Parking lot closed during construction

The official park entrance trail at Westwood Hills Nature Center will be closed June 10 - 14 due to construction activities. There are alternative access points located at gate 7 and gate 8, located on Virginia Avenue and Westwood Hills Drive. View the alternate entrances map for additional details.

Visit the new interpretive center webpage to learn more about construction of the new nature center.

Westwood Hills Nature Center

Westwood Hills Nature Center is a 160-acre natural area featuring marsh, woods and restored prairie. The preserve is beautiful throughout the seasons and provides homes for many animals, including deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls.

Create your own story by journeying through the preserve and experiencing a rare peek at nature in the city. Take a look at what you'll see at Westwood Hills Nature Center! 

Admission and parking 

Parking and admission are free.

Trail map

Westwood Hills Nature Center trail map

Programs and activities

Westwood naturalists conduct year-round programs and activities to increase visitor understanding and appreciation of our natural world. Learn more about the current programs, camps and activities offered through the center.

Online program registration is available.

Hours 

Nature center trails and the playground are open every day from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

The Interpretive Center building is open year-round during the following times, except for holidays. 

• Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.

The Interpretive Center will be closed on the following dates in 2018: Sept. 1 - 3.

Prohibited activities

In order to maintain Westwood's natural habitats, the following are not allowed:

• Dogs and other pets
• Picking or collecting any plant or animal, including wildflowers
• Feeding wildlife
• Alcoholic beverages
• Bicycle riding on trails
• Releasing/relocating any wild animal

Natural resources management plan

In December 2017, the city and its partners finalized its natural resources management plan for Westwood Hills Nature Center (WHNC). The multi-year plan aims to identify opportunities for restoring and managing the habitats/ecosystems at WHNC.

Currently, the city is in the middle of removing buckthorn and low-grade trees – Phase III of the plan – to help manage invasive species at WHNC. Learn more about the removal efforts and plan.

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Contact

8300 W. Franklin Ave.
St. Louis Park, MN 55426
952.924.2544