Quarry Hill Nature Center Reviews

I have visited several times, small but informative center for kids. The grounds are full of nature and hiking/walking opportunities. If have free time and like nature, worth the time.

Such a wonderful and very needed area. We are visiting them very often, strolling, They have nice Summer Camps and other events. Thanks.

The trails were well maintained and the map was easy to read and follow. The staff was helpful. The wildlife was abundant.

Good place to take the family for a day if visiting from out of town and looking for something to do. I would have gave it a higher rating but the place seems like it is always very busy and for nature walks most people prefer a quieter setting.

What a fun and interesting learning experience we were able to do with my daughter and grandchildren! The participants were in character and kept us all interested! It wasn’t too long of a hike for little and older... legs. The staff was knowledgeable and made learning fun. I’m glad we attended!

My son's family are members so he got invited to watch bird banding. The are certificated by the federal government to catch band and release the birds in the area.

They check there health and record the information on a website for them to track.

It was a fun experience and my wife was able to release one of the birds.

Spent a couple hours at this wonderful nature preserve birding. Great diversity with songbirds, ducks, woodpeckers and and other species.

We had a great time at the Quarry Hill Nature Center. The nature center had a lot of animals for the kids to see. We were able to feed the fish and read stories in the library. They had a bird watching area and place to observe bees. The trails were kept in great condition and we enjoyed taking a long walk. My 4 year old didn't want to leave. They even have a rock climbing wall, that we saw others using. It was a wonderful place to visit with young children.

Quarry Hill is a quiet nature center that exists to give the people of Rochester and the surrounding areas something to do on a budget. This is a great place to take kids, I know I even went here when I was a kid on several occasions. There's often events going on, so as a hint, I would say look up events before planning your trip there, and try to go when there is an event--you won't regret it.

Otherwise, if you manage to go when there isn't an event, this place is still a pretty cool place to visit especially for those looking for a nature adventure.

We love hiking here different times of the year. Tadpoles in the spring up in the quarry are awesome to see!

I love this place. I have visited it at least yearly for the last 28 years. It never fails me. The last time was days ago with my grandchildren, daughter and son in law. Opened during Christmas break. Free. Warm. Educational. Delightful. Hands on. Fun. Four rooms. Quiet. Peaceful. You can go there and do outside things too. Last year we (ages 59-14) rented cross country skis and skied on the trails. Heavenly. Well thought out. Years ago, I took classes there with my preschool daughter. Very nice teachers and reasonably priced. Sent all five of my kids to summer day camp there. Excellent systems in place for teaching a slew of kids about nature. Sign up early as spots fill quickly.

Such an asset to the community, learning opportunities are boundless. They keep the exhibits fresh and are very inviting to people of all ages.

This is the place to take your kids if you are trying to find something to do. The animals are fun to watch and they have fun hiking trails for the kids.

Its a beautiful area. Rochester is lucky to have it. Great place to walk the dogs (on leashes) and I look forward to some winter hiking and maybe snowshoeing. Can get crowded on summer weekends.

This is a great place to hike or bike. Kids are often seen fishing in the pond. There are nice exhibits inside. The facility is being expanded.

The visitor's center has a cool TRex! Great paved and off road trails. Plenty of poke'mon gyms and poke' stops.

This is a fun place for families with kids as well as adults. The hiking trails are on our list of favorite in town hikes.

perfect for family outing to walk the trails or visit the free-will donation nature center. Live fish, snakes and bee hive are fun for little kids.

Also, if looking for a unique gathering area it's a great place to have smaller parties and bring in your own food for a more affordable party.

If you are looking to wind down and relax, this is the perfect spot in Rochester. Plenty of trails to walk and sights to see. Some times of the year you may want to bring some bug spray!

The nature center has many different animal exhibits to keep kids busy. Parents enjoy it too. They offer cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Lots of trails to explore at any time of the year. You could go on a cave tour if you find the schedule and reserve a spot. There is also the pond to cross on the floating bridge and you are able to canoe on it as well. Many turtles sunbathe on the logs. Go and enjoy.

On a recent trip to Rochester for work, I scouted trail running opportunities, and came across Quarry Hill nature center. I’m really glad I did, as this park is stunning! It is seriously one of the best parks I’ve been to in the state of Minnesota.

Even the pickiest of nature lovers will find something to their liking. There are ponds, grassy trails, oak savannahs, paved walkways, steep inclines, wooded single track, benches galore, and of course the quarry ruins. Cap it all off with some tremendous views of downtown Rochester and you have an amazing park. On my trip I stumble across several groups of deer, plus a small family of Canada Geese, complete with goslings in tow.

The one complaint I have would be signage. The maps provided are very good, but there is not a great deal of signage on the trails, making a sustained run for a first time visitor a tough proposition. I had to stop many times to check the map and evaluate my location, which took away from the experience of the run (although, because the map was on point, it made the orienteering aspect a lot of fun).

Really, this park is amazing. Go here.

Wow! What a fun day we had exploring the Quarry and seeing the history of the area! Something for everyone children included!
Hiking, biking, fishing.

This is a quiet, beautiful small place for any nature lover, dog walker, families with young kids and elementary school kids to spend time in. The nature center has a nice facility houses several species of turtles, fish and a bee colony. There is a cozy little children's library for the kids, binoculars to observe the colorful birds outside the windows. There is a man made pond you can see turtles suning themselves and varieties of fish, frogs, ducks, Canada geese. There is case used to be a used for food storage for the state hospital you can tour, a cemetery for the patients of the state hospital, and on top of the hill, you can see the reminant of the old quarry which used to supply building materials and road construction materials. There are plenty wild flowers, wild life, and a beautiful stream tuning through the park. Plenty trails for people with different mobilities to use. In winter, you can rent snow shoes for a small fee. There are harvest festivals in the fall and plenty nature camps in the summer. It is always very nice to go there, you will be able to relax in nature. We always enjoy spend time there in any season.

Quarry Hill Nature Center has many good hiking trails as well as activities such as bird banding and several other activities for children of all ages.

This was not on our original plan for our time in Rochester, however we had a free afternoon and found this to be a beautiful place to take a quiet walk. They have benches along the paths if you need to sit to rest and/or meditate. The information provided by the center is very informative.

A great place to learn more about the world around us. A small lake/pond offers canoeing. Trails are through a rugged area of Rochester, MN with a special history of the caves.

We are in town visiting friends. We went to Quarry Hill with 8 kids between the ages of 3-11. This is an updated nature center with a few rooms to explore, as well as a little reading book/quiet play area. All 8 kids and parents had a great time. We frequent nature centers and this is one of the nicest ones we have been to. There are also some nice trails near a pond to walk on.

We don't live in Rochester but if we did, this would definitely be a place I'd bring my children to again! Thank you for an entertaining couple of hours, Quarry Hill!

Nice park for an afternoon walk. Lots of trails that are level with easy walking, but some are more challenging. There is a nice pond and a nature center to see the local wildlife.

This is a good place to hike but the Nature Center is weak.
There are numerous trails and they are varied and scenic. Perhaps I should give the Nature Center the benefit of the doubt since it is under renovation. But, I surely would not rank it as one of the ten best places to visit in Rochester unless your sole goal is hiking.

Fun place to bring the family. Biking trails, hiking trails, & an interpretive center. Lots of special events, easy 1.5 mile bike ride from downtown.

All ages enjoy this place of learning and appreciating nature. It is open all but 4 days out of the year. If weather is bad, a person can be inside the nature center and visit many displays. Otherwise the paths and little lake are great to walk on. The history of the caves (which you can not enter) is important, too.

Great nature center for singles, couples, and families. Lots of activities offered. Hike, ski, events, children's activities galore. Pond, nature center, trails....

We were in Rochester for a couple of Mayo visits. My husband and I like to find quiet park spaces where he can nap in the shade while I read poetry and journal! Mission accomplished here! We set up “camp” in the old state hospital cemetery. It was down in a valley with a great breeze and some large shade trees. A reflective quiet space.
The trails were marked well and contained lots of information on history of the site and information on the different plants and trees.

I have been visiting Quarry Hill nature Center with family and friends for 35 years. I am a former member of the advisory board there. I firmly believe that no one who has ever visited this remarkable place has walked away disappointed. Whether you are interested in a walk in the woods, a stroll around the pond, hearing bird songs piped in through speakers, or seeing a beehive from the inside, time will fly by.
Ted Krall

Here in this little museum, is an extremely rare find. I could not
believe they have the only most complete dinosaur head in the
world. They also have a huge fish tank, a working beehive,
snakes, spider and you name it. A great free place to take the
kids...the trails look interesting also.

This place is awesome for kids. We go here a few times a year and are never disappointed. There is a lot for kids to do and learn about. There is also a large area for kids to hike and walk to burn off some energy. The staff here are great as well and are very knowledgeable and helpful. Creatures of the night is also a very fun time for the kids.

Several times a year Center posts family events and the kids are encouraged to participate. Both my kids love Quarry Hill! It is a short drive from downtown Rochester so it's an unexpected Jewel! Very cool Museum as well.

Interesting for the younger ones, not so much for the older. The two highlights were feeding the minnows to the fish and the nature trail, lots of photo opportunities. Lots of information on Nature and a lot of stuffed animals. Overall a good experience. Will definately return again.

Quarry Hill is a great way to spend an afternoon outside exploring. There are trails to hike, picnic benches to lunch at, and a nature center to look through.

We enjoy walking the nature trail around the pond and along the river. There is also a wide paved trail for walkers, runners and bikes. Take time to enjoy the ducks, birds and butterflies. If you are inclined there are several trails with a challenge. Look for the plaque to read the history of the quarry and find the geocaches in the area. Enjoy!

Sad we visited but it was open there is still places to go for a walk or jug, so a person can still enjoy part of the park area. I just wish they would post that they are closed on the web site to help people plan there days.

Great place to go outdoors walk the paths , you can tell they keep the grounds kept nicely. If the building is open go inside look at the animals and see what you can learn. Fun for all ages

We finally had an opportunity to visit the Quarry Hill Nature Center and we loved it. It is a beautiful place for a walk or bike ride. They have paved trails and grass trails and even more rustic trails. The Nature Center itself is a nice facility with a fish tank and a dinosaur head. We will will come back again when we visit Rochester!

The nature center and surrounding trails are a fun spot for learning local natural history, or for just spending some quality relaxing time with family.

In all types of weather we enjoy Quarry Hill. Long hikes, short walks, outdoor talks for kids, skiing in winter, birdwatching in all weather in or outdoors, exhibits, library, demonstrations, camps, festivals. We adore Quarry Hill for all ages in all seasons.

I used to love coming here as a child, so it's always a pleasure to return here as an adult and find that the same things are enjoyable. Quarry Hill is a wonderful way to expose children to the wonders of nature, especially via classes and hiking. I took classes here in middle school and they were always fascinating.

I keep thinking there must be an entrance fee, but no, I just go on in and wonder when someone is going to stop me! A nice parking area, visitor center with staff and nice trails. We've gone at different times of the year but snowshoed most recently. Very nice and lots of options to keep you busy for a while with some flat but lots of up and downs, too.
The one thing that always kind of baffles me is that the first large sign you see when you walk in from the parking lot doesn't have a map on it. This last time I was left scratching my head as to where it was ok to snowshoe vs. ski. Come to find out there is a different large sign kind of behind the visitor center with a map on it, but I still don't think it was super clear on where it was ok to snowshoe. I think if you used the visitor center to put on your snowshoes or skiis (they rent stuff - or maybe that's free too - I don't know!) then you'd walk out the back door where this sign exists. The visitor center has a very nice room with bathrooms and plenty of space for putting on snowshoes.
We did see that some of the flatter trails had been groomed for skate skiing (at least no tracks were set for classical). We just stayed off of those and there were plenty of places to snowshoe.
Another bonus? It was a windy day with a fairly cold windchill. Being in and out of the hills kept us mostly protected and we were quite comfortable.
Wish I lived just a bit closer - I'd be there much more often.

The children's programs are a hit with my grandson's. I have been taking them since they were toddlers. They ask to go to Quarry Hill on a regular basis to hike and attend activities. There is a variety of activities to sign up for for many ages.

Took a group of teens here. They enjoyed the nature tour, took a cave tour, and canoed! We also went geocaching in their bike trails. Completely free and fun!

A gem of Rochester! Great for kids, great for adults. Something new each season. The staff is incredible!

Nature center is really well done for it's size, so much to look at in a well organize way. Lots to see without too much reading, and the outdoor areas/paths were well maintained. Relaxing short stop!

I strongly encourage anyone who is staying in Rochester, or nearby, to plan a few hours to take in this wonderful place. If you are in Rochester for an extended period of medical testing treat yourself to this stunning oasis of solitude, and beauty, as it will lift your spirits and brighten your overall outlook. If you are in town on business for a few days, try to schedule this little jewel into your schedule. There are a variety of trails so pretty much anyone can find one suitable to their fitness level. While there may be several people there during your time there you will not really even notice due to the stunning views surrounding the nature center. EXCELLENT place to take your children as there are a variety of educational opportunities at the nature center. There are books, brochures, live animals, and a VERY knowledgeable staff eager to share their vast amount of information or leave you to just "browse" at your own pace. I have visited MANY times and have yet to be disappointed with the small amount of effort it takes to get to the nature center. (Which is minimal, at best, if you have your own vehicle.

Wonderful and informative nature center, great for kids with smaller animals and reptiles and great hiking trails. I would recommend getting a map before you hike as the trails intersect and can be confusing.

Great area with lots of hiking trails. We found the quarry and original Mayo cemetery very interesting. Visitor center has lots of interesting exhibits. Was very busy the day we went. We spent 3 hours here and only got around half of it. Many markers around that have many historical facts of the area.

Going to Quarry Hill is a high recommendation for anyone visiting the area. Everything there is free to do, so great for people on a budget! The trails are beautiful and well maintained, there are educational events going on all the time, and the center itself is rich with exhibits. My kids especially love the huge fish tank where you can buy minnows to feed the fish!

Took our grandchildren here and was amazed at all it had to offer people of all ages! The trails are awesome, so much to see. Animals for the kids to see, you can fish in the ponds, go check out the caves! Fun fun fun

Awesome trails and park.
Playground area is very nice for the kids.
My grandson loves going to Quarry Hill park!

This is clearly a Rochester favorite for family outings. The sign on route 22 pointing to the entrance is pretty small though, so keep your eyes peeled.
Once you get in and parked, the actual nature center is fun For the kids and has some maps, including a useful "fossil list" of what you might find if you go up the mountain to the quarry.
If you take the north trail and proceed up past the parking lot to the middle school, come back down to the western terminus, and return to the nature center, that's over four miles, a good addition to anyone's tally of steps (if you might happen to be wearing your Fitbit). Quite a few people are running and walking their dogs too.
You might hike up the hill to see the old quarry on a second visit; this locale is worth more than one expedition of discovery.
Travel safely!

Have enjoyed multiple trips to Quarry Hill Nature Center. During my teaching career it was the "highlight" field trip on our calendar. I continued visiting the center with the grandchildren that spent summers in Rochester. They loved the exhibits, the trails and especially the ponds. I think the best visit was a Dinosaur Exhibit. They refer to it yet in 2017.

We had a great time at Quarry Hill - we had a family picnic and had a great walk. Kids (7,5,3,1) all loved it. The ducks on the pond were the kids' favorite thing. The nature center is great - lots of interesting things for all ages and multiple visits.

I used to go on field trips here and think it is a great place. The nature center offers various animal exhibits and the outdoor area has a large pond, hiking trails, rock quarry where you can look for fossils, and a cemetery they did a great job restoring.

This is a great and economical way of trying cross country skiing. You can rent boots, skis, and poles and it was only $13 for our whole family. The trails are beautiful and there is a lot to see in the center as well. Our second grader loves the snapping turtle and feeding the fish.

Great hiking trails leading up to the visitor center. Huge aquarium, bee hive and bird viewing area. Really unexpected but a nice getaway.

Hiking, running and biking trails within the city. Several naturalist programs year round.
Plenty of stuff to do, just visit their website to check what is going on. In the summer, we go there to hike and bike. In the winter, there are cross country ski equipment for rent and the trails are part of the system that are groomed. Very nice friendly staff. There are also picnic area to rent for birthday parties or family gatherings.

Staff was friendly and helpful. Loved the exhibits and looking at the turtles and snakes. My favorite was the replica of the T-Rex skull.

I love this very special nature park that is close to my home which is dog friendly has hundreds of birds to see and great trails. Very safe, staff and local bird watchers are helpful; it is a great place to get out and walk at any time of the year. It is teeming with wildlife. Great for children.

The nature center has been remodeled and is now very user freindly. Grand kids love going there and the trails are great for hiking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Very informative and educational.

Quarry hill is a serene winter hiking spot.
I hiked there from downtown. From the civic center, half mile north on the bike path on the east side of the zumbro river.
Then take a right at mayo field, and 1 mile down that trail is a back door entrance under the train tracks to the Quarry Hill Nature Center.

Worth the hike!

Some neat history of the rock mining from the hill, as well as a cave for old time refrigeration. But mainly a beautiful, peaceful woodsy area.

Had a cross country ski trail as well.

Great for hiking and getting away from it all.

After spending days at the Mayo clinic it was nice to hike and be outdoors and feel like you are in the country. Only had an hour to spend, but was able to complete one trail. Nice variety of meadows, tree lined trails, inclines and flat ground. Saw birds and butterfly. Trails are nicely groomed. Nature center has nice displays. There were several kids on camps, but they were all well behaved and their leaders had them fully engaged.

Quarry Hill, on the east edge of town, offers a vivid history, a nature center, and miles of good easy walking.

Enjoyed our time there. We viewed some great exhibits in the nature center. Then went on some lovely walks with our little dog. Beautiful space. The Rochester state hospital cemetery was a well done, touching area to see.

This is a great place to hike....many trail opportunities with different levels of difficulty. The visitors center has lots of things for kids to touch and feel, it also has many live animals to observe. The hike includes birdwatching (lots of beautiful cardinals and woodpeckers), fossil hunting (we didn't find anything bigger than a nickel in size), a cemetery for patients of a mental hospital, and the remains of a cool limestone quarry. Was a fun afternoon in nature with my 13 year old son even though it was very slippery in the mud.

The QHNC in Rochester has recently undergone a remodel. There are many interactive exhibits to entertain curious children and adults. The trails are well maintained and there is much local wildlife to be seen. So much has changed since the original opening in 1973!

The nature center, although not 'fancy' is interesting and informative. Kids love it. The staff do a wonderful job for children's birthday parties. They make it fun and interactive. There are miles of hiking trails, some on paved trails, others on rougher terrain. All beautiful.

Nature at its finest within city limits. Great summer camp opportunities for kids of all ages. Terrific hiking trails for novice to experienced hikers.

Several interesting areas to see as well as a small interpretive center. Great way to spend an hour or two. Pretty challenging terrain in some areas off the paved pathway.

Great place to take young kids and teens. Hiking, exploring nature center. Ski and snow shoe rental for trails

Quarry Hill has an extensive trail system that is well marked with mileage. The park is easy to get to by car, has parking and is a nice place for a walk any time of day.

I have visited Quarry Hill many times with my family. It is as fun each time as it was the first time. We always enjoy Quarry Hill. There is always something to do or see for all ages.

This park is located in the south east part of town so you will need a vehicle. Once you arrive there is free parking and very accessible. The staff are excellent about answering questions, but it is a self guided tour. They have a huge variety of animals for children to learn about. The caves are an excellent part of Rochester's history, but may not always be open to the public. They have excellent walking paths for hikes, and a small pond for canoeing. If you enjoy the outdoors in winter they have cross country skiing and snow shoeing! They often sponsor special exhibits and community events - some that they charge for others that are free.

Stopped to kill some time in between appointments and was pleasantly surprised! We have three teens and two toddlers with us and all of the kids enjoyed the many displays. Lots to do and explore here! Definitely worth a stop!

There is a small interpretive bldg. there with hands on artifacts available and live creatures too. There were lots of families enjoying the place and a fishing pond is available with lots of turtles in it too. There is a map for the trails and they take one around the area that has explanatory cards about what u see. Place is peaceful and accessible. The center could use a good cleaning so hope volunteers step up to spruce up the place.

Our family frequently visits Quarry Hill for a great outdoor experience. The Nature Center has exhibits that the kids enjoy and they love feeding the big fish and bird watching. They have many activities you can get the whole family involved in, such as bird banding and the butterfly garden. We love exploring at Quarry Hill and sitting by the pond to watch the ducks. Great place for all!!

Nature center is a really nice place to spend time with kids. You can watch the birds, check how bees are working inside the hive, pet a snake and just enjoy looking at the swimming fishes in the aquarium. The place is also having a little library. 📚 🌱

With not much around in ROchester this was definitely a fun place to visit as a family. The little place has reptile shows, bird watching, fish feeding, hiking, fossil finding, skiing and hiking opportunities. The best was the mine tour that has some interesting history. A must visit in Rochester.

Nice urban park with lots of trails, picnic areas, and a nice little nature center with local animals. My problem was finding the trails. I confused the paved bike path for a hiking trail, missed the minuscule trail sign, and wound up all the way across the park. From there I had to wander in the woods until I found another little trail sign. And that one led me down an ankle-breaker of a steep downhill path covered in loose, jagged chunks of rock. How about some better signage?

We visited every morning for a walk on the trails. Trails are paved. They do have more rugged trails available as well but the paved trails are great. Lots of shade to walk in the summer heat. Not near as crowded as Silver Lake and twice as pretty.

We LOVE Quarry Hill! There are great hiking trails including different types of landscapes from meadow to rocks to the quarry. Hike up to the quarry to look for fossils. Hike around the meadows for butterflies, plants, and other critters. Explore the pond for fish and other living things. (Winter is great for skiing or snow shoeing too.) The newly renovated nature center is a fun place to see animals and learn while playing... what a fantastic remodel! The summer kid classes where parents stay too are great! We only wish they had these classes for 5 year olds as we are not interested in day camps yet.

Nice park and display of lots of snakes and fish. Lots of bird feeders attracting many species. Nice walking paths and small lake. Great for kids

We love Quarry Hill and go hang out there weekends and for any of their fun events. we are so lucky to have such an amazing place close by!

This is a great area if your looking for something free to do outside. Lots of hiking trails and buildings to have a picnic. Play area for children. It is a park in the middle of town and very easy to get to. it is kept clean and mowed.

I love Quarry Hills Nature Center. There are so many activities offered to all ages. If traveling to Quarry Hill for just a day trip, the Nature Center has hands-on, informative, kid-friendly activities to keep little hands busy. Enjoy the easy, paved walking trail that quickly immerses you into the tranquility of nature and all it's beauty.

Very important part of history for the Rochester Mn. area. Very nice park.
Enjoyed the walkways and the up hill is not for someone with handicap. Very Nice

We frequently come to Quarry Hill to take a stroll outdoors and visit the Nature Center's exhibits. They have so many great educational programs for all ages at reasonable prices. This is truly one of Rochester's gems!

Great walking trail and nature center for the kids. Fun activities going on year round. Make sure to check the calendar!

The outdoor walking paths were very well done and cared for. The pond had a floating bridge for the kids to walk on and see into the water and the indoor area was amazing with the animals to see and touch. Great place and a great way to spend an afternoon!

I remember going to summer camp when I was young so when my children turned of age to go to summer camp at Quarry hill I signed them up. It is such a fabulous place for little children through adult. The indoor nature center is a wonderful place to experience and explore. They have a wonderful network of paved and I paved hiking trails. Quarry hill also rents skis and snowshoes in the winter to explore their trails including children's sizes. Wonderful friendly environment for everyone.

this "in-town" nature center is great for kids and families. There is a large pond to watch the fish and a bridge across the lake to get out in the middle and observe the natural surroundings.

The Nature center was remodeled recently and is much nicer for kids to explore and get up and close to the fossils. skeletons, furs, and more of the creatures. A live bee honeycomb is included in the window and binoculars to do some bird-watching from the indoor porch.

There is no cost but donations are welcome.

This is a great place to take the family. The nature center is small but great for a fun, free family activity. They have a large fish tank, a bee hive and several other small animals. Don't forget to check out the pond and go for a hike when visiting.

Fresh air. A lake. Trails. Shaded picnic areas. Benches. Lovely nature center. A beautiful place to unwind and relax after a long day at Mayo Clinic. Just lovely.

We traveled to Rochester for the Mayo Clinic. We needed some fresh air. We chose the Quarry Hill nature center. I'm glad we did. We will definitely go back in the following days. Very clean and a safe area.

Great experience for both old and young. Go here when you want to explore nature and learn more about the creatures that share our world.

My daughter and I enjoyed our little hike through the quarry. Seeing the cool tunnels and 'caves' was intriguing.

A beautiful park for hiking and cross country skiing; and a great nature center with a wide variety of native MN birds and animals mounted on display.

Great place to get information on nature. Also has classes you can take and has great hiking trails from it

Quarry Hill is a beautiful place to explore. The hiking trails are well kept and peaceful. The pond is a fun spot to walk around to watch for minnows and ducks. Inside the building is a super place to look around and learn. All ages of our large family (10 ranging 1yr- 40!) enjoy QHNC!

Quarry hill is a great family place. Great hiking trails... The trails are really varied... Some are flat and others have good climbs thru beautiful trees. Nature center has wonderful exhibits. The dinosaur special exhibit is great. The center also has many special events for school children! The staff at the nature center are friendly and very helpful.

I love to go here for the beauty and peace. This is a great place to bike, walk, and enjoy nature. I also love to take visitors here for a wonderful walk or hike.

There is a nature center that is free, but you can give a good will donation, if you would like. They have updated the nature center, so if you haven't been there for a while you should visit it. There's an owl, bees, snakes, fish,hands on activities, books, and more.

My 15 year old son and I were in town for a few days and wanted to see all we could today.. We were both very glad we drove the short distance from our hotel here. Enjoying the T-Rex Stan , all the other fish and wildlife tanks, and what an awesome place to walk... Many families and individuals enjoying themselves outdoors... Relaxing around the trees, water, and grounds... It must be gorgeous in the spring and summer! We recommend this place!

Absolutely fantastic place for kids and family in Rochester!!!! Nature, walks, hands on learning for kids things to do and see.. Truly great day

The Nature Center is the perfect place for families and children. It is picture perfect for nature in its location and exhibits. Gotta love the paved trails since it provides for a great walk even when the ground is snow, wet, or walking in slightly inclement weather. Staff is personable and knowledgeable.

Stopped by to see the new nature center. Excellent updated exhibits, with new library/play area for the kids.

the nature is center is great and full of information. love the bees. The trails are great in the summer and love the cross country skiing in the winter.

It took us three years of living in Rochester to go to Quarry Hill, which is just sad, because it is one of the best paces in town! Now that we've discovered it, we go two or three times a week all year round.

In addition to the hiking trails, there is a nice little interpretive center with resident fish, snakes and birds. During the winter the center rents out x-country ski and snow-shoeing equipment for very reasonable rates. They have some dedicated ski trails for "real" skiers and other trails were you can ski or walk or snowshoe for those just wanting to get out in the woods.

This has become our happy place, a quick, restorative getaway right here in town.

Wonderful stroll. Lots to see and experience. Family friendly, convenient hours,informative and educational.

This nature center has it all. There is an active bee exhibit so you can watch the bees coming and going. Try to find the Queen bee among the workers. There is a shaded trail in the forest, where we saw wild turkey with chicks. The trail through the quarry was interesting. In the nature center there are good specimens of stuffed animals

The indoor exhibit had lots more animals than I expected. We also enjoyed the trails and view of downtown Rochester. We didn't have a car and were staying near St Mary's. It was no problem to take a bus (#2) to a path that led to the nature center. It was well worth the trip.

The Nature Center has recently been refurbished and is now an even better place to give the family a view of nature. If you are into nature, we highly recommend a visit.

We’ve been to the Quarry Hill Nature Center many times over the years we have lived in Rochester. Both with and without children and grandchildren.

The place is interesting either way. And close to town.

For the kids there is a big fish tank with local fish species, including the relatively rare gar. Kids can buy food and feed them. Also many touchable exhibits for the kids to feel, pick up and learn about fur, bones, etc. Our grandkids usually have enough to do and see that they always want to go there when they visit us.

They once had a bird banding and release, where they let the children hold, go outside, and release the bird from their hands. They are always having the docents doing some kind of educational program. Well worth checking what’s going on.

And they have hiking trails if you want to go outside. I believe they have X-country ski trails as well.

Also, there is a gift center and a Quiet Room to sit in and read or just “catch your breath.”

We had a great short walk with the family. We entered via the west entrance and did not see the center. The first part is paved, then gravel, then cleared paths. Liked the green of the forest! Saw dragonflies and a black butterfly

Even though it was damp and cloudy, Quarry Hill Nature Center still offers plenty to do. Too my young great nieces through the center, where we visited with the director. Then took a quick walk around the pond. Wonderful center with many hiking trails and family activities.

The Hill part of Quarry Hill is a fun hike that's easy to turn into some light trail running. There is also a well developed bike path that runs through the center of the area (around the hill).

I spent quite a few days walking the park.The Nature Center is peaceful and serene and after a long day at clinic it was needed.It actually sits behind the place we stayed..Very convienent. ..Try it, it's good for the soul!

I believe there is a lot of other activities to do here and events that I know nothing about. All I can tell you is when I come to Rochester for medical stuff I love to go up there and explore and walk some of the long trails that go to different types of lands and scenery all in one area. It only takes a few minutes to get to from downtown Rochester (east) which is also very nice. Never seems to be too busy regardless if it's summer or winter but again I'm sure there's a lot I don't know about this area still. I just definitely recommend going. :-)

Been a while since we have been, but when our sons were younger we had been quite a few times. Neat things to see and do inside, a lot to experience and do outside.

Quarry Hill exceeded expectations in providing an informative, enjoyable experience while keeping the entire family entertained.

This is a historical nature center with many trails to hike and events to choose from. Quarry Hill has closely worked with the Rochester School District and has developed many educational activities and programs for students and educators, as well as the general public.
Its beautiful grounds enclosed in more than 300 acres have trails of different difficulty levels to use. In early spring many birdwatcher fans come here to observe migrant birds that are beginning to come in as they travel to the northern part of the state. In the winter it offers trails to cross country ski within the city.
If you have the time and love nature, this is a place that you will enjoy. Bring your hiking shoes!!

Stopped in for a hike, and actually enjoyed walking through the nature center. The spring like weather with snow covered trails allowed us to hike on several of the trails. Families and individuals were snow shoeing, cross country skiing and hiking.I bet this would be awesome place to visit in the summer.

We live near a trail that goes to quarry hill so my daughter who is 6 and I go here to hike, bike,look at the ducks ,turtles, and fish...The best free entertainment

Every time I've been to Quarry Hill it isn't overcrowded, even when the parking lot seems full. It's pet friendly (on a leash), there's a great little pond with turtles and ducks. The trails are good, and there's more than one option for routes. It's a nice little place to take a break from the city.

They have kept this little nature center going for years by improving it and expanding and providing classes, activities and education to the community. It's not big like a zoo. If you are going just to see a few turtles, fish, birds and bee hives you will not be disappointed. It is worth the visit inside but the outside is what is great. Trails, paved or not, a climbing wall (rugged), a decent pond and a few docks to walk or fish on. You can get out of it what you want. You can sit and relax or hike/walk, nature adventure. Any classes are terrific and the birthday parties are great too.

Every single time I bring my kids here, they find something new to explore. Beautiful for hiking, for sitting and taking it all in, for photography ... and great views of Rochester if you hike the correct path.

Fascinating animal displays. Great walking trails. Perfect for a family outing. Try all 4 seasons. Always a new experience.

Something to do in the Rochester area. Inside there is some hands on activities for kids. Fish tanks, birds, turtles, snakes, and taxidermy animals. There is also a dinosaur skeleton. They offer kids camps and activities. Outside is a pond, cave, walking trails, and much more.

They have a bleeping replica Tyrannosaurus rex skull!!!!! These guys are hard-core nature experts, very friendly, something for every interest.

A nice place to kill time between Mayo appointments. My hiking days are over but the wildlife center is nice and we enjoyed watching and identifying the birds.

This community nature center is as good as nature centers get. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. The exhibits are perfect and not overdone. The focus is on nature in a simple, perfect way that makes me wonder how venues like ChuckECheese could ever exist in Rochester with such a perfect free place for kids to explore the natural world!

Been coming here for 30+ years and it's great. Kids and I are anxiously awaiting tadpole time! Love hiking the trails!!!

This is a great place for kids but also we found it fascinating! Our grand kids attend camp during the summer and talk about it for days afterwards. Worth checking out :-)

The nature center itself is so well done, with tons of animals to see. The hike to find fossils was easy enough for our 2.5 year old and the center staff had great tips. We actually found a few to bring home! A lovely morning. Highly recommend.

I have been visiting Quarry Hill Nature Center for my entire life. It is a true gem in Rochester. The nature center includes many native MN species, classroom and meeting space. The staff is knowledgeable and kind and strive to educate anyone who walks through the door. There are a variety of unique ecosystems located in the park including; the lake, the quarry filled with fossils, an oak savannah, butterfly garden, picnic areas, paved trails and snowshoe and cc ski trails in the winter. QHNC is a beautiful, peaceful place to visit.

If your recovery program from Mayo incudes walking, Quarry Hill is an ideal place to do it. Most trails are level with some elevation if desired and the scenery is enjoyable in this nearby getaway from Rochester.

This is the first time we have been to the Nature Center since they have updated it. They did a wonderful job and the grand children enjoyed it very much. It is not real big so it does not take a long time go through the Nature Center which can be a good thing for the younger ones. After visiting the Nature Center you can walk around a pond or on the various hiking trails as well. It is also free (donations accepted). One of the better spots in Rochester for a little family time.

Quarry hill is a nice park with a lot of paved and unpaved walking trails. There is a little lake, some cool rock formations to walk around on, and a few old building remains with historic markers next to them. There is also the nature center building itself which has fish, lots of turtles, snakes, and other reptiles. The nature center is free but they suggest donations. They offer different activities for adults and children throughout the year so check out their website to see the calendar of events.

This was a great place to get away from the hospital while in Rochester. Very peaceful and tranquil setting.

Located a couple miles outside of downtown, the Quarry Hill Nature Center is great for visitors of all ages. The nature center itself has reasonable operating hours, and has displays on many different types of local wildlife. Fish, turtles, birds, insects, you name it. Best of all, a lot of its offerings are free to enjoy. The pond and trails were enjoyable during the late summer when I went, and I'm sure they'd be great year-round. I didn't get to go on a cave tour, but I plan to the next time I go back to Rochester.

Oh, and for some reason they had free bananas available in one of the larger rooms of the nature center. I have no idea how often they do things like that, but these made for a good afternoon snack to tide me over before I got back to my hotel.

Now if only there were public transit to the nature center. Or at least on the weekends, or that Google would tell me about. The route from downtown to the nature center isn't particularly walkable despite only being two miles, so I wound up shelling out $16 round trip for Uber.

No matter the season, a visit to Quarry Hill is well worth the time. Family or solo, it's a great place to connect with nature. I/we particularly enjoy walking the trails and soaking in the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

Great nature center! Knowledgeable amazing staff, fine well cared for collection of reptiles, helpful information about birds and other animals. The park has wonderful walking trails, the fall colors were coming in when we were there. Some exhibits geared for children, looked great for families. We didn’t have enough time to explore the quarry and fossils, and that looked interesting. I would definitely go back!

Enjoy the hikes & the new trails. Beautiful & worth going everyday. The natural beauty surrounding areas and the historical story behind the state hospital. Great piece of land to spend time, alone, as a student, or with a group. Check out the views.

Even though I've been to Rochester, MN several times I had never stumbled across this place until now.
It's a nice little nature park with lots of trails and stories the different places. If you're looking to get away from all the concrete and breathe a little fresh air - this is the place.
If you're looking for a great hiking adventure - this is not the place. I've been to many nature parks in MN to spend some hours hiking. Most of them have been quite disappointing due to their small size and easiness. I guess one needs to go to the great places like Yosemite, Yellowstone or others alike to get that. But for Rochester I liked it. Just about enough to kill a little time.
If you have kids the place it great I think. Lots of easy trails with stories written on boards.

Quarry Hill is the perfect spot to enjoy nature right in the city of Rochester. Nature trails can be enjoyed year round. Cross-country ski the trails in the winter for exhilarating exercise. Hike the trails up into the Quarry and find fossils. Take in a nature class and learn more about the environment, animal habitats, or the nature center itself. Come to the Fall Festival and enjoy a family outing. Even bring a fishing pole along and try to catch some fish in the pond.

I loved this place! Saw the visitor center on the first visit then went back for some hiking. It's really quite large, and I got pretty turned around and lost and had to keep asking people which way to the parking lot. Lovely mix of forest, meadows, large ponds, historical buildings, hills, etc. In an hour I maybe covered half of it.

The visitor center is old and tired, but really cool. A lot of live animals (fish, reptiles) and bones, skins, and taxodermy specimens of other animals. My favorite was the living bee hive in the wall. You can get as close as you want without fear and watch the bees feed their larvae, build their hive, and do their "waggle dance" to tell the others where they found food. They can come and go to the outside through plastic tubes. And it's free, with requested donation. My husband and I loved it.

I found the area informative and well organized. A lot to see and do in good weather. The indoor exhibit (dinosaurs) was hands-on and really worth it for any age.

what a great place to get outdoors and learn of all things nature. our boys love it. I even walked away learning more than I thought. great educational programs and camp options, too!

took some friends here during a visit of rochester. this nature center has a great outdoor setting next to a pond, bringing in the local waterfowl, as well as turtles and frogs.
the trails were both paved and dirt. the dirt trails go to a cemetery/memorial park of the former state hospital and atop a bluff that offers great views from the eastside of rochester.
the nature center facilities and displays are dated and appear to need an overhaul in the future. some of the mounts are dusty and loosing their authentic appearance - old and dirty. wood paneling walls are old and wearing.
this place relies on donations, but maybe they should consider an entrance fee to clean, expand or remodel. the outside parking and paths are all new, hopefully they will have plans for the building.
a great place for families with kids <12 years old to see nature and walk around outside.

What a splendid place to visit!!! So much to see and do!! The employees are so friendly, educated & not afraid to give a person knowledge!! The diversity, is well abundant, and the Tree if Life, is defiantly, around!!

Good spot to go to whether it's with the young ones or friends or couples. Easy trails to follow and if you follow the right trail a beautiful over look of the city.

This is a great place to take a hike solo or with kids, there are paved paths and footpaths. There is an inside learning area also

This is where all the kids go on field trips and it's a very cool place. If you're into science and nature, you'll love it!

This is a very nice park and nature center. Much to do and see for the entire family. Check their website for special events.

This is a spectacular park. Numerous trails to follow, some paved. Weather was perfect for our short hikes. Great wild life education facility..

I hiked in Quarry Hill Park on an icy January day. Despite the weather, I enjoyed the trails and visiting the historic quarry sites that were marked with informative signs. The views of downtown Rochester from the top of Quarry Hill are very nice. The nature center itself would be a good place to take young children for the exhibits and aquariums with fish, snakes and turtles. Be sure to pick up a map of the trail network at the nature center before you go hiking. And be sure to plan your hike so you can get out of the park before it turns dark. I reached the park via the bike trail that connects to Zumbro River Trail and downtown.

Quarry Hill is my favorite place in Rochester! There are so many beautiful wooded trails to stroll through or take your dogs out on for some exercise, and in the winter you have the option of cross country skiing and snowshoeing. There's a small pond and a butterfly garden, as well as a nature center that offers several family friendly classes and events. There are also cave tours on Sundays. I highly recommend this place if you just want a gorgeous setting to stretch your legs or find some peace and quiet.

This park and nature center is a MUST see. Love the time spent in the park. It is pet friendly and a great place ot just get away.

We hiked to the quarry and around the pond. The nature center just opened for the day and kids were feeding the fish minnows. Neat to see the walleye and bass eating minnows. Great spot for a hike.

Great walking paths and a good hike to the top of bluff for a nice view of the city.. it's a good spot for hiking especially if a little out of shape but want to improve!

We visited the nature center to walk on the trails and get some exercise. Trails were not strenuous and the nature center was very interesting.

This place would be a great place to bring kids. they have animals and it is a very pretty place. The trails here are a great place to run and they never get boring.

I love to cross country ski at Quarry Hill. Very peaceful environment. Great, well marked trails for skiing and snow shoeing in the winter and hiking and biking in the summer.

I use to cross county ski at the center. It is so pretty and very friendly staff. You can t beat it here!

There are some historical sites within the Center's acreage. Very pleasant shady and sunny trails, your choice. I have come here to combine hiking and photography and it is never really too crowded. Check out the visitor center as well to learn more about wildlife and the nature of the area.

Nice trails, basic nature center, good place for families with good programming. Sitting on outskirts of Rochester it is easy to get to- even by bike.

So we came here for about an hour. This attraction is free and well worth the 15 minute drive from our hotel. The only reason we didn’t stay longer was because we had an appointment to get to and it also started raining. There is a nice pond area with a bridge and the inside has some animals. We would recommend stopping here!

Good trip. We arrived at approximately 2:45 pm and made our way towards the entrance of the nature center. The nature center was on the smaller side, and geared mostly towards children. There were several informational plaques scattered throughout the nature center, that contained interesting facts about various types of animals. There was also a bird watching station, an aquarium, a bee station, and several touch stations. Outside the nature center were several paved walking paths.

Tip: I recommend spending an hour here (more if you want to walk on some of the trails)

Nature center was brief but excellent! Trails were peaceful and beautiful. We visited midsummer so prairie flowers were in bloom and saw some monarchs as well.

The indoor nature center was very interactive, kept our 5 and 2 year olds running from one exhibit to another. We also enjoyed the walking trails and ponds. And it was free!! Beautiful facility.

Great for peace and quiet, hiking, dog walking and exploring nature. The kids love it. The Fall Festival is always a great time.

very family friendly has lot of animals full of fun thare are trails and in the fall theare is the fall festavel

I took my kids here when they were small, and now my granddaughter. We have seen numerous displays such Dinosaur Rex. There are opportunities galore here, for all seasons. There is snow-showing, bird watching, a room filled with various animals, most of the taxidermy variety. But there is a huge fish tank, and the young ones can feed the Minnesota fish minnows. There are snakes and spiders, for real! The ground are lovely and there are many trails to travel. You could look for fossils. Staff is beyond helpful and inviting. They have day, evening, and weekend activities. Don't forget to catch the Cave tour!

A great place to learn, hike or just go and relax. Many nature based activities and very well kept natural resources.

What an absolutely amazing place. We attended a bird banding class. We went to a festival. We walked the trails. We rock climbed. We explored a cave. We paddled in a canoe. We came multiple times during our month in Rochester. If we lived here, we’d come all the time. This place is fun, interesting, and educational for all ages.

Pretty cool to be #hiking and stumble across historic sites. Learn about rochester and even visit an old cemetery!

We have really enjoyed Quarry Hill in our short time in Rochester. We have done a few hikes. I am looking forward to it being a place we enjoy a lot over the years. My kids did a week of summer camp there. It is short, only 2.5 hours a session but the kids had a BLAST. Really, best time learning so much and exploring. The counselors are the best...really, top notch.

The one thing I wish is more trails were accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Maybe in time.

I came here with my two year old son last year, and he had a great time hiking and watching the fish in the big tanks!

This is a great spot to bring young kids for some nature exploration! They have a lovely "touch and explore" building, and some good, easy trails for little legs to hike! Mom had a good time too :)

Interesting and enjoyable place to take grandkids. Birds and chipmunks were in the feeders. Lots of photo opportunities. Nice walk around the pond.

We went here to dig fossils. Let's start with their isn't a lot of info to help you do this. The website offers some good info to start. Here is some more....
1. Park near the nature center. It is not a long walk at all. It is a little up hill, but not much. Having the bathroom at the end of your dig time makes it worth it though I do believe you can park on the "back" side of the park.
2. You need a hammer....but you really need your eyes. We found our best treasures lying on the ground. So while we chipped away at the wall for some time, we found fossils just sitting out and then we had to hammer them to get the stones around them broken enough to take home the piece we wanted.
3. This is not super isolated. There were people walking through and by on the trails all day.
4. There is little shade. Be prepared to be in the sun and take some water and a hat.
5. Take a little bucket with you to carry your finds. You can take out whatever you want as long as none of the specimens are bigger than your hand. You aren't going to find those so no worries anyway! But that's fine because you'll find lots of cool stuff - shells, trilobites, and other things.
6. Prepare to spend a half day if you like this kind of stuff.
7. We found many more things when we turned left off the entry path than going to the right and climbing down.

This is a nice little place. The nature center is cute, too.

Always a fun time. very interesting displays and many scheduled activities. Winter or summer, it is a beautiful place to spend a day.

We have been to Quarry Hill many times over the last few years and we keep going back. They have an indoor learning center with awesome tanks, terrariums and cages. There's also a fun bee hive to check out and watch as the bees work through the see through tunnels. The trails are fun to hike and explore. There are many paths, so you could be exploring for years, like ourselves. There are several places to picnic as well. Make sure you are ack a lunch and your walking, or running, shoes and take some time away from the hustle and bustle to enjoy all that Quarry Hill Nature Center offers. We haven't tried the camps that they offer, yet, but we have been to several family events and small classes. We enjoyed all of them and have yet to have a complaint.

I have been there a few times when visiting Rochester. Their animals are in attractive pens, clean, and we'll kept. Their walking paths are nice and very pretty in the fall. The color of the leaves in the fall was beautiful! We really enjoyed seeing this! I have also been there in January and we rented snow shoes at the park and learned how to walk in them. It was a fun family experience. I will go back to this park.

Great place for any age. Complete nature center with live snakes, frog, owls, etc. Nice displays and programs for all ages. During winter you can cross country ski or snowshoe. I have my own skis and come frequently to use the FREE and beautifully groomed trails. I can’t believe it’s free. In the summer you can ride bikes. This is a sight of and old quarry. There are caves to explore too. Tours are also available. Check out the website. Don’t miss this gem!

Great little nature center tucked away. A whole bunch of fish and stuffed animals and information about the flora and fauna in the area. A viewing area for birds, a beehive you can watch through plexiglass, and you can buy minnows to feed the fish in the aquarium. Worth a stop and if you have kids they will enjoy it.

This is a well utilized nature center and park. The nature center has some fun displays and we got to touch a milk snake!

Some trails are easy and some are challenging. There are many benches along the trails for people who need a break or want to sit and take in the surroundings ding nature.

There is a pond for fishing and playground equipment.

Great for a family day out. The trails are easy to walk and are well marked. The activities were fun and educational. My 13 year old son loved the nature center. It is really well done. This is a great place to leave your stress and chill. The nature center and some trails are wheelchair accessible.

An unexpected pleasure hiking the hills and valleys of this city park. Once on the trails you forget that you are in a city. The sandstone quarry is a sight to behold as well as the history of the area. Highly suggest a trip to the park on your visit to Rochester.

Quarry hill nature center is an amazing get away right in town. Beautiful hiking trails, amazing views, wildlife, and history all in one place. Trails vary from easy and paved to some pretty good climbs. The nature center has great educational exhibits and native species of fish and birds. You can also find many peaceful quiet spots to simply reflect and recharge. A wonderful space for all to enjoy.

nice facility. lots of attractions squeezed into a minimal amount of space. nice trails that don't require lots of exertion.

Gorgeous trails… many flowers and butterflies! It’s a bit crowded in areas, but that is to be expected with the proximIty to the city.

I like to hike, almost weekly, through the varied terrain of Querry Hill Nature Center and especially enjoy watching birds there. The nature center is large with hiking and cross country ski trails through a meadow, thick woods, and an abandoned quarry. It features a small creek and a pond. The nature center building has a nice exhibit of live animals as well as stuffed specimens.

Quarry Hill is a nice place for people of all ages.

I love Quarry Hill for hiking in the summer. There are unpaved and paved trails. There are some unpaved trails that are a pretty steep climb for those that love that! In the winter they offer cross country ski and snowshoe rentals to see the park in a different way.

Quarry Hill Nature Center is small but fun. Interactive exhibits like fish feeding and bird watching can entertain kids 0-12. It has a small reading room with books for kids and adults. Easy two hours of free entertainment indoors. They have anumber of programs for kids and adults throughout the year for a small fee. Paved bike trails and wooded hiking trails and groomed cross-country skiing in the winter. Beautiful place year round!

I find this a great place to walk and find some peace. It has so many different landscapes that I find relaxing.

Abosutly love going to this place. It's great to hike and see nature. Bring a picket basket yogi cause there's plenty of places to sit back with your other or the family and enjoy a nice meal with nature. Plenty of hiking paths and bike paths to use, indoor nature building has some fish and snakes with a few others on display. I recommend trying it out it's free and a great place to relax and enjoy nature.

We liked seeing all the animals and displays inside the nature center. Of note, they have an aquarium that kids can walk/crawl underneath. We also liked seeing the massive collection of active bees and the live birds. They even have a fort-like reading area. If we had had more time, we would have considered doing some of the trails, but the inside has quite a lot of stuff to entertain, and it's free too!

The local treasure of Rochester, MN is Quarry Hill Park. This park is a true gem providing unique opportunities to appreciate and learn about nature in a setting close to home. We all feel that this park should be preserved and protected for future generations to experience and enjoy as much as we have throughout our lives.

It is hard to believe that this is a city park, as it has many of the same amenities as many of our state parks. It has several miles of biking and hiking trails, also stations on the bike paths in the park where you can air up your bike tires if needed. There is a nature center near the park entrance that has many different kinds of animals (mainly fish, turtles, birds, reptiles, etc. and an impressive beehive that you can look into behind a glass barrier. It is also a historical site as it was the former site of a state hospital and quarry. Some of the trails will take you through the leftovers of that era, including a walk by/through the large hospital cemetery. There are several great trails to choose from, and I prefer the Savanna trail, which goes uphill and has a nice lookout over the city of Rochester. I also usually see several deer in the park, especially off of that Savanna trail. It is great that this park exists and is free to anyone who will go to enjoy it. The only downside is this park is very popular, and at times there is no room left in the parking lot for my car and I've had to turn away.

We had a great time, and it was just minutes away from the Mayo, and from city center, yet we felt like had a good chance to get away and enjoy time together. The hikes were just the right length for small children.

My husband and I like to take our grandson to Quarry Hill Nature Center. There is a lot to do at the park--hiking, canoeing, checking out the nature center, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, etc. The three of us enjoy hiking on the trails and exploring the nature center. Quarry Hill also has some special events we've attended--dinosaur bones exhibits and the yearly fall festival. Both are must dos! My grandson even celebrated one of his birthdays at Quarry hill on a beautiful fall day. If you haven't been to Quarry Hill, be sure to stop by-- you won't be disappointed and you'll be pleased at how much there is to do.

My sister, teenage daughter, and I stopped there when my daughter and I were visiting my sister in Minnesota. Such a peaceful and beautiful place! We were only able to spend about an hour there but I could have spent the whole day exploring. I highly recommend checking this place out!

Had so much fun today at Wuarry Hill Nature center. Kids loved it. Nice trails with information in your surroundings. Wildlife was great! Totally recommend going gor a visit with grandkids.

Very nice and helpful people there. Many great exhibits and walking trails with ponds for young people to practice fishing. Saw a young fellow catch several small bluegills.

Great place to walk. Trails seem to get better each year. Some are paved some trails you can get muddy. You can also rent cross country skis and snow shoes at the main office. Many local animals/fish on display in the small zoo like building. Great for kids. No cost.

I love visiting this nature center - either alone or with kids. There are interesting classes, fun activities, a magnificent area to hike, and in the winter, rental of snowshoes and cross country skis.

My son went to summer camp here and loved it!!! He’s 4.5yrs old and had the best time-he didn’t want to come home! We also had his birthday party there last year and their birthday party options are great! My son was able to pick out an animal to learn about and all the kids were able to pet the animal, too! Great place to walk around and enjoy nature

We live downtown and have access to the many bike trails Rochester has to offer. It was a nice sunny day, so we hopped on our bikes and road to Quarry Hill for hours of fun hiking and walking the trails. We had a peaceful and refreshing day. Also, it was great to see all the young families enjoying everything Quarry Hill has to offer.

A lot of interesting things to do. Indoor and outdoors. A variety of teaching classes and especially birds and many, many other interesting things about nature and animals. My grand children love this place !

We had been here towards the end of April with our grown children and their dog and enjoyed it very much.

So when we were called upon to spend the day looking after their Golden Retriever, we felt we should go back again now that the weather and foliage were both nicer. We were not disappointed.

We spent a lovely afternoon hiking and enjoying the well maintained trails. There were many schoolchildren here as well as small children attending day camp.

Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a quiet scenic place to walk or hike.

Quarry Hill has something to offer everyone year-round. It's a great place for kids, lots of programs and fresh air. It's also a great place for hiking, climbing, and winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. History buffs will like to visit, too, because of the unique caves that were once part of the state hospital and the cemetery.

Quiet, beautiful place to walk or hike with paved and natural trails. We were in Rochester Minnesota for an appointment at the Mayo Clinic and wanted to get sway from the hustle and needles for awhile so took a really nice walk here. I recommend it highly for hikers or walkers. There are some really neat things to see while hiking the trails.

Could easily spend all day taking photos.. A small river runs through the trees, hills the old quarry. Lors to see...

Lots to see and learn and plenty of wild park space to burn off energy. Free too. Can't beat it for a day out.

This is a great place to hike,lots of educational thing s to check out also.good parking,caves. I would d rate this as easy.

We were in town last Sunday looking to do something and this caught our eye. Google maps took us to the back lot on this wet day, so we just followed the paved path for a walk and were so surprised to find that it led to this very active nature center. The woman at the front desk was great with info on the park and its history and where to walk on the way back. We also came back during the week for a longer walk on a sunny day where we could get on one of the green trails. (I can just imagine how great it would be to visit them during cross-country ski season, too.) A great find!

As a parent of three kids, 15, 14, and 8 it can be hard to make them all happy. This was definitely a win. We loved discovering the countless trails, and found some hidden gems. if you go after 4:30 you might not find a bathroom. Make sure to check out the side paths for some amazing spots.

Great place to hike some trails and learn about nature! They only ask for a donation and yet offer a nature center filled with cool insects, reptiles, fish and lots of things to touch!

Beautiful park. Nice bird watching area, groomed trails and flower gardens and butterfly area. Needs to be upkept a little better. However, it's a free park which offers quite a bit.

Quarry Hill is connected to the miles of trails throughout Rochester. You can connect from Downtown Rochester all the way out to Quarry Hill.
When you're there, make sure to hike off onto some of the man-made trails. The historic cemetery is a must see as well!

It was windy and cold the day we were there so this review only covers the indoor stuff. Mainly they have taxidermy, live snakes, fish, turtles, and bugs. And a honey bee clear hive. And a live bird observation area with binoculars and plates and taxidermy to name the birds. And because it was Earth Day they had teachers to show and tell a live snake and a snapping turtle. Also because it was Earth Day the local TV stations were there and we were seen on the evening news.

Fun little place to spend 2 hours or so with the grandkids. They will love feeding minnows to the native fish in the aquarium! Lots of animal artifacts they can touch. Wouldn't go too far out of my way to get here though.

Beautiful park to hike! Awesome trails, little muddy this time of year, but expected. Will definitely go back to tour the caves some time soon.

Really great, clear trails for hiking, running, even cross country skiing.
Nature center is surprisingly great -- there was a dinosaur exhibit when I went!!
Pet friendly.

Fun place to take the kids. Inside they can see birds, snakes, bees, etc. Outside they can go fishing or go for a walk around the water or through the wooded area.

I've only been here once. it's a good place to go for a hike. (I took a guess on when as it was a while ago.) We walked a bit & explored the cemetery. (I'm strange that way.) We also took a look at the visitor center. It was fun. I'll have to go again sometime.

It was nice to see the nature and enjoy the serene trails with our family! The ducks were also very nice to see, calm place.Thanks!

My daughters attended this past summer and had such a great time, I wish we had signed them up for more weeks. The loved the workers. They were really good with the kids. My 5 year old loved it.

Even though it is a bit small (but they are building an addition) this place is packed with interesting displays. They have plenty of space outside that includes a small pond, hiking/skiing trails, a prairie, caves and more. Easy to spend an afternoon there with kids.

We took 2 of our grand daughters to spend some time at this park. Kind of wished they had more displays, but the girls enjoyed the ones there. The trails are nice. For free, it is a good place to spend some time with your family.

Beautiful day to be outside. Great clean trails with plenty of spots to clean mud from shoes! We didn't need it but glad they were there! Microscope in center was the highlight for our grands!!! They loved inspecting stuff!

I love this place. Great for families with small children, nice trails, fun educational center with animals we generally overlook or are afraid of. Nice bird watching area.

Take the children, and yourself for a walk through Quarry Hill.....trails....lessons on wild life....activities.....snow events......sking through the woods with lanterns on New Years Eve......

Really enjoyed visiting this site. Lots of interesting landmarks. My only complaint was the lack of clear trail markings made it very difficult to know if we were going to right direction.

Location could be better, but hiking trails are very nice! AMAZING place to take a dog or two dogs! Definitely a GREAT place to get some sun and some great exercise and spend some time outdoors!

I don’t even know how to mention this; don’t even want to mention this, but I will because this is the number 1 family destination in Rochester. I first must laud the place. Hiking, summer programs, exploration, truly a family friendly place. This spring, in February, and then on Tuesday (June 4, 2019) and Lord, I wish I would have said something in February, but I thought it was an isolated incident. But when we came across it again, I had to write about it. AND I will be writing the staff about this. On Tuesday early afternoon before the storm, we hiked up one of the off paths and came across two men. One of them was performing and act on another man. And that is the same thing we saw in February (but different people). Best place in Rochester to do family stuff, but twice now, my wife and I have seen this as we have been on some of the off-paths. I wonder if others have seen this too. There has got to be some kind of up-tick in monitoring. What if a family came across this?

Quarry Hills has a lot to offer. They have cave tours, walking and biking paths, a pond to walk around, bird watch, look for turtles, rent kayaks or canoes or just simply sit and enjoy the quiet. They are currently working on a new building and we're looking forward to enjoying it.
They also have special exhibits a couple times a year and an awesome Fall Festival. Our family has been going for a decade and we always have an excellent time.
The staff has always been very helpful, kind and patient with our family, especially with our seven year old that has autism. He has certain quirks and has issues with keeping his hands to himself. The staff have been nothing but gracious to him. That alone is enough for us to wholly support them but fortunately for everyone else, it's just a great place to be.

The programming here is top notch. My children have attended at least one week of summer camp every year since they were 5 years old. As teens, they are still attending summer camp and still loving the staff and experience.

Quarry Hill nature trails are wonderful and different year round. The snow shoe and cross country trails in the winter months are easy enough for beginners and other trails offer more of a challenge, if that's what you're looking for. Quarry Hill also rents snow shoes and cross country skis. It's a great way to try a new winter sport!

I take my son and our dog hiking on the trails here regularly...they also have a neat little nature center

We love Quarry Hill for the wonderful trails. They are well maintained, and you can travel on spur trails for an extra physical challenge.

We went with our two young grandson's to their summer session. My husband did Birds and I did Crawly Things. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!! All 4 of us had a WONDERFUL DAY and learned so much! Our grandsons were both SO HAPPY we went and spent quality time with them! The Center and the Volunteers who run the sessions are extremely knowledgable, helpful and FUN! I recommend people visit and rejuvenate themselves in it's quiet beauty and immerse themselves in it's knowledge!

This place has so much to do. The cross country skiing is excellent, the hiking is invigorating and there is a surprise around every corner.

Quarry Hill is great fun for all ages. School age kids will love the nature center, which had been updated since the last time I visited and is very nice. They also have great summer programs for school age kids. Older kids and adults will also appreciate their extensive network of hiking trails. Keep an eye out for seasonal programs like their fall festival where they offer tours of the caves.

I've lived here since birth and QH has been a stress relief, nature link from the urban sprawl, and an awesome way to see animals and get a hike in.
Make sure to visit the old quarry NW of the nature center, across from the pond. Only wish is that the pond will hold fish that are catchable some day again!

Lots of nature trails take you through woods and meadows, past a pond with baby ducks, and to an open field that is perfect for lounging or playing lawn games. You can rent the pavilion for much less than the city Park & Rec pavilions. The Nature Center itself has educational displays and a few live animals (snakes, fish, turtles) to capture the attention of young scientists, and the staff are friendly, helpful, and extremely knowledgeable.

The visitor center is interesting but could use some updating. But the park is meant to be enjoyed out of doors. Well maintained trail system for hikers and bicycles. Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the afternoon.

Fabulous trails in this large natural park. Black top trails are easy for children and families to navigate. Single track trails offer more elevation gain and technical challenge for runners and hikers. Very peaceful and quiet. Lots of animals, birds, etc. Nature Center was closed when I visited but the animal habitats outside are very well done.

Cross country skiing and snowshoeing at Quarry Hill is a winter must for my wife and me. Wonderful trails both flat and hilly are available, and they are rarely busy. Also the walking trails up on the ridge are great for snowshoeing, and Quarry Hill has rentals available. The interpretive center with its fish and critter exhibits are great places for kids to see creation and the entire facility is handicapped accessible. Recommended for all ages and abilities.

Great place to spend some time with the family. They have many different activities throughout the year. My son loves the summer camps that they offer. They have great hiking trails. Just a great place to enjoy nature.

Our 3 year old loves to visit. They have great walking trails and a pond. Usually will bring something to feed the ducks. Inside is a great little nature center with taxidermy and fish. Lots for little ones to look at. Typically have activities you can sign up for on weekends or other events. The calendar on their website is usually up to date.

A gorgeous escape with superb education programs. This is where my interest in the outdoors flourished.

I went there as a kid and it brings back such good memories! So much to see, learn and do. I even had a surprise party there, don't know if they still do it, but a fun thing if they do! Alot of hiking trails. Goof for all ages.

This is a fantastic location to go on a walk or just to enjoy the fall colors. It is so beautiful it’s a favorite for family and senior pictures. The nature center offers some amazing educational activities and is friendly and helpful.

Fabulous place for an afternoon walk after a day of appointments. Beautiful natural surroundings with walking trails.

Quarry Hill offers lots of educational classes throughout the year that my kids have enjoyed. They've even partnered with the library to host a stuffed animal sleepover (my kids' favorite!). I've also enjoyed taking a group of 1-3 grade girls hiking around the trails. We saw and heard frogs, ducks, geese, etc.

This is a wonderful park to visit, for children and adults!

Great place to sit and meditate to get in touch with nature.

To observe small critters and winged creatures.

The last time I was there I saw a deer with her fawn.

Pleasant and peacefu

All of the educational programs for children, adolescents and adults are amazing. I especially enjoy the adult educational opportunities presented by educators from colleges and universities in the southern Minnesota area. My understanding of the special environments found in the driftless zone and in the backwaters of the Mississippi River has improved during special lecture and dinner opportunities offered by the Center.

Trails are very well kept, and is a good place to go to anytime of the year. I don't live from this park which also makes it great to spend a lot of time at

They redid the whole building in the last year or two and it has the neatest things for kids to see. They also have some lovely hiking trails which was very pretty in the fall.

I took my kids here while my husband was at the Mayo Clinic. I felt safe here. The nature center was cool and unbelievably free. There were so many trails. I imagine you could spend every weekend here if you lived close. I would’ve loved to have been able to ride bikes. We brought a picnic and walked to one of the playgrounds for the kids to play and we ate there at a picnic table. We saw some birds and squirrels. There were kids at the lake in canoes and some catching tadpoles. I’m really happy we found this place.

I enjoyed walking the trails here that double as cross country trails in the winter. There were plenty of birds to see. The place was very peaceful. The center itself has plenty to keep your attention including the skull of a T-Rex you can touch. There is a place to sit with binoculars to watch bird life. Nice touch!

Very nice nature center and trails are well laid out. Ski trails for winter and lots of different environments.

They have a wide variety of natural elements to enjoy. From bird watching to bee watching to feeding minnows to large fish this place has a lot for kids and adults to enjoy. One of the best features, though, is the guided cave tours. They take you to a man made cavern used 100 years ago for cold food storage for the state hospital which stood there years ago. It is really interesting and unique.

Quarry Hill is not only amazing for nature walks, but the cross country skiing is amazing (you can rent skis and snow shoes) and adventuring through the old quarry with kids is a blast. The nature Center has summer programs for young kids to mid teens that bring out the nature in them.

A rating for Quarry Hill is somewhat difficult as it really depends on whom it is rated for. I think it would be an excellent place for younger school age kids/families, but not as exciting if you are looking for real hiking. There are a lot of trails, but seem like they all go to the same areas. It would be fun as a family hike as there isn't much elevation change and looked pretty safe in general. The nature center itself has some fun reptile exhibits, it does a good job for being small. The old rock wall hike could also be fun for kids. As an adult, I felt like we easily saw what it had to offer within 30 minutes, but if you are short on time it's close and a pretty place.

It's located in an area that is filled with caves that Mayo Clinic use to store there food there for the hospital. It's great for kids to learn about the animals in this area and a place to rent boats to go canoeing. They have tour guides to take you around and tell you about this area.

Quarry Hill park is a great place to get away and enjoy a walk. It is located only minutes from downtown but it feels like you are away from it all. If you are looking for a place to hike the hills and bird watch this is the place to get away and not be far from anything.

Recommend for a relaxing hiking trip in a summer or Nordic skiing or snowshoeing in a winter. Pretty flat trails, very walkable, currently half are trimmed grass and half are well marked asphalt that are open for biking as well. The cave tour is available as well, we didn't take it. The pond with a group of ducks is a very attractive place.

I work for a school that frequently visits Quarry Hill. They offer excellent activities and learning opportunities throughout the year. The grounds are beautiful just to walking around.