Discover Oxbow Park

Established in 1967, Oxbow Park encompasses 572 acres of diverse ecosystems along the North Branch Zumbro River. Located in Minnesota’s Driftless Area—a region untouched by glaciers—the park features deeply carved river valleys, limestone bluffs, and mature hardwood forests.

Natural Features

The park’s diverse habitats include:

• Floodplain Forest: Silver maple, cottonwood, and willow along the river bottoms
• Upland Hardwood Forest: Red oak, white oak, hickory, and basswood on slopes and ridges
• Restored Prairie: 20 acres of native grassland with big bluestem and wildflowers
• Wetlands: Supporting amphibians, waterfowl, and diverse plant life

Over 175 bird species have been documented at Oxbow Park, making it a premier birdwatching destination in southeastern Minnesota. The park’s elevation ranges from 950 feet in the river valley to over 1,150 feet on the ridge tops.

Zollman Zoo: Minnesota Wildlife Education

The Zollman Zoo, established in 1975, houses over 30 species of animals native to Minnesota. All animals are non-releasable due to permanent injuries or human imprinting. The zoo serves 20,000 visitors annually, including 5,000+ students in educational programs.

Additional residents include North American porcupine, striped skunk, raccoon, wild turkey, red-tailed hawk, barred owl, American kestrel, sandhill crane, and various turtle and snake species native to Minnesota.

Trail System & Hiking

Oxbow Park features 6.5 miles of maintained trails suitable for hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. All trails are marked with color-coded blazes and interpretive signage.

Additional Trails:

• Zumbro River Trail (1.2 miles): Easy riverside trail ideal for spring warbler watching
• Woodland Loop (1.0 mile): Moderate trail featuring spring wildflowers April-May
• Connecting Trails (0.5 miles): Links between main trails and facilities

Activities & Programs

Year-Round Activities

• Hiking on 6.5 miles of diverse trails
• Wildlife observation (175+ bird species recorded)
• Cross-country skiing on groomed trails (winter, 4+ inches snow required)
• Snowshoeing (rentals available at Nature Center)
• Photography opportunities throughout the park
• Picnicking at two reservable shelters
• Environmental education programs
• Fishing on the Zumbro River (Minnesota license required)
• Group camping May-October (reservation required)
• Canoeing/kayaking river access (no rentals)
• Geocaching throughout the park

Annual Events

• Maple Syrup Festival (March): Tree tapping demonstrations and pancake feed
• Spring Migration Celebration (May): Guided bird walks and banding demonstrations
• National Trails Day (June): Volunteer trail maintenance and guided hikes
• Autumn Fest (October): Fall activities, crafts, and color hikes
• Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe (January): Evening trails lit by luminaries (weather dependent)

Free public programs offered most Saturdays at 1:00 PM include animal feeding demonstrations, guided hikes, and nature activities.

Visitor Information

What to Bring

• Sturdy hiking footwear
• Water bottle (no fountains on trails)
• Insect repellent (May-October)
• Sunscreen and hat
• Binoculars for wildlife viewing
• Camera for photography
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Best Times to Visit

• Wildlife Viewing: Early morning and late afternoon
• Spring Wildflowers: Last week of April through mid-May
• Fall Colors: First or second week of October
• Bird Migration: May 10-25 for spring warblers
• Avoid Crowds: Weekdays or Sunday mornings

Conservation & Education

Oxbow Park serves as an outdoor classroom for conservation education and research:

• Prairie Restoration: 20-acre restoration with 75+ native species, maintained through prescribed burns
• Oak Savanna Management: Restoration of this rare habitat through selective thinning and fire
• Invasive Species Control: Ongoing removal of buckthorn and garlic mustard
• Stream Monitoring: Water quality assessment of the Zumbro River
• Citizen Science: Christmas Bird Count, breeding bird surveys, monarch tagging

Educational programs reach over 5,000 students annually with curriculum-based field trips, summer camps, scout programs, and homeschool classes aligned with Minnesota Academic Standards.

Contact Oxbow Park

Experience the natural beauty of Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo—Olmsted County’s premier nature destination.

Oxbow Park Nature Center
Phone: (507) 775-2451
Email: parks@co.olmsted.mn.us
Website: www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks
Address: 5731 County Road 105, Byron, MN 55920

Follow Olmsted County Parks on social media for updates on programs, trail conditions, and wildlife sightings.