Lowry Nature Center

Lowry Nature Center, the first public nature center built in the Twin Cities, is a beautiful, prairie-style building nestled in the middle of Carver Park Reserve. View seasonal interpretive displays, visit live animals, observe birds in the wildlife viewing area, or relax near the fireplace or on the deck.

Carver PDF Maps & Self-Guided Tour

Lowry Nature Center Summer | Lowry Nature Center Winter

Find printable maps of all areas of Carver on the Carver Park Reserve page.

NEW: Take a self-guided hike on the Maple Trail or take an audio driving tour of Carver!

Upcoming Events

Maple Syruping Programs

Throughout March | Multiple Locations
Attend a maple syrup festival, learn to make your own syrup, discover maple sugaring and more!

All Programs & Events

Take a guided walk under the full moon, learn about birding or find something else that interests you in one of Lowry's many outdoor learning programs and events.

Nearly all of our program offerings can be adapted or modified. Please call 763-559-9000 (for relay services dial 711) or email access@ThreeRiversParks.org to request free modifications and learn about available options. Learn more about accessibility at Three Rivers

More About Lowry Nature Center

Outside Lowry Nature Center, the 250-acre interpretive area features hiking trails that weave between diverse habitats such as lakes, tamarack bogs, cattail marshes and hardwood forests. Along the trails, you might spot some of the varied wildlife that live in the park, including beaver, deer, fox, coyote, muskrats, bats and turkeys. Some 250 species of birds can be observed in Carver Park Reserve seasonally. Opportunities to enhance your experience at the park are available through trail guides, exploration kits and interpretive signs.

The interpretive area also includes an exploration area. The Nature Exploration Area was created specifically to encourage free play in the outdoors. Children can explore, dig and build while adults play along or observe nearby.

Virtual Tour

Lowry Photography Club

Interested in nature and photography? Join the Lowry Photography Club! Share your latest photos, and learn and discuss photography techniques. All experience levels and kids with adults are welcome. Find the club on Facebook.

Discover the world of birding in the Young Birders Club! Learn all about native birds, and attend programs and events at nature centers in Three Rivers. Open to ages 9-12.

Equipment Rental

Explorer Backpacks

Check out an Explorer Backpack and embark on your own adventure at the Lowry Nature Center! Each backpack comes with tools to investigate a specific topic while on the trails. Topics include Trees, Birds, Frogs, Insects and Pond Exploration.

Explorer Backpacks are available on a first-come, first-served basis Monday–Saturday from 9 AM–4PM and Sundays 12–4 PM. Some topics may not be available as each backpack will only be rented once every 72 hours to allow for sanitizing. Call 763-694-7650 prior to your arrival or when you arrive for availability. Backpacks are free and appropriate for all ages. They must be returned at the end of your visit.

Groups

The professional naturalists at Lowry Nature Center can customize outdoor education programs for your school, scout troop, senior center, homeschool or other organized group.

Rental Spaces

Reserve the Fire Ring at Crosby Lake or one of the indoor spaces at Lowry Nature Center for your next meeting, retreat, family gathering or other event.

Wild Birthday Parties are offered year-round and are appropriate for children age four and older. Nature-based topics range from pond insects to birds, and snowshoeing to live animals. 

Join other teens in helping out Lowry or other nature centers by volunteering at summer camp, watching over the resident animals, monitoring wildlife and more. 

Give to Lowry

Love Lowry Nature Center? Consider donating to support outdoor education programs, animal care and display improvement.

Volunteering

Three Rivers relies on the support of volunteers to maintain the high-quality programs and operations at the nature centers.

The Wandering Naturalist

Episodes 195–197: Women and Wilderness

Join Brandon and Angela this month as we discuss women and wilderness. Discover how rewarding pursuing a career in the outdoors can be, the role educators play in creating a more inclusive space for everyone to explore their relationship with the outdoors and how our connection with the land guides our own healing.

The Three Rivers Blog

Wandering Warblers

By: Josh Sweet

May 02, 2022

Learn more about the warbler and its migration, as well as which species of warbler you can spot in Minnesota.

Phenology: Nature's Calendar

By: Ashley Smith

March 22, 2021

American robins, red-winged blackbirds, the call of wood frogs — signs of spring are upon us and we are taking note! Learn what it means to notice these changes of the season and how phenology helps local and global communities.

February 03, 2021

Watch a video to learn about the elusive mating ritual of the American woodcock and get tips on how you can experience this seasonal display of courtship this spring.

Similar Areas

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