



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 with our resident animals, observe birds in the wildlife viewing area or relax near the fireplace or on the deck.
Monday–Saturday: 9 AM–5 PM
Sunday: 12–5 PM
County Road 11 road work
This spring and summer, a construction project is taking place on Carver County Road 11, which travels through Carver Park Reserve. The project is a partnership between Carver County and the City of Victoria and includes the addition of turn lanes, wider shoulders and other modifications designed to improve safety. The project is underway, with work on culverts and storm sewers taking place in April.
Beginning April 18, County Road 11 will be closed between the campground entrance and Wisteria Street. During this time, park guests should plan to access Lowry Nature Center and the Monarch Singletrack Trail from the north via Highway 7 and County Road 11. View a map of where County Road 11 is open and closed.
From June through August, County Road 11 will be closed at its intersection with Highway 5. During that time, people traveling to Carver Park Reserve from Highway 5 should use the posted detour on Rolling Acres Road, then travel west on Highway 7 to County Road 11.
Interactive Map of Carver
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!
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–4 PM and Sundays 12–4 PM. 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.
Love Lowry Nature Center? Help us keep the wild magic alive! Your donation supports unforgettable outdoor education programs, top-notch care for our resident animals and exciting updates to our nature displays.
Want to help support our raptors? You can also give directly to support our raptor care—helping feed and house our majestic birds of prey.
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.
Volunteering
Three Rivers relies on the support of volunteers to maintain the high-quality programs and operations at the nature centers.
#threeriversparks
The Wandering Naturalist
Episodes 240–242: Turtle Treks
Let's talk turtles this month! Join Angela and Brandon as they hear from turtle experts. Dive into current research and conservation efforts surrounding northern turtle species, learn about different turtle adaptations, and gain insight into various hatchling behaviors and how climate change will impact them.
The Three Rivers Blog
Wandering Warblers
By: Josh Sweet
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
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.
The Sky Dance of the Timberdoodle
By: Elaine Tucker
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.
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