Nerstrand Big Woods State Park, State park in Rice County, Minnesota, United States.
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is a forest preserve covering nearly 3,000 acres with hardwood groves, meadows, and wetland areas. The terrain features limestone formations and is crossed by a network of walking trails.
The park was established in 1945 to protect a remnant of the Big Woods forest that once blanketed southeast Minnesota before European settlement in the 1840s. This preserved section guards one of the last traces of a landscape that was nearly erased.
The name Nerstrand comes from Nedstrand in Norway, reflecting the Norwegian immigrant roots in the region.
The trails are open year-round, with snowshoeing available during winter. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the ground can be uneven and muddy in places.
The park shelters a population of dwarf trout lilies, an endangered flower found naturally in only three Minnesota counties. This rare plant makes the preserve particularly important for conservation efforts.
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