Near Minneapolis Is An Idyllic Nature Center With Wetlands, Trails, And Wildlife

With hundreds of parks scattered across Minnesota's Twin Cities metro area, finding a place to spend time in nature is easy. But one idyllic escape consistently stands out, earning a 4.8-star Google rating from locals. Westwood Hills Nature Center is a 160-acre nature preserve, with a peaceful lake, hardwood forests, open prairies, and marshlands full of wildlife. Visitors can explore the park's wetland habitats along the miles of trails, and spot waterfowl from the wooden docks and boardwalks.

You'll find Westwood Hills Nature Center in the city of St. Louis Park, roughly 15 minutes west of Minneapolis, via Interstate 394. Before hitting the trails, visitors can stop by the 13,300-square-foot award-winning interpretive center, which opened in 2020. Here, you can view educational exhibits on wildlife conservation and learn about the center's zero-energy sustainability practices. Alternatively, the kids can check out the live animals, including turtles, snakes, and birds of prey. A local Google user had this to say: "I love this place...you forget you're in the middle of the city. The building is very clean. Lots of educational materials inside and usually a lot of wildlife outside, including deer."

If you're searching for a peaceful place to escape in the Twin Cities, this nature center is a convenient spot not far from Minneapolis or Saint Paul. The park is free to visit, with trails that are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Drop by the interpretive center Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or on weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just keep in mind that there is a strict no-pet policy here, so bring the kids, but leave the pup at home. Before you visit, check out the St. Louis Park Westwood Hills website for a full list of rules.

Unlike Cleary Lake Regional Park, a scenic lake park near Minneapolis,  Westwood Hills Nature Center doesn't allow fishing, boating, or swimming. Instead, the best way to explore the preserve is on foot. The park has roughly 3 miles of trails, with the main route through the marshland around Westwood Lake. The trail features mixed surfaces with elevated boardwalks, which makes it easy for hikers of all skill levels. The floating boardwalks and docks are a standout, providing places to pause and admire waterfowl on the lake or spot the occasional hawk or bald eagle flying high over the wetlands. An AllTrails user said this about the trail, "Cool one with stunning water views, most notably accessible through two fun docks towards the beginning and end of the trail. Floating boardwalks over marshes were super adorable, & joyful to cross."

Keep an eye out for local wildlife; it's abundant here. It's common to see everything from white-tailed deer to wild turkeys to snakes to turtles sunning on logs. Trumpeter swans and woodpeckers are spotted regularly, along with wading ducks and the common loon, Minnesota's state bird. If you're a birdwatcher, bring your binoculars: eBird recorded over 200 bird species visiting the park. A local birder and Facebook user enjoys watching the swans at the lake and had this to say: "What a gorgeous day! Saw my Westwood Hills Nature Center swans building their nest in a great spot next to the dock."

Make some time to check out the small waterfall and the turtle pond from the water garden observation deck. It's a pretty spot for pictures or simply to sit and listen to water gush over the rocks. You could easily spend an entire day at Westwood Hills. But you should also get to know St. Louis Park, a charming Midwestern City boasting local shops and trendy eats. And if you're here on vacation, don't miss these must-visit attractions in Minneapolis.