Quarry Hill Nature Center

Quarry Hill Nature Center Quarry Hill Nature Center is located in a 329 acre park and provides programs, recreation activities and a public Exploration Hall for visitors year-round.
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The Nature Center is admission free and features many exhibits that are sure to engage both children and adults. Inside the Nature Center features:
Exploration Hall with natural science touch tables
1,700 gallon Minnesota fish aquarium
Live reptiles, birds and amphibians
Indoor observation beehive
Bird-watching room
Children & Natural Science Library
Life-size T-Rex skull replica
Ski & Snowshoe re

ntals
Classroom and event space

Outside the park features paved bike & dirt hiking trails, a 3 acre pond that's great for fishing & wildlife viewing, restored oak savanna, and many historic features that remain from a former quarry operated by the Rochester State Hospital.

Introducing our summer nature camp staff! They could not be more excited to welcome your campers this summer. If you are...
05/31/2026

Introducing our summer nature camp staff! They could not be more excited to welcome your campers this summer.

If you are still hoping to register your child for our camp, we have space available for kids entering kindergarten and grades 5-9. Further information and registration details can be found at QHNC.campbrainregistration.com.

05/22/2026

It’s the International Day for Biological Diversity 🌳

Take a moment to look around… how many different plants, animals, and insects share the same space?

Every Scientific and Natural Area is home to hundreds of species, all connected and depending on each other. When we protect these habitats, we protect so much more than what we can see.

What would we lose if these spaces disappeared?

Curious what’s growing in your favorite SNA? Check out the full plant and bird lists on the website and see the diversity for yourself.

dnr.state.mn.us/snas/list.html



Photo: LeConte’s sparrow at Norris Camp Peatland SNA in Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota.

You can still register for summer camp! ☀️🌳🐢It's a myth that summer camp is filled!We have space available for kids ente...
05/14/2026

You can still register for summer camp! ☀️🌳🐢
It's a myth that summer camp is filled!
We have space available for kids entering kindergarten - grade 9.
From Young Naturalist for first-time campers to Geo-Trekker and Crazy Crayfish for adventurous kids in grades 7-9, your child is sure to have an unforgettable time!
Register at https://qhnc.campbrainregistration.com/

05/13/2026

Minnesota is for the birds 🐦✨

Tonight, 364 million birds are predicted to take flight, with a high concentration of birds flying over Minnesota, according to the bird migration forecast powered by Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Look to the skies for species such as the rose-breasted grosbeak, least flycatcher or common yellowthroat during daylight hours, and make sure to turn off non-essential lights at night (11 pm-6 am)!

Have you been enjoying spring migration season? Let us know which birds you've observed in the comments below!

The willow is leafing out, the pond is calm, and the mallards have claimed their spot. Spring is doing its thing. ...
05/11/2026

The willow is leafing out, the pond is calm, and the mallards have claimed their spot. Spring is doing its thing.

The builder has been revealed. 🪹The stunning nest posted earlier this week belongs to an Eastern Phoebe — one of the ear...
05/06/2026

The builder has been revealed. 🪹

The stunning nest posted earlier this week belongs to an Eastern Phoebe — one of the earliest flycatchers to return to Minnesota each spring. Unfortunately, this particular nest was found in the path of nearby construction, but it's a beautiful reminder of the detailed, intentional work happening in nature all around us this time of year.

Keep an eye out for Phoebes near bridges, buildings, and ledges — and listen for their raspy fee-bee call. They're hard to miss once you know what to look for.

Address

701 Silver Creek Road NE
Rochester, MN
55906

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15073283950

Website

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