go for a nice walk and see nature.
And inside there is much to look at and see and touch.
It is fun to go for a nice walk and see nature.
And inside there is much to look at and see and touch.
Written 30 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ed B
Huntington Beach, CA36 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
Excellent wildlife museum with examples of the indigenous animals. The trails are well maintained and give you a sense of walking through a forest.
Written 25 February 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgan R
Austin, Minnesota, United States7 contributions
Oct 2012
good trails, activities are fun and cool, went tor a feild trip for school and went in the rivers c: friendly people out there
Written 25 December 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary Ann V
Apple Valley, Minnesota
What is the price to enter the Nature Center
Written 30 September 2022
Ben S
Austin, Minnesota
Hey,
We do not do paddleboard rentals but if you have one of your own you are welcome to come paddleboard on the pond or down the river to East Side Lake.
I would check with the front desk first before using the pond just in case we are using it for a class that day.
Thank you.
Written 22 August 2019
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing