Minneapolis parkland includes many nature spaces, including woodlands, wetlands, prairies, ravines, bluffs, riverfronts and lakeshores. Explore and enjoy spectacular vistas and secluded trails over hundreds of acres!

For those who appreciate some guidance, MPRB naturalists lead hundreds of programs and activities, all year round opportunities and for all ages, abilities and interests.

The options below highlight programs and places designed to help you connect with nature. Click the menus for details on citywide program offerings through the Neighborhood Naturalist Program, plus additional programs at key locations.

Neighborhood Naturalist Program: Guided Experiences in Parks City-wide

Naturalists lead experiences in park spaces all across Minneapolis.  Year-round opportunities for all ages to engage with and explore nature in the neighborhood.

Nature Programs for Pre-schoolers

Drop-in Discovery

Who: All ages

What: Each week drop-in and discover nature right in your neighborhood park! Come explore in the park, investigate curiosities, engage in art or experimentation. Each visit offers a different option for nature exploring — such as meeting live animals, dissecting an owl pellet, touching furs or skulls, and much more! No need to register, just stop on by for FREE naturalist-guided exploration!

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Nature Play Group

Who: 1.5-4 years with an adult care-giver

What: Get those inquisitive minds and bodies exploring nature and socializing with peers! Bring your little one to play and have fun outside with other children and their grown-ups. Each day will focus on a different seasonal nature theme and offer opportunities for observing, following curiosity, and sensory investigation during this outdoor exploration time! This is an Adult/Child interactive program.

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Nature Corner

Who: 0 – 6 years with an adult care-giver

What: Bring your little one to play and get some energy out with other children and their grown ups. A Neighborhood Naturalist will have a drop-in nature corner set up as part of the registration-based Indoor Playground program at various neighborhood parks. Each week the naturalist activities and materials will focus on a different seasonal nature theme that offers opportunities for curiosity and sensory investigation for families with young children.

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Preschool Nature Camps

Who: 3.5 – 5 years

What: Explore the sights, sounds, smells, touches, and even tastes of season at Wirth Park! We’ll experience the park using all our senses, and search for animals with incredible senses (or the evidence they leave behind). Expect hikes in the woods, visits to gardens, up-close encounters with education animals, and plenty of fun!

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Nature Programs for School-Age Children

Drop-in Discovery

Who: All ages

What: Each week drop-in and discover nature right in your neighborhood park! Come explore in the park, investigate curiosities, engage in art or experimentation. Each visit offers a different option for nature exploring — such as meeting live animals, dissecting an owl pellet, touching furs or skulls, and much more! No need to register, just stop on by for FREE naturalist-guided exploration!

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Nature Explorer Camps

Who: 7 – 11 or 9 – 13 years, depending on park location

What: Delight in nature explorations while playing outside at a Minneapolis Regional Park this summer! Follow your curiosity to map the park, discover what creatures live in a creek, and adventure through gardens in search of cool plants and pollinators. Meet live education animals up close, then hike to seek wildlife, or the clues they leave behind. Each day is sure to offer a summer adventure full of outdoor fun in nature!

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Nature Programs and Activities for Families

Drop-in Discovery

Who: All ages

What: Each week drop-in and discover nature right in your neighborhood park! Come explore in the park, investigate curiosities, engage in art or experimentation. Each visit offers a different option for nature exploring — such as meeting live animals, dissecting an owl pellet, touching furs or skulls, and much more! No need to register, just stop on by for FREE naturalist-guided exploration!

Get Times & Locations

Drop-in Snowshoeing (Season typically Late December to Early March)

Who: 5 years and up

What: Get active this winter by trying snowshoeing for FREE during this drop-in activity at several parks across the city. A naturalist will be on site to get you set up and show you the basics and then you are free to explore the park on your own. All materials provided – please wear winter boots for use with snowshoes.   Program dependent on snow cover (requires 6 “ on the ground).

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Drop-in Canoeing (Season June to August)

Who: 5 years and up

What: Get active this winter by trying snowshoeing for FREE during this drop-in activity at several parks across the city. A naturalist will be on site to get you set up and show you the basics and then you are free to explore the park on your own. All materials provided – please wear winter boots for use with snowshoes.   Program dependent on snow cover (requires 6 “ on the ground).

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Canoeing Programs (Season typically May to September)

Who: All Ages (children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an  adult)

What: Experience the City of Lakes from the water! First learn paddling techniques and safety tips on land from trained Canoe Instructor staff, then enjoy a leisurely exploration on the water with whatever level of naturalist guidance your prefer. Look for wildlife from your boat and take in the serenity of the lake. Canoes, life vests and paddles are included and registration is required.

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Canoeing Programs (Season typically May to September)

Who: All Ages (children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an  adult)

What: Experience the City of Lakes from the water! First learn paddling techniques and safety tips on land from trained Canoe Instructor staff, then enjoy a leisurely exploration on the water with whatever level of naturalist guidance your prefer. Look for wildlife from your boat and take in the serenity of the lake. Canoes, life vests and paddles are included and registration is required.

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Nature Programs for Adults

"With-a-Naturalist" Programs

Who: Most programs are for ages 18 and up, but a few include young people ages 8, 12, or 16 and up.

What: Walk, Bike, Bird, Paddle, Wander….with a Naturalist.  Browse a range of programs offering a Naturalist-led experience in topics such as Birding, Forest Bathing, Astronomy, Water Quality, and more.

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Night out with Nature

Who: Adults 18+

What: Ready for a night out with nature?  Whether it’s for a date night, a “Gal-intine’s” day, time with friends, or a chance to meet new people, the Neighborhood Naturalists are offering a variety of programs designed to help adults connect with nature through campfires, exploration, books, creativity, and more.

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Destinations Dedicated to Nature

MPRB naturalists lead experiences in park spaces all across Minneapolis.  Year-round opportunities for all ages to engage with and explore nature in your neighborhood.

Carl W. Kroening Nature Center
Minneapolis’ only nature center features a permanent exhibit on “Nature in the City” and offers year-round programs and events for all ages and interests. Many take place outside in North Mississippi Regional Park, a spectacular site with 67 acres of woods and prairie along the Mississippi River.
Browse all programs | More information on the Center

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary
Open to the public April through October for activities and trail exploration.  This oldest public wildflower garden in the U.S. (est. 1907) is nestled in Theodore Wirth Regional Park and includes woodland, wetland and prairie landscapes.
Browse all programs and get more information

JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden
In season, everyone is welcome to visit this one-acre garden in Theodore Wirth Regional Park, which is devoted to helping youth discover the joys of growing, preparing and eating healthy food. The garden is accessible June through August; hours vary depending on staffing and programming.
Browse all programs | More information on the Garden

Explore Other Nature Destinations in Minneapolis Parks

Minnehaha Creek Park – This highlight of the Minneapolis park system connects to Mississippi River Gorge Regional Park via the Winchell Trail and Historic Fort Snelling at Bdote via the Minnesota Valley State Trail.

Mississippi Gorge Regional Park – Hardwood forests, steep bluffs and flat bottom-lands give this park a semi-wild character.

Nokomis Naturescape Garden – Planted in the late 1990s, an array of native grasses and wildflowers thrive on four acres northeast of Lake Nokomis.

Quaking Bog – Restoration began in the 1980s at this unique, five-acre site in Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

Roberts Bird Sanctuary – Designated in 1936, the sanctuary comprises 31 acres of woodlands and wetlands north of Lake Harriet.

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary – Woodland, wetland and prairie landscapes come together at the oldest public wildflower garden in the U.S. (est. 1907), located in Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

JD Rivers’ Children’s Garden – In season, everyone is welcome to visit this one-acre garden in Theodore Wirth Regional Park, which is devoted to helping youth discover the joys of growing, preparing and eating healthy food. The garden is accessible June through August; hours vary depending on staffing and programming.

North Mississippi Regional Park & Carl W. Kroening Interpretive Center – This spectacular site includes 67 acres of woods and prairie along the Mississippi River; the center hosts an array of programs for all ages and interests.

Interactive Map: Managed Natural Areas in the Minneapolis park system More than a dozen other places are highlighted on this map developed in 2023, which includes notes on history and current management efforts.

Special Events

Participate in annual events that celebrate nature and the environment. Learn about volunteer opportunities.

Earth Day Clean Up

The annual Earth Day Cleanup has become the biggest community service project in the city.

Arbor Day

Minneapolis has celebrated Arbor Day for more than a century, reminding the community about the importance of urban forestry, trees and tree care.

Pollinator Party

Buzz over to the Pollinator Party, a celebration of the life and work of honey bees and wild bees.

Monarch Festival

The annual Monarch Festival celebrates the monarch butterfly’s amazing migration from Minnesota to Mexico and raises awareness of the need to provide and protect monarch habitat.

National Get Outdoors Day

Canoes! Archery! Climbing! Fishing! And so much more … Everyone is welcome to try out an awesome variety of outdoor activities at this free annual festival.

Program Fee Assistance

Minneapolis residents who cannot afford instructional fees because of economic need may apply for fee assistance through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Fee Assistance Program.

Browse All Nature Programs

Use MPRB’s registration system to browse and sign up for nature programs. You can also call or stop by a Recreation Center near you, or call Customer Service: 612-230-6400, Mon–Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm.

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