Wood Lake Nature Center

Following the safety guidance of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to slow the spread of COVID-19, all recreation facilities are closed. In-person, staff-led programming is open, registration for these programs can be  found  at www.richfieldmn.gov/onlineregistration . Walking trails at Wood Lake Nature Center will remain open. Please refer to the main Wood Lake Nature Center page for announcements about self-guided and virtual programming.
 
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6710 Lake Shore Drive (street map)
Richfield, MN 55423612-861-9365

Office Hours
Not Currently Open 

Park Hours
Daily: Sunrise to 11:00 pm

Trail conditions: Spring trail conditions can vary widely around the park. Expect mud, puddles, and dry spots. The Southwest corner of the park along the Perimeter trail is flooded. The Prairie trail is flooded due to spring rains. 

2021 Spring/Summer Programs & Events

Registration is open for 2021 Spring/Summer programs and events at Wood Lake! Check out the parent/child classes, kids camps, adult programs, family weekend specials, birthday parties, geocaching receiver checkout, nature exploration backpack checkout, and more! 
Check out the 2021 Spring/Summer Wood Lake Program Guide and register online for programs at www.richfieldmn.gov/onlineregistration

Wood Lake Nature Center 50th Anniversary Fundraising Drive        DONATE ONLINE (search "50th")
In lieu of a fundraising dinner this spring, the Friends of Wood Lake is celebrating Wood Lake’s 50th birthday with commemorative 50 year birthday gifts. This is a year to celebrate everything Wood Lake brings to the community: a connection to the natural world, educational programs, and a sense of wonder. Your donation will go directly into programming, staffing, and managing the natural resources as we look to our next 50 years. We hope you will consider giving at one of levels presented. Every gift of any size helps. Click on the images below to view a pdf version of the poster and form (photo credits: Suyash Chopra)...
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Other Activities at Wood Lake
Geocaching at Wood Lake
Did you know there are geocaches hidden inside of Wood Lake's 150 acres, waiting to be discovered? If you love being outdoors, exploring new places, or going on a nature hunt, this is the perfect activity for you!
Geocaching is a great outdoor recreation activity for all ages and experience levels (beginners welcome). Geocaching uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) system; points can be located on a GPS receiver or mobile device to find hide-and-seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", hidden at specific locations and marked by coordinates. A typical cache is a small waterproof container with a logbook in which notes can be added by the finder.
Want to try geocaching at Wood Lake? Download the geocaching.com app on your mobile device and create an account for free. Don't own a mobile phone? Reserve one of our GPS receivers for free by registering at www.richfieldmn.gov/onlineregistration (search geocache) to get you on your way!

Plan Your Visit
Wood Lake has over two miles of crushed limestone walking trails, floating boardwalk, and groomed cross-country ski trails (weather-permitting).  See Wood Lake's trail map for distances and more information.  Check out our Things To Do page to find out all the fun things there is to do during your visit at Wood Lake!

Environmental Education
Since 1971, the K-6 Richfield Public School students have visited Wood Lake three times a year as part of their regular science curriculum  This partnership is made possible by the annual Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K. To plan a guided field trip with a naturalist, visit our Field Trips and Education page for more information or call 612-861-9365 to book a field trip. 

Please keep our park healthy and welcoming to all wildlife and people by observing these guidelines:

  • Service Dogs Happily Welcome- Check out the list of Richfield Parks that are dog friendly here and the new Richfield dog park at Roosevelt Park!
  • No bikes inside the park
  • Stay on the trails
  • Observe park signs
  • Dispose of trash and recycling properly
  • No picking of plants

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  • Parking includes 4 accessible parking spots close to the ramp that leads to the nature center
  • Parking lot is bordered by a sidewalk with 3 curb cut outs close to ramp entrance and 2 gate entrances
  • Automatic door opener at main entrance
  • ADA-compliant drinking fountain
  • Boardwalk trail is combination of paved and crushed limestone
  • Two amphitheaters on the property are accessible
  • Accessible dock close to the nature center
  • Accessible picnic tables are available in the Emily Day Picnic Pavilion, the gateway picnic area by the parking lot,  and by the pollinator garden near the nature center building.
  • For specific accommodations, please contact 612-861-9365 with advanced notice
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