Twin Cities Business Listing

8946 70th Street S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Dodge Nature Center: 651-455-4531
Admission: $0.00
Free to Visit. Some Programs Require a Fee
Scroll to the bottom for a registration link
Open Sunrise to Sunset 365 days a year.

Shepard Farm in Cottage Grove is managed by Dodge Nature Center. It opened to the public in the spring of 2022  and offers a one-mile trail that families can explore any day of the year between sunrise and sunset. Dodge Nature Center offers nature programs for children, adults and families at the farm. Farm animals include goats, cows, sheep, honey bees. Families can also rent a garden plot on the property.

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Shepard Farm Trail Map

A trail map can be printed from Shepard Farm’s webpage. It shows where the walking path is paved, gravel or road and also includes markers for finding the pavilion, restrooms, community gardens, historic buildings and bee apiary – as well as entrances and exits. The trailhead is marked by a white kiosk to the west of the parking lot and their are trail markers throughout the path. The trail is only about a mile long, so it is ideal for walking with younger kids. Explore the 100-year-old woods and restored prairie, check out the historic farm buildings from the 1920s, view the community gardens and bee apiary along your walk.

Family Programs at Shepard Farm

Naturalist led programs and guided hikes can be found on the Dodge Nature Center activities calendar. Look for programs on raising bees and chickens as well as agricultural and environmental education. In 2023, Dodge Nature Center built a smithy to host blacksmithing classes.

Summer Camps

Summer camps are managed by Dodge Nature Center. Campers should expect to be outdoors and get dirty. Find more information in our annual summer camp guide.

Coming Updates to Shepard Farm

Dodge Nature Center will be building a new education center at Shepard Farm in the Fall of 2023. New classrooms, a patio, accessible restrooms, and gathering spaces will be added to the historic farm house. These updates will allow Dodge to offer new classes and programs beginning in the fall of 2023.

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