Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
The 507 acre Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
preserve was established in 1971 and is
located in Western Mower County within
the city limits of Austin.  The Nature
Center features restored and remnant
prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and
meandering streams.  As you hike the ten
miles of trail there are deer, mink,
raccoons, salamanders, birds and other
native wildlife for your viewing pleasure.
Trail hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
seven days a week.
(No fees for trail or Visitor Center)
The Visitor Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Closed 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Located on 21st Street NE, one quarter mile North off
Exit 180B, on Interstate 90

The Nature Center DOES NOT ALLOW:
dogs, pets of any kind, biking, smoking, alcohol,
collecting of plants or animals, camping, fires or
picnicking on the trails or grounds.

Phone: 507-437-7519
Fax: 507-437-8246
E-mail: jchnatur@smig.net
Street Address: 1304 21st Street NE, Austin, MN  55912

Education
School Programs
Hands-on structured environmental education
programs are offered to all ages with emphasis at grades
K through 6.  Staff is willing to adapt to your
curriculum needs.  
Bus Tours
Fun, interactive educational programs developed for all
ages, includes seasonal offerings such as maple syruping
and apple cidering.  
Visitor Center
Features an exhibit display area with live animals, touch
tables, mounted animals, nature games, preschool play
area and a nature library.
Click here to
download a copy
of the Spring and
Summer Nature
Center News.
Please be patient, we've packed a lot in!
The Nature Center is now
on Facebook.
See pictures from our memorial for Red,
the Red-tailed Hawk, on the Friends page.
Starting Thursday morning, May 2, join us at 6:30 a.m. for a
birding hike. Binoculars available! Click here for more
information.
The Visitor Center will be closed on Sunday, May 12. The trails will be open,
and the woodland wildflowers are starting to bloom, so come and celebrate
Mother's Day!