Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas


Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas are public lands in the state of Minnesota that have been permanently protected to preserve any one or combination of the following:
The SNA Program is housed within the Division of Ecological and Water Resources at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The primary goal of the program is to ensure that none of Minnesota's natural heritage is lost from any ecological region of the state. The secondary goal is to provide opportunities for compatible scientific research, education, and nature-based recreation. The Program currently oversees 166 SNAs.
SNA NameHours/ClosuresLocaleEcological
Classification
System
Agassiz DunesAll seasons, 24/7FertileRed River Prairie
Antelope ValleyAll seasons, 24/7Wergeland TownshipMinnesota River Prairie
Avon Hills ForestAll seasons, 24/7AvonHardwood Hills
Badoura Jack Pine WoodlandAll seasons, 24/7BadouraPine Moraines & Outwash Plains
Bald Eagle BluffAll seasons, 24/7Lake CityThe Blufflands
Big IslandAll seasons, 24/7OrrBorder Lakes
Black Lake BogAll seasons, 24/7Bruno TownshipMille Lacs Uplands
Blaine Airport Rich FenDue to airport security,
site open by permit only.		BlaineAnoka Sand Plain
Blaine PreserveAll seasons, 24/7Circle PinesAnoka Sand Plain
Blanket Flower PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Pelican RapidsHardwood Hills
Blue Devil ValleyAll seasons, 24/7Granite FallsMinnesota River Prairie
Bluestem PrairieAll seasons, 24/7GlyndonRed River Prairie
Boltuck-Rice Forever WildAll seasons, 24/7CohassetSt. Louis Moraines
Bonanza PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BeardsleyMinnesota River Prairie
Boot LakeAll seasons, 24/7WyomingAnoka Sand Plain
Botany BogAll seasons, 24/7Grand RapidsSt. Louis Moraines
Brownsville BluffSanctuary portion closedHouston CountyThe Blufflands
Bruce Hitman Heron RookeryClosed April 1 through
July 15 to protect rare bird breeding areas.		GlenwoodMinnesota River Prairie
Burntside IslandsAll seasons, 24/7ElyBorder Lakes
Butternut Valley PrairieAll seasons, 24/7MadeliaMinnesota River Prairie
Butterwort CliffsClosed April 1 through
July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.		Grand MaraisNorth Shore Highlands
Caldwell Brook Cedar SwampAll seasons, 24/7NorthomeLittlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Cannon River Trout LilyAll seasons, 24/7FaribaultBig Woods
Cannon River Turtle PreserveClosed May 1 through
October 15 to protect turtle
breeding areas.		Red WingThe Blufflands
Cedar MountainAll seasons, 24/7FranklinMinnesota River Prairie
Cedar RockAll seasons, 24/7Redwood FallsMinnesota River Prairie
Chamberlain WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Le SueurBig Woods
Cherry Grove Blind ValleyAll seasons, 24/7Spring ValleyRochester Plateau
Chimney RockAll seasons, 24/7HastingsRochester Plateau
Chisholm Point IslandAll seasons, 24/7CohassetSt. Louis Moraines
Clear LakeAll seasons, 24/7Clear LakeAnoka Sand Plain
Clinton Falls Dwarf Trout LilyAll seasons, 24/7MedfordOak Savanna
Clinton PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Graceville TownshipMinnesota River Prairie
Cold Spring Heron ColonyAll seasons, 24/7Cold SpringHardwood Hills
Compass PrairieAll seasons, 24/7RushmoreCoteau Moraines
Cottonwood River PrairieAll seasons, 24/7North Star TownshipMinnesota River Prairie
Crystal SpringWashington CountySt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
Des Moines RiverAll seasons, 24/7WindomCoteau Moraines
Eagle's Nest Island No. 4All seasons, 24/7ElyBorder Lakes
East Rat Root River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7KabetogamaLittlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Egret IslandClosed April 1 through
July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.		AshbyMinnesota River Prairie
Englund EcotoneAll seasons, 24/7RiceAnoka Sand Plain
Falls CreekAll seasons, 24/7ScandiaSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
Felton PrairieAll seasons, 24/7FeltonRed River Prairie
Franconia BluffsAll seasons, 24/7ShaferMille Lacs Uplands
Frenchman's BluffAll seasons, 24/7Twin ValleyRed River Prairie
Glynn PrairieAll seasons, 24/7WindomCoteau Moraines
Gneiss OutcropsAll seasons, 24/7Granite FallsMinnesota River Prairie
Greenwater LakeAll seasons, 24/7Detroit LakesPine Moraines & Outwash Plains
Grey Cloud DunesAll seasons, 24/7Cottage GroveSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
Gully FenAll seasons, 24/7GullyAspen Parklands
Gustafson's CampAll seasons, 24/7BaudetteAgassiz Lowlands
Harry W. Cater Homestead PrairieAll seasons, 24/7St. CloudAnoka Sand Plain
HastingsAll seasons, 24/7HastingsThe Blufflands
Hastings Sand CouleeAll seasons, 24/7HastingsOak Savanna
Helen Allison SavannaAll seasons, 24/7East BethelAnoka Sand Plain
Hemlock RavineSanctuary portion closed
to protect rare resources.		EskoNorth Shore Highlands
Hole in the Bog PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7BenaChippewa Plains
Holthe PrairieAll seasons, 24/7JacksonCoteau Moraines
Hovland WoodsAll seasons, 24/7East CookBorder Lakes
Hythecker PrairieAll seasons, 24/7ClaremontOak Savanna
Iona's BeachAll seasons, 24/7Two HarborsNorth Shore Highlands
Iron Horse PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HayfieldOak Savanna
Iron Springs BogAll seasons, 24/7ShelvinChippewa Plains
Itasca Wilderness SanctuaryAll seasons, 24/7Park RapidsPine Moraines & Outwash Plains
Joseph A. Tauer PrairieAll seasons, 24/7New UlmMinnesota River Prairie
Kasota PrairieAll seasons, 24/7KasotaBig Woods
Kawishiwi PinesAll seasons, 24/7ElyBorder Lakes
Kellogg–Weaver DunesAll seasons, 24/7KelloggThe Blufflands
Kettle RiverAll seasons, 24/7HinckleyMille Lacs Uplands
King's and Queen's BluffKing's Bluff is open to the
public. Queen's Bluff is open
by permit only.		WinonaThe Blufflands
La Salle LakeAll seasons, 24/7SolwayChippewa Plains
Ladies Tresses SwampAll seasons, 24/7CookSt. Louis Moraines
Lake Alexander WoodsAll seasons, 24/7CushingPine Moraines & Outwash Plains
Lake Bronson ParklandAll seasons, 24/7HalmaAspen Parklands
Langhei PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BensonMinnesota River Prairie
Lawrence CreekHubbard CountyMille Lacs Uplands
Lester LakeChisago CountyPine Moraines & Outwash Plains
Little Too Much LakeAll seasons, 24/7BigforkChippewa Plains
Lost 40All seasons, 24/7NorthomeChippewa Plains
Lost Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7CookLittlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Lost River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Big FallsAgassiz Lowlands
Lost Valley PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HastingsSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
Lundblad PrairieAll seasons, 24/7SlaytonCoteau Moraines
LutsenAll seasons, 24/7LutsenNorth Shore Highlands
Luxemberg PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7WarroadAgassiz Lowlands
Malmberg PrairieAll seasons, 24/7FisherRed River Prairie
Mary Schmidt Crawford WoodsAll seasons, 24/7BuffaloBig Woods
McGregor MarshAll seasons, 24/7McGregorTamarack Lowlands
Minnesota Point Pine ForestAll seasons, 24/7DuluthNorth Shore Highlands
Mille Lacs MoraineAll seasons, 24/7GarrisonMille Lacs Uplands
Mississippi River IslandsAll seasons, 24/7MonticelloAnoka Sand Plain
Moose MountainAll seasons, 24/7DuluthNorth Shore Highlands
Morton OutcropsAll seasons, 24/7MortonMinnesota River Prairie
Mound PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HoustonThe Blufflands
Mound Spring PrairieAll seasons, 24/7CanbyCoteau Moraines
Mulligan Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7GrygiaAgassiz Lowlands
Myhr Creek RidgeAll seasons, 24/7Grand MaraisNorth Shore Highlands
Myrtle Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7LittleforkLittlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Nett Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7OrrLitttlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Norris Camp PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Forest Area TownshipAgassiz Lowlands
North Black River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Northwest KoochichingAgassiz Lowlands
North Fork Zumbro WoodsAll seasons, 24/7WanamingoRochester Plateau
Oronoco PrairieAll seasons, 24/7OronocoRochester Plateau
Osmundson PrairieFaribault CountyMinnesota River Prairie
Otter Tail PrairieAll seasons, 24/7CampbellRed River Prairie
Partch WoodsAll seasons, 24/7AvonHardwood Hills
Pembina TrailAll seasons, 24/7CrookstonAspen Parklands
Pennington BogOpen by permit only.PenningtonChippewa Plains
Pig's Eye Island Heron RookeryClosed April 1 through
July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.		St. PaulSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
Pin Oak PrairieAll seasons, 24/7ChatfieldThe Blufflands
Pine and Curry IslandClosed April 1 through
July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.		BaudetteAgassiz Lowlands
Pine Bend BluffsAll seasons, 24/7Inver Grove HeightsSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
Pine Creek PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7RoseauAgassiz Lowlands
Potato LakeAll seasons, 24/7EffieLittlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Prairie Bush CloverAll seasons, 24/7LakefieldCoteau Moraines
Prairie CoteauAll seasons, 24/7HollandInner Coteau
Prairie Creek WoodsAll seasons, 24/7NerstrandOak Savanna
Prairie Smoke DunesAll seasons, 24/7FertileRed River Prairie
Purvis Lake–Ober FoundationAll seasons, 24/7ElyBorder Lakes
Quarry ParkAll seasons, 24/7Waite ParkAnoka Sand Plain
Racine PrairieAll seasons, 24/7RacineRochester Plateau
Red Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7WaskishAgassiz Lowlands
Rice Lake SavannaAll seasons, 24/7Clear Lake TownshipAnoka Sand Plain
Richard M. and Mathilde Rice ElliotAll seasons, 24/7BarnesvilleRed River Prairie
Ripley EskerAll seasons, 24/7Fort Ripley TownshipMille Lacs Uplands
River Terrace PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Cannon FallsThe Blufflands
River Warren OutcropsRenville CountyMinnesota River Prairie
Rock Ridge PrairieAll seasons, 24/7ComfreyMinnesota River Prairie
Roscoe PrairieAll seasons, 24/7PaynesvilleMinnesota River Prairie
Rush Lake IslandClosed April 1 through
July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.		StanchfieldMille Lacs Uplands
Rushford Sand BarrensAll seasons, 24/7PetersonThe Blufflands
Sand Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7IsabellaLaurentian Uplands
Sandpiper PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Twin ValleyRed River Prairie
Santee PrairieAll seasons, 24/7MahnomenRed River Prairie
Savage FenAll seasons, 24/7SavageBig Woods
Sedan Brook PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BrootenMinnesota River Prairie
Seminary FenAll seasons, 24/7ChaskaBig Woods
Shooting Star PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Le RoyOak Savanna
South Black River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Big FallsAgassiz Lowlands
Sprague Creek PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7RoseauAgassiz Lowlands
Spring Beauty Northern HardwoodsAll seasons, 24/7East CookNorth Shore Highlands
Spring Creek PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Red WingThe Blufflands
St. Croix SavannaAll seasons, 24/7BayportSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and Moraines
St. Wendel Tamarack BogAll seasons, 24/7St. JosephHardwood Hills
Sugarloaf PointAll seasons, 24/7SchroderNorth Shore Highlands
Swedes ForestAll seasons, 24/7BelviewMinnesota River Prairie
Townsend WoodsAll seasons, 24/7WatervilleBig Woods
Twin LakesAll seasons, 24/7StacyAnoka Sand Plain
Twin Valley PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BorupRed River Prairie
Two Rivers Aspen ParklandAll seasons, 24/7GreenbushAspen Parklands
Uncas DunesAll seasons, 24/7Big LakeAnoka Sand Plain
Verlyn Marth Memorial PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HermanMinnesota River Prairie
Wabu WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Deer River TownshipSt. Louis Moraines
Watrous IslandKoochiching CountyAgassiz Lowlands
Wawina PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7FloodwoodTamarack Lowlands
West Rat Root River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7International FallsLittlefork–Vermilion Uplands
Western PrairieAll seasons, 24/7RothsayRed River Prairie
Whitney IslandAll seasons, 24/7FaribaultBig Woods
Wild Indigo PrairieAll seasons, 24/7AustinOak Savanna
Winter Road Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7RooseveltAgassiz Lowlands
Wolsfeld WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Long LakeBig Woods
Wood–RillAll seasons, 24/7WayzataBig Woods
Wykoff Balsam FirAll seasons, 24/7Spring ValleyThe Blufflands
Yellow Bank HillsAll seasons, 24/7MariettaMinnesota River Prairie
Zumbro Falls WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Zumbro FallsThe Blufflands