Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Specialties

The Jay C Hormel Nature Center aims to educate people about the natural world. With over 10 miles of trails winding through 500+ acres, visitors have a chance to see all types of native wildlife.

The Interpretative Center offers a variety of displays, hands on exhibits and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Learn more about local wildlife from the live educational animals like Guka, the barred owl. Young ones can play in the Childhood Room, which features a library, puzzles, games and a great view of the bird feeders.

The Jay C Hormel Nature Center offers ski and snow shoe rentals in the winter, kayak and canoe rentals in the summer, and many special events year-​round.

Canoe & Kayak Rental

$ 10 for a 3-​hour rental. A 5-​punch card can be purchased for $ 25 (good for 5 half-​price rentals.) There is no pick-​up or drop-​off service, guests must allot enough time to paddle round trip. Equipment must be returned no later than 4:45 pm.

Rentals are FREE Thursday afternoons from 1 pm — 4 pm throughout the summer. Check the calendar of events on the official website for more information about Nature Play afternoons.

History

Established in 1971.

1927 — Jay Catherwood Hormel plants the first of more than 200,000 trees on the land that will one day become part of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

1971 — The City of Austin acquires 123 acres of land around the Hormel estate.

1975 — U.S. Senator Hubert Humphrey speaks at the dedication of the Visitor Center.

1985 — A 125-​ton gneiss rock, a glacial erratic, is moved to the Nature Center.

1994 — The Ruby Rupner Auditorium is dedicated.

2013 — Plans announced for a new Interpretive Center building.

2016 — Groundbreaking for new Interpretive Center