Although most people know the arboretum for sculptured formal gardens, it also includes natural woodland, marsh, and restored prairie areas, all accessible by trails. On the prairie, look for sedge wrens and butterflies. The formal gardens attract hummingbirds. On summer nights watch for fireflies, not often seen in the metro area anymore. Also look for other flycatchers, swallows, woodpeckers, soras, green herons, Virginia rails, swamp sparrows, and deer.
Admission is charged.
These 2,500 acres of prairie, oak savanna, woodlands, old fields, and wetland are part of the 10,514-acre Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Because this area floods frequently, refuge managers installed a water-control structure on Sand Creek to allow the marsh to be better managed for wildlife. From Shakopee, take Highway 169 south about four miles to 145th Street West, go past the Renaissance Festival entrance and over the railroad tracks to the parking lot on your left. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now adjusts the pond levels to attract waterfowl and shorebirds. Rare bird sightings include reports of a king rail and white-faced ibis.