HomeMinnesotaVictoria › Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve

Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 449 Google reviews · Running trail in Victoria, Minnesota · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedScenicDog-friendlyRestroomsWaterTrailhead parking

Nature center featuring trails, plus raptors, birds and other wildlife.

What runners say about Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (449 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Nice paved bike trail and scenic hiking trails with a mix of wooded and prairie land.”

Very good place to visit during the weekend. A lot of trails and opportunities to learn about Minnesota wildlife. If you visit in summer bring a very good insect repellent: bugs can be very aggressive!

★★★★★ — Alex , Jul 2019

This is one of the coolest parks to hike. They have so many different trails from easy to moderate and you can go for a mile to 6 mi The extra bonuses they have a bird sanctuary behind the nature center. So you can go see the owl and the hawk both have been here for a while.

★★★★★ — Kerri , Dec 2023

First time here and it was a really nice walk. You have a few trail options. And a lot of views. A lot of the trails are unpaved but we'll labeled as your going through and not muddy. And the water views and wet lands and fields are really good! Lots of birds and very peaceful.

★★★★★ — Shane , Jun 2025

We finally have been back after the road construction that was underway from Hwy 5 in. Whew! I'm glad that's wrapping up. We took the 5 mile paved loop starting out from the Nature Center. It was plowed!! That made it an even more amazing walk and the weather cooperated as well.

★★★★★ — Allen , Feb 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 449 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Nice paved bike trail and scenic hiking trails with a mix of wooded and prairie land.”

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🚻 Restrooms 6 mentions

“The building has information about the park and the different birds you could see with a public restroom.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 4 mentions

“The rain gardens at the edge of the parking lot is really not a good substitute for the serenity of a garden.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 2 mentions

“Nice paved bike trail and scenic hiking trails with a mix of wooded and prairie land.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

“A lot of the trails are unpaved but we'll labeled as your going through and not muddy.”

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🚰 Water fountains

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🐕 Dog-friendly

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Plan your run at Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitethreeriversparks.org
  • Phone(763) 694-7650
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–10 PM
Thursday 5 AM–10 PM
Friday 5 AM–10 PM
Saturday 5 AM–10 PM
Sunday 5 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Lowry Nature Center in Carver Park Reserve

7025 Nature Center Dr, Victoria, MN 55386

Get directions

Running trails near Victoria

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Carver Park Reserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 1,034 reviews

Victoria, MN

45 miMixedScenicDog-friendly

Large tract featuring a campground, nature center & historic farm site, plus bird habitats & trails.

under a mile away

Lake Minnetonka Regional Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 346 reviews

Minnetrista, MN

3.5 miPavedLitScenic

Scenic lake-shore area with a swimming pond, fishing pier & playground, plus hiking & biking trails.

1.0 miles away

1.8 miles away

Monarch Singletrack - Springview Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 62 reviews

Waconia, MN

14 miNatural surfaceDog-friendly

Kid-friendly park offering picnic tables and a public restroom, plus trails for biking and hiking.

1.8 miles away

Wassermann Lake Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Victoria, MN

BoardwalkDog-friendly

3.1 miles away

Lake Waconia Regional Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 413 reviews

Waconia, MN

Scenic

Picnicking, grilling, and other recreational activities are available at this beach park.

4.3 miles away

All running trails in Victoria, MN →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.