General
Friends Group paints the park office
Friends of Nerstrand spruce up the park office
October 10, 2024
Welcome to the big woods. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park protects a forest the Dakota called Ċaŋsoke, or “thick woods.” When large-scale logging threatened it in the 1930s, conservationists advocated for a state park, which was established in 1945.
Today, 11 miles of trails wind through maple-basswood forest, oak forest, swamp, and meadows. The highlight is Hidden Falls—a serene 20-foot waterfall just half a mile from the picnic grounds.
Spring brings rare Dwarf Trout Lilies, found in only three Minnesota counties. While climate change has caused wetter conditions and tree die-off, it’s also created abundant habitat for redheaded woodpeckers, now thriving here alongside bobolinks and diverse bird species.
Friends of Nerstrand spruce up the park office
In 2018, Parks & Trails Council partnered with five Friends Groups to spearhead habitat restoration projects at natural areas around the state. See our recap of their activities below.
A community organization devoted to preserving and enhancing the experience of Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. This group seeks to:
Friends Since: 2013