Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, State park in Rice County, Minnesota, United States.
The 2,882-acre park contains forests, meadows, and wetlands with a network of trails leading through hardwood groves and limestone formations.
The park, established in 1945, preserves a section of the Big Woods that covered southeast Minnesota before European settlers arrived in the 1840s.
The name Nerstrand derives from Nedstrand in Norway, reflecting the Norwegian settlement heritage of the surrounding region in Minnesota.
Visitors can access hiking trails, camping facilities, and educational programs throughout the year, with snowshoeing options during winter months.
The park protects a population of dwarf trout lilies, an endangered flower species that grows naturally only in three Minnesota counties.
Location: Rice County
Inception: 1945
Address: 9700 170th Street East, Nerstrand, MN 55053
Phone: +15073846140
Email: nerstrand.statepark@state.mn.us
Website: https://dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00241
GPS coordinates: 44.34702,-93.10379
Latest update: May 10, 2025 23:43
Shattuck-Saint Mary's
13.3 km
Tate Hall, Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
13.6 km
Faribault Woolen Mills
14.2 km
Thorstein Veblen Farmstead
4.5 km
Goodsell Observatory
13.4 km
The Cave
13.2 km
O. E. Rolvaag House
14 km
Archibald Mill
12.3 km
Northfield Public Library
13.1 km
Alexander Faribault House
14.4 km
Thomas Scott Buckham Memorial Library
14.5 km
Valley Grove
1.6 km
Blind Department Building and Dow Hall, State School for the Blind
14.1 km
Willis Hall
13.3 km
Jo Ryo En Japanese Garden
13 km
Bonde Farmhouse
1.9 km
Scoville Memorial Library
13.2 km
Thomas and Bridget Shanahan McMahon House
13.8 km
Nerstrand City Hall
2.9 km
All Saints Church-Episcopal
12.8 km
Osmund Osmundson House
3.1 km
Edward T. Archibald House
11.9 km
Faribault Viaduct
14.4 km
Hauge Lutheran Church
12.1 km
Batchelder's Block
14.5 km
Northfield Historical Society
12.9 km
Old Main, St. Olaf College
13.9 km
Grand Theatre
12.9 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes