Tamarack Nature Center

Website Tamarack Nature Center
Phone 651-407-5350

Trails and Discovery Hollow & Garden are free and open to the public. Sign in at the main office before or after your visit. Some programs have fees.

Note: Tamarack Nature Preserve in Woodbury is a completely different place with a similar name.

 Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area

Discovery Hollow is a nature play area located in the nature center’s backyard. It is open to the public from 9am to dusk. Kids can play with wood to build a tree fort, climb the cliffs of the Overlook, play in the stream and garden, and crawl around the Hobbit House.

Video Tour:

Tamarack Nature Center Indoor Activities for Kids

The visitor center is full of fun activities for kids and families. Kids can get an up-close look at animals that would be found in the park including turtles, snakes, salamanders, and frogs. They can also see a display of a honey bee hive. Cuddle up in the sitting area with nature-themed books, puzzles and toys.

Visitors can access the building Monday through Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday from noon to 4pm (accept holidays). The grounds, including Discovery Hollow, the garden and trails, are open daily even when the building is closed.

Look for free summer adventures at Tamarack

Tamarack Nature Center traditionally offers several free programs during summer such as Meet the Gardener, where visitors can help with planting, tending and tasting the harvest. Families can also go on a Discovery Walk through the prairie or attend other programs.

Discovery Walks – Naturalist Led Exploration

Saturday Discovery Walks are occasionally offered. These free programs do require registration. The walks are led by volunteers and cover fun subjects like birds, butterflies, prairies and more. Upcoming topics can be found on our calendar or on Tamarack’s website.

Tamarack Nature Center Trails with Kids

The nature center has several walking trails ranging from .12 miles to 2½ miles. These trails are strictly for human pedestrians; bikes and dogs are not allowed. Some of the trails are open for cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing during the winter. Trails from shortest to longest include:

• 0.12-mile Turtle Pass Trail
• 0.42-mile Chickadee Trail Loop
• 0.8-mile Deer Pass Trail
• 1.25-mile Acorn Loop
• 2.5-mile Dragonfly Loop:

Meet the Gardener – Garden Stewardship Program

If  you are new to gardening or would like to grow your knowledge, you can meet in Discovery Hollow at Tamarack most Mondays during the summer from 10:15 – 11:00 am for Meet the Gardener.  Try your hand a planting and tending the garden at Tamarack and enjoy your fruits of the harvest.

Winter Activities at Tamarack Nature Center

Skiing & snowshoeing

Tamarack is one of several Ramsey County Parks that keeps cross-country ski trails packed. A Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use these trails for anyone 16 and over. Visitors do not need a special permit to snowshoe.

Both skis and snowshoes can be rented at the Tamarack Winter Recreation Rental Shack (part of the nature center building), between mid December and early March. Note: that the rental shack closes when trail conditions are poor.

Sledding

Tamarack has a designated sledding hill located in the Discovery Hollow Nature Play Area.

Tamarack Nature Center birthday party packages

Tamarack offers both Naturalist-led birthday parties and space rental for private birthday parties. Packages for parties led by professional environmental educators are generally available for 2-hour blocks on weekends. Parents can also call for weekday availability. If you prefer space rental only, this option is available also. Find this and more parties: Twin Cities Birthday Parties for Kids: Party in the Park.

Tamarack Nature Center summer camps

Tamarack typically offers 4-day summer camps during the summer months. Find updated information and prices in our annual summer camp guide.

Tamarack Nature Center Preschool

The nature center works with White Bear Lake school district to offer ECFE programs and My Nature Preschool. Preschool is half days for 2-4 days per week.

When we visited Tamarack we couldn’t have felt more welcomed by the staff and volunteers. We looked out the floor to ceiling windows at the wetland habitat in front of us; we enjoyed the beehive (that was safely behind plexiglass); and we built with the tree shaped blocks.

It was low-key and invigorating at the same time. Environmental education programs add that much more thrill for learning and experiencing nature. Stations are open to all ages, but please note that children should be accompanied by an adult.

More information

• Ramsey county provides trail maps and and rules for use on its website
• Find a printable PDF map of the trails here
• Skiing & snowshoeing information
• Reserve equipment here
• Learn About Tamarack Early Childhood Education Programs
• Book a birthday party
• Register for activities and events through Ramsey County

Related content

• Indoor & Outdoor Fun: Twin Cities Nature Centers (NE Metro)
• Maple Syruping in the Twin Cities
• More Creative Play Areas: Twin Cities Nature Playgrounds
• DIY Nature Fun: 65+ Fun Nature Play Ideas for Kids.

Share Your Experience/Tips:

• Tamarack Drop-In Discoveries: Bird Banding (FREE) - 05/09/2026 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Tamarack Nature Center Summer Camp - 06/22/2026 - 08/10/2026 - SEE TIMES

Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again

• Tamarack Trick or Treat - 10/25/2025 - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Tamarack Sap to Syrup - 03/21/2026 - 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm