Tamarack Nature Center

Met our lovely photographer for our annual mini session. This time we met at the Tamarack Nature Center. The colors couldn't have more beautiful and it appears everyone else knew it too. Lots of photographers and other people there too and great locations to shoot. Lovely paths and places to explore. Lots of parking too!

Building is closed now due to covid concerns. They have improved the kids area, so bring the kids and play safely outside! Or take a hike with the family!They DO offer outdoor farmers market and food trucks on certain dates-just stay safe by socially distancing.

I live south of the river and had to drive 40 mins to get here...so worth it! This place is amazing! It is easy to find firstly... which was nice. Plenty of parking. We first went inside and the kids loved seeing the turtles, frogs, snakes and bees. Someone who worked there chased us down to wash our hands after touching the snake #yesthankyou!Next we headed to discovery hallow. This little piece of nature heaven was wonderful. There is a long stream of crisp fresh water. It just helps the kids imagination. Right beside it is a sand pit. There is a water source... ...but just enough water to add moisture ...but not make it a sandy pool. My kids loved it! We left after the stream and sand pit, but there was a rock climbing area, a nature building area and a garden. I think there are going trails too. Next time we'll bring our food to picnic. Can't wait to visit again!

The nature center seems to be an excellent place for adults and children alike! We specifically went to check out the gardens and Discovery Hollow! In there garden area we were asked to help to pick flowers to aide in the making of camomile tea! That was so much fun, both my 1 and 4 year old didn't want to leave the area! Next we explored the Discovery Hollow. The children can climb and get dirty! It was a nice set up but did get very crowded. There is a small man made creek that the children can play in and use sticks and rocks to create a dam. There is also sand nearby too!When it got too crowded for us, we decided to explore the acorn trail and the turtle trail! The whole area is well kept and we cannot wait to go back. We did take a quick peek inside to see the turtles and frogs but outside is where it's at!

Have visited here many times over the years. In an effort to find hiking with social distancing I drove to the South Entrance on Hammond Ave. Once can park on the street or a bit farther West at the White Bear Township offices building. At this end of the nature center the paths are much less frequented and are 8 to 10 feet wide. A lovely walk along an undulating path, with birds chirping and wildlife scurrying about. Most of the way on a nearly two mile circuit there are two artists painting a marsh. No better way to spend an hour in this area.

What a fabulous place to take the kids! The gardens are beautiful and have neat interactive portions (feel me, taste me, smell me, etc.). They also have special themed days each Saturday. The best part of this center is the outdoor play area, including fountains (think an artificial creek) and sand. There's so much fun to be had for a little one! Inside is a small library and some turtles, snakes and salamanders. They add to the experience but the outdoor setup is why people come!

I used to love this park. I just got back from cross country skiing. They are no longer tracking the trails and they chopped down every single tree, which used to be a great freeway and wind barrier. It looks like a barren wasteland.They are now charging a fee to use the untracked trail. They are also renting out ski equipment and telling people that the trails are tracked. Not the case. People were falling down all over because the track does not exist.They decided to use the tax payers money to make the land into a prairie. I will be going elsewhere.