Quarry Hill Nature Center

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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 rentals
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.

10/26/2026

Social Science!
Science can be fun, intriguing, and down right weird! Last night, we hosted our first ever Social Science event “Nature’s Darker Side”, bringing together curious folks in a relaxing atmosphere. What better way to spend a Saturday night?
Stay tuned for more Social Science in 2027!
Thanks to our guest experts: Laura Unterholzner and Alli Horejsi, high school science teachers; Mary McKie, veterinarian; and artist, Aliya Crystal.

The answer to our second Mystery Skull Monday is... a black bear! 🐻Those flat, bumpy back teeth were the big clue. Bears...
10/20/2026

The answer to our second Mystery Skull Monday is... a black bear! 🐻

Those flat, bumpy back teeth were the big clue. Bears are omnivores, so their molars are built for grinding berries, nuts, and plants.

Want to tell it apart from a coyote or fox? Start with size: a black bear skull is about 9 to 12 inches, while a coyote’s is only 7 to 8 and a fox’s is 4 to 6. 📏 Then look at the shape. A bear has wide, flared cheekbones and a broad, rounded braincase, while coyotes and foxes are narrower, with a thin ridge (called a sagittal crest) running down the top. 🦴

Did you get it right? Tell us below, and get ready for next week’s skull! 👀💀

Mystery Skull Monday is back, and this week’s skull is a big one! 🐾 Last week you all reminded us that size matters, so ...
10/19/2026

Mystery Skull Monday is back, and this week’s skull is a big one! 🐾 Last week you all reminded us that size matters, so this time we’ve added something for scale. 🍂🌰

Check out those big canines up front, but don’t miss the back teeth. They’re flat and bumpy, not sharp. What do you think that says about what this animal likes to eat?

Drop your guess in the comments! 👇 We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow! 👀

The answer to our first Mystery Skull Monday is... a beaver! 🦫And you all were so close! Lots of you guessed beaver or m...
10/13/2026

The answer to our first Mystery Skull Monday is... a beaver! 🦫

And you all were so close! Lots of you guessed beaver or muskrat, and several of you pointed out how hard it is to tell without a scale. You are 100% right! With skulls, size really does matter. A muskrat skull looks a lot like a beaver’s, but it’s only about half the size. Beavers are the largest rodents in North America, so their skulls are quite a bit bigger. 📏

Thank you for playing along and for those great guesses! Which skull do you think is next? 👀💀

Spooky season is officially here, and we’ve got a bone to pick with you... Mystery Skull Monday is back, and we’re start...
10/12/2026

Spooky season is officially here, and we’ve got a bone to pick with you... Mystery Skull Monday is back, and we’re starting with a good one!
Let’s start with a good one. Take a look at those front teeth. Yep, they’re really that orange! 🧡 The color comes from iron in the enamel, which makes them extra tough.

Fun fact: these teeth never stop growing, so this animal has to keep chewing to keep them in check!

Who do you think it is? Drop your guess in the comments! 👇 We’ll reveal the answer tomorrow! 👀

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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