Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas (SNAs) are public lands in the state of Minnesota that have been permanently protected to preserve any one or combination of the following: Native plant and animal communities Rare species Places of biodiversity significance Geological features or formations Seasonal havens for wildlife and vantage points for observing them Successional processes Relict flora or fauna Fossil evidence The SNA Program is housed within the Division of Ecological and Water Resources at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The primary goal of the program is to ensure that none of Minnesota's natural heritage is lost from any ecological region of the state. The secondary goal is to provide opportunities for compatible scientific research, education, and nature-based recreation. The Program currently oversees 166 SNAs.
SNA NameHours/ClosuresLocaleEcological Classification
SystemAgassiz DunesAll seasons, 24/7FertileRed River PrairieAntelope ValleyAll seasons, 24/7Wergeland TownshipMinnesota River PrairieAvon Hills ForestAll seasons, 24/7AvonHardwood HillsBadoura Jack Pine WoodlandAll seasons, 24/7BadouraPine Moraines & Outwash PlainsBald Eagle BluffAll seasons, 24/7Lake CityThe BlufflandsBig IslandAll seasons, 24/7OrrBorder LakesBlack Lake BogAll seasons, 24/7Bruno TownshipMille Lacs UplandsBlaine Airport Rich FenDue to airport security, site open by permit only.BlaineAnoka Sand PlainBlaine PreserveAll seasons, 24/7Circle PinesAnoka Sand PlainBlanket Flower PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Pelican RapidsHardwood HillsBlue Devil ValleyAll seasons, 24/7Granite FallsMinnesota River PrairieBluestem PrairieAll seasons, 24/7GlyndonRed River PrairieBoltuck-Rice Forever WildAll seasons, 24/7CohassetSt. Louis MorainesBonanza PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BeardsleyMinnesota River PrairieBoot LakeAll seasons, 24/7WyomingAnoka Sand PlainBotany BogAll seasons, 24/7Grand RapidsSt. Louis MorainesBrownsville BluffSanctuary portion closedHouston CountyThe BlufflandsBruce Hitman Heron RookeryClosed April 1 through July 15 to protect rare bird breeding areas.GlenwoodMinnesota River PrairieBurntside IslandsAll seasons, 24/7ElyBorder LakesButternut Valley PrairieAll seasons, 24/7MadeliaMinnesota River PrairieButterwort CliffsClosed April 1 through July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.Grand MaraisNorth Shore HighlandsCaldwell Brook Cedar SwampAll seasons, 24/7NorthomeLittlefork–Vermilion UplandsCannon River Trout LilyAll seasons, 24/7FaribaultBig WoodsCannon River Turtle PreserveClosed May 1 through October 15 to protect turtle
breeding areas.Red WingThe BlufflandsCedar MountainAll seasons, 24/7FranklinMinnesota River PrairieCedar RockAll seasons, 24/7Redwood FallsMinnesota River PrairieChamberlain WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Le SueurBig WoodsCherry Grove Blind ValleyAll seasons, 24/7Spring ValleyRochester PlateauChimney RockAll seasons, 24/7HastingsRochester PlateauChisholm Point IslandAll seasons, 24/7CohassetSt. Louis MorainesClear LakeAll seasons, 24/7Clear LakeAnoka Sand PlainClinton Falls Dwarf Trout LilyAll seasons, 24/7MedfordOak SavannaClinton PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Graceville TownshipMinnesota River PrairieCold Spring Heron ColonyAll seasons, 24/7Cold SpringHardwood HillsCompass PrairieAll seasons, 24/7RushmoreCoteau MorainesCottonwood River PrairieAll seasons, 24/7North Star TownshipMinnesota River PrairieCrystal SpringWashington CountySt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesDes Moines RiverAll seasons, 24/7WindomCoteau MorainesEagle's Nest Island No. 4All seasons, 24/7ElyBorder LakesEast Rat Root River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7KabetogamaLittlefork–Vermilion UplandsEgret IslandClosed April 1 through July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.AshbyMinnesota River PrairieEnglund EcotoneAll seasons, 24/7RiceAnoka Sand PlainFalls CreekAll seasons, 24/7ScandiaSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesFelton PrairieAll seasons, 24/7FeltonRed River PrairieFranconia BluffsAll seasons, 24/7ShaferMille Lacs UplandsFrenchman's BluffAll seasons, 24/7Twin ValleyRed River PrairieGlynn PrairieAll seasons, 24/7WindomCoteau MorainesGneiss OutcropsAll seasons, 24/7Granite FallsMinnesota River PrairieGreenwater LakeAll seasons, 24/7Detroit LakesPine Moraines & Outwash PlainsGrey Cloud DunesAll seasons, 24/7Cottage GroveSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesGully FenAll seasons, 24/7GullyAspen ParklandsGustafson's CampAll seasons, 24/7BaudetteAgassiz LowlandsHarry W. Cater Homestead PrairieAll seasons, 24/7St. CloudAnoka Sand PlainHastingsAll seasons, 24/7HastingsThe BlufflandsHastings Sand CouleeAll seasons, 24/7HastingsOak SavannaHelen Allison SavannaAll seasons, 24/7East BethelAnoka Sand PlainHemlock RavineSanctuary portion closed to protect rare resources.EskoNorth Shore HighlandsHole in the Bog PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7BenaChippewa PlainsHolthe PrairieAll seasons, 24/7JacksonCoteau MorainesHovland WoodsAll seasons, 24/7East CookBorder LakesHythecker PrairieAll seasons, 24/7ClaremontOak SavannaIona's BeachAll seasons, 24/7Two HarborsNorth Shore HighlandsIron Horse PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HayfieldOak SavannaIron Springs BogAll seasons, 24/7ShelvinChippewa PlainsItasca Wilderness SanctuaryAll seasons, 24/7Park RapidsPine Moraines & Outwash PlainsJoseph A. Tauer PrairieAll seasons, 24/7New UlmMinnesota River PrairieKasota PrairieAll seasons, 24/7KasotaBig WoodsKawishiwi PinesAll seasons, 24/7ElyBorder LakesKellogg–Weaver DunesAll seasons, 24/7KelloggThe BlufflandsKettle RiverAll seasons, 24/7HinckleyMille Lacs UplandsKing's and Queen's BluffKing's Bluff is open to the public. Queen's Bluff is open
by permit only.WinonaThe BlufflandsLa Salle LakeAll seasons, 24/7SolwayChippewa PlainsLadies Tresses SwampAll seasons, 24/7CookSt. Louis MorainesLake Alexander WoodsAll seasons, 24/7CushingPine Moraines & Outwash PlainsLake Bronson ParklandAll seasons, 24/7HalmaAspen ParklandsLanghei PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BensonMinnesota River PrairieLawrence CreekHubbard CountyMille Lacs UplandsLester LakeChisago CountyPine Moraines & Outwash PlainsLittle Too Much LakeAll seasons, 24/7BigforkChippewa PlainsLost 40All seasons, 24/7NorthomeChippewa PlainsLost Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7CookLittlefork–Vermilion UplandsLost River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Big FallsAgassiz LowlandsLost Valley PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HastingsSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesLundblad PrairieAll seasons, 24/7SlaytonCoteau MorainesLutsenAll seasons, 24/7LutsenNorth Shore HighlandsLuxemberg PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7WarroadAgassiz LowlandsMalmberg PrairieAll seasons, 24/7FisherRed River PrairieMary Schmidt Crawford WoodsAll seasons, 24/7BuffaloBig WoodsMcGregor MarshAll seasons, 24/7McGregorTamarack LowlandsMinnesota Point Pine ForestAll seasons, 24/7DuluthNorth Shore HighlandsMille Lacs MoraineAll seasons, 24/7GarrisonMille Lacs UplandsMississippi River IslandsAll seasons, 24/7MonticelloAnoka Sand PlainMoose MountainAll seasons, 24/7DuluthNorth Shore HighlandsMorton OutcropsAll seasons, 24/7MortonMinnesota River PrairieMound PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HoustonThe BlufflandsMound Spring PrairieAll seasons, 24/7CanbyCoteau MorainesMulligan Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7GrygiaAgassiz LowlandsMyhr Creek RidgeAll seasons, 24/7Grand MaraisNorth Shore HighlandsMyrtle Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7LittleforkLittlefork–Vermilion UplandsNett Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7OrrLitttlefork–Vermilion UplandsNorris Camp PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Forest Area TownshipAgassiz LowlandsNorth Black River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Northwest KoochichingAgassiz LowlandsNorth Fork Zumbro WoodsAll seasons, 24/7WanamingoRochester PlateauOronoco PrairieAll seasons, 24/7OronocoRochester PlateauOsmundson PrairieFaribault CountyMinnesota River Prairie Otter Tail PrairieAll seasons, 24/7CampbellRed River PrairiePartch WoodsAll seasons, 24/7AvonHardwood HillsPembina TrailAll seasons, 24/7CrookstonAspen ParklandsPennington BogOpen by permit only.PenningtonChippewa PlainsPig's Eye Island Heron RookeryClosed April 1 through July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.St. PaulSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesPin Oak PrairieAll seasons, 24/7ChatfieldThe BlufflandsPine and Curry IslandClosed April 1 through July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.BaudetteAgassiz LowlandsPine Bend BluffsAll seasons, 24/7Inver Grove HeightsSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesPine Creek PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7RoseauAgassiz LowlandsPotato LakeAll seasons, 24/7EffieLittlefork–Vermilion UplandsPrairie Bush CloverAll seasons, 24/7LakefieldCoteau MorainesPrairie CoteauAll seasons, 24/7HollandInner CoteauPrairie Creek WoodsAll seasons, 24/7NerstrandOak SavannaPrairie Smoke DunesAll seasons, 24/7FertileRed River PrairiePurvis Lake–Ober FoundationAll seasons, 24/7ElyBorder LakesQuarry ParkAll seasons, 24/7Waite ParkAnoka Sand PlainRacine PrairieAll seasons, 24/7RacineRochester PlateauRed Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7WaskishAgassiz LowlandsRice Lake SavannaAll seasons, 24/7Clear Lake TownshipAnoka Sand PlainRichard M. and Mathilde Rice ElliotAll seasons, 24/7BarnesvilleRed River PrairieRipley EskerAll seasons, 24/7Fort Ripley TownshipMille Lacs UplandsRiver Terrace PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Cannon FallsThe BlufflandsRiver Warren OutcropsRenville CountyMinnesota River PrairieRock Ridge PrairieAll seasons, 24/7ComfreyMinnesota River PrairieRoscoe PrairieAll seasons, 24/7PaynesvilleMinnesota River PrairieRush Lake IslandClosed April 1 through July 15 to protect rare bird
breeding areas.StanchfieldMille Lacs UplandsRushford Sand BarrensAll seasons, 24/7PetersonThe BlufflandsSand Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7IsabellaLaurentian UplandsSandpiper PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Twin ValleyRed River PrairieSantee PrairieAll seasons, 24/7MahnomenRed River PrairieSavage FenAll seasons, 24/7SavageBig WoodsSedan Brook PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BrootenMinnesota River PrairieSeminary FenAll seasons, 24/7ChaskaBig WoodsShooting Star PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Le RoyOak SavannaSouth Black River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7Big FallsAgassiz LowlandsSprague Creek PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7RoseauAgassiz LowlandsSpring Beauty Northern HardwoodsAll seasons, 24/7East CookNorth Shore HighlandsSpring Creek PrairieAll seasons, 24/7Red WingThe BlufflandsSt. Croix SavannaAll seasons, 24/7BayportSt. Paul–Baldwin Plains and MorainesSt. Wendel Tamarack BogAll seasons, 24/7St. JosephHardwood HillsSugarloaf PointAll seasons, 24/7SchroderNorth Shore HighlandsSwedes ForestAll seasons, 24/7BelviewMinnesota River PrairieTownsend WoodsAll seasons, 24/7WatervilleBig WoodsTwin LakesAll seasons, 24/7StacyAnoka Sand PlainTwin Valley PrairieAll seasons, 24/7BorupRed River PrairieTwo Rivers Aspen ParklandAll seasons, 24/7GreenbushAspen ParklandsUncas DunesAll seasons, 24/7Big LakeAnoka Sand PlainVerlyn Marth Memorial PrairieAll seasons, 24/7HermanMinnesota River PrairieWabu WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Deer River TownshipSt. Louis MorainesWatrous IslandKoochiching CountyAgassiz LowlandsWawina PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7FloodwoodTamarack LowlandsWest Rat Root River PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7International FallsLittlefork–Vermilion UplandsWestern PrairieAll seasons, 24/7RothsayRed River PrairieWhitney IslandAll seasons, 24/7FaribaultBig WoodsWild Indigo PrairieAll seasons, 24/7AustinOak SavannaWinter Road Lake PeatlandAll seasons, 24/7RooseveltAgassiz LowlandsWolsfeld WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Long LakeBig WoodsWood–RillAll seasons, 24/7WayzataBig WoodsWykoff Balsam FirAll seasons, 24/7Spring ValleyThe BlufflandsYellow Bank HillsAll seasons, 24/7MariettaMinnesota River PrairieZumbro Falls WoodsAll seasons, 24/7Zumbro FallsThe Blufflands
See also Geology of Minnesota List of ecoregions in Minnesota Natural history of Minnesota Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program, a similar program in Wisconsin.
References
External links Index of Scientific and Natural Areas at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Minnesota Scientific and Natural Areas information at the University of Minnesota