Flock to Quarry Hill and experience birds up-close while taking part in the Nature Center's bird banding program. Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close when you learn how to safely trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds will be submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. Enrollment is limited.

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

In the snow and on the ice get ready to frolic as we explore winter's frosty grip! We will investigate ice on the pond and the life underneath it, play a traditional game of snow snakes and use inspiration from nature to make icy sun catchers.       

In the snow and on the ice get ready to frolic as we explore winter's frosty grip! We will investigate ice on the pond and the life underneath it, play a traditional game of snow snakes and use inspiration from nature to make icy sun catchers.       

Star light, star bright, hike along by candlelight! Embrace Minnesota’s sparkling season and beautiful winter landscape with an evening of hiking by candlelight. Follow luminaries along a groomed trail to the Prairie House to warm by a bonfire and enjoy the outdoor hot cocoa bar. Luminaries will also light your return path through the prairie as you conclude your adventure.

Owls have many adaptations for their life in the forest. Totally silent flight, sharp talons, and large eyes set forward make them stealthy hunters. Learn all about these impressive predatory adaptations and the owl species that live in Minnesota. 

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

Star light, star bright, hike along by candlelight! Embrace Minnesota’s sparkling season and beautiful winter landscape with an evening of hiking by candlelight. Follow luminaries along a groomed trail to the Prairie House to warm by a bonfire and enjoy the outdoor hot cocoa bar. Luminaries will also light your return path through the prairie as you conclude your adventure.

Our Beyond the Book adventures continue with the children's classic Owl Moon.

Come to the Prairie House for a fireside reading of Owl Moon followed by a live owl encounter and a 30 minute hike with a Quarry Hill naturalist. 

Our Beyond the Book adventures continue with the children's classic Owl Moon.

Come to the Prairie House for a fireside reading of Owl Moon followed by a live owl encounter and a 30 minute hike with a Quarry Hill naturalist. 

Flock to Quarry Hill and experience birds up-close while taking part in the Nature Center's bird banding program. Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close when you learn how to safely trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds will be submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. Enrollment is limited.

Feathered socks, a hooked beak and gigantic eyes – oh my! Get up close with one of Quarry Hill’s little owls to learn all about their special features. Then head outdoors to look for owl nests and try your skills at owl calling. Back indoors, we will dissect owl pellets. It’s sure to be a HOOT!

Feathered socks, a hooked beak and gigantic eyes – oh my! Get up close with one of Quarry Hill’s little owls to learn all about their special features. Then head outdoors to look for owl nests and try your skills at owl calling. Back indoors, we will dissect owl pellets. It’s sure to be a HOOT!

Star light, star bright, hike along by candlelight! Embrace Minnesota’s sparkling season and beautiful winter landscape with an evening of hiking by candlelight. Follow luminaries along a groomed trail to the Prairie House to warm by a bonfire and enjoy the outdoor hot cocoa bar. Luminaries will also light your return path through the prairie as you conclude your adventure.

Bring your sweetheart or come with friends for a candlelit evening in nature. 

Follow the romantic glow of a candlelit trail to the Prairie House. There you can warm up by a bonfire and enjoy your selection from the hot cocoa bar, with or without spirits. Luminaries will light your return path. Don't forget to stop at the photo tree adorned with candles for a selfie with your special someone.

Bring your family and friends for an afternoon of snow games and experience snow like you never have before!

Huddle together, slow down, stock up on food and use 'antifreeze' - animals use some amazing adaptations to survive the winter weather! Join a naturalist and discover how animals get through the long, cold, snowy months of winter.

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

Flock to Quarry Hill and experience birds up-close while taking part in the Nature Center's bird banding program. Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close when you learn how to safely trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds will be submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. Enrollment is limited.

Tracks, trails and scat – we’re headed out in search of deer in the Quarry Hill woods and field. Get ready for hide and seek and finders keepers as we join in antler games! Oh deer, mister buck dropped his antler, can we find it? Hightail it to Quarry Hill to discover all about this treasured and secretive mammal.

Tracks, trails and scat – we’re headed out in search of deer in the Quarry Hill woods and field. Get ready for hide and seek and finders keepers as we join in antler games! Oh deer, mister buck dropped his antler, can we find it? Hightail it to Quarry Hill to discover all about this treasured and secretive mammal.

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

Celebrate the return of spring and all things green while Painting in the Prairie!
We welcome painters of all skill levels to enjoy a glass of hard cider in the beautiful
setting of the Prairie House while unlocking your creative side!
Follow and paint along with Brooke Hilger, naturalist and artist, as she guides you with step by step
instruction on a spring themed canvas painting.

Come to Quarry Hill Nature Center for some quality time rock painting together!
Choose your rocks, then paint along step by step with artist and Quarry Hill naturalist, Brooke Hilger. Each participant will paint their own rock. We welcome painters of all skill levels. All materials are provided.

You are sure to leave this class with a spring themed work of art that truly rocks! 

Some crawl, some fly, hairy legs, googly eyes…what Creepy Crawlies are lurking about the Nature Center?

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

No homework required during this two-day mini camp for grades K-5. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, investigators, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this two-day mini camp for grades K-5. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, investigators, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this two-day mini camp for grades K-5. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, investigators, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this two-day mini camp for grades K-5. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, investigators, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this two-day mini camp for grades K-5. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, investigators, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

No homework required during this two-day mini camp for grades K-5. Spend your days off enjoying some good-natured fun with a Quarry Hill naturalist discovering the many signs of spring emerging in the park. Explorers, investigators, photographers - read on to see which camp is designed especially for your age group.

Flock to Quarry Hill and experience birds up-close while taking part in the Nature Center's bird banding program. Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close when you learn how to safely trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds will be submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. Enrollment is limited.

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

They’re sticky and they’re slimy, wiggly and tiny, they’re all together grimy it’s the worm family! Get ready to dig into the wonderful world of worms as we explore one of nature’s most down to earth creatures. Learn about their amazing recycling powers and streamlined design that make them the best creature for the job!

They’re sticky and they’re slimy, wiggly and tiny, they’re all together grimy it’s the worm family! Get ready to dig into the wonderful world of worms as we explore one of nature’s most down to earth creatures. Learn about their amazing recycling powers and streamlined design that make them the best creature for the job!

Ribbit, croak, and sing. Our frogs have plenty to say about their lifestyle at Quarry Hill. We might even see some of their friends on a quick trip out to the pond.

Join us for an Earth Day celebration and meet one of nature’s most incredible birds – the Peregrine Falcon.

Celebrate Earth Day with an environmental success story - the Peregrine Falcon. 

Pre-sale only, pick up on April 22 & 23. 

A great way to bring a natural touch into your backyard! Native plants are best adapted to the local climate and once established seldom need watering, mulching, or protection from frost. Native plants attract beautiful butterflies, beneficial insects & birds.  

Pre-sale only, pick up on April 22 & 23. 

A great way to bring a natural touch into your backyard! Native plants are best adapted to the local climate and once established seldom need watering, mulching, or protection from frost. Native plants attract beautiful butterflies, beneficial insects & birds.  

Have you ever peeked under a rock? A whole community of creatures live there! Join a naturalist at the Nature Center for a reading of the children’s book Under One Rock. Then head out to the woods with your guide where we will look for worms, bug, slugs and other ugs and learn the secret art of worm mustarding!

Join members of the GLOW STEM committee for fun, educational recycling crafts, activities, and games! Just in time for earth day, learn how a pop bottle or a cardboard box can become a work of art or a functional tool after its initial during the GLOW STEM committee’s inaugural “Sustainability and Me” Sustainability Fair!

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

The game is afoot!  All ages will enjoy this family friendly survival game adventure. Animals have special adaptations that help them survive, but competition in the wild can be fierce!

Flock to Quarry Hill and experience birds up-close while taking part in the Nature Center's bird banding program. Learn why birds are banded and how bird banding helps with conservation. Then get up-close when you learn how to safely trap, handle and release wild birds! The data gathered from these birds will be submitted to the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory. Enrollment is limited.

Frogs and toads are starting their spring songs! Come meet some of our live frogs & toads as we learn all about their spring songs and lifecycle. Then we will grab nets and head out to the pond in search of these peeping leapers!

Frogs and toads are starting their spring songs! Come meet some of our live frogs & toads as we learn all about their spring songs and lifecycle. Then we will grab nets and head out to the pond in search of these peeping leapers!

Step back in time when you step into the Quarry Hill Cave! Quarry Hill Park was once part of the Rochester State Hospital grounds and there remains some interesting historic features from a century of agriculture, quarry operations and more. Learn about some of these historic features and tour the sandstone storage cave, carved in 1882. 

The lands of Quarry Hill Park were once part of Rochester’s historic State Hospital grounds.   Join other adults on a guided walking tour of the park to visit some of the interesting historic features that remain from a century of State Hospital use.  For example did you know that the hospital farmed over 1,000 acres and provided all the food required for all of their patients?  From cave, to cemetery, to quarry operations – the history is rich and intriguing!