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Quarry Hill Nature Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,502 Google reviews · Running trail in Rochester, Minnesota · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Quarry Hill Nature Center'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.
Large park offering hiking trails, a man-made cave & a nature center with classes & live animals.
What runners say about Quarry Hill Nature Center
“The bathrooms were clean, the trails well marked, and the nature abundant.”
“You know this place is picturesque when you're taking a walk 5pm on a Sunday and you see 12 different photographers with their clients out there.”
This place is huge and a lot of fun! They have great trails in the nature for hiking and/or biking. There’s a cave, river, and you can see different biospheres depending on where you are in the park.
This place holds a special place in my heart, as my children spent so much time here when younger. This is one the best oasis’s in Rochester, especially for guests visiting the area looking for fresh air & a nice hike. There is a cemetery, cave, old quarry ( the best), tadpoles in the pond, butterflies & bees habitats.
We adore Quarry Hill! Whether you are adults going for a hike, or kids looking to visit the nature center; whether you come with a school group and a structured program, or a toddler and preschooler looking for things to do on a gray or cold day: This place has something for you!
This nature center has beautiful exhibits and a lot of nice, quieter spaces set aside from each other. We hiked up the hills on either side, taking in the quarry ruins (complete with a fox on our path) as well as the charming and bloom-filled Oak Savannah restoration area.
Trail conditions & character
“Outside, there are miles and miles of paths, whether paved, wood chips, or naturally worn in the grass and dirt.”
“We hiked up the hills on either side, taking in the quarry ruins (complete with a fox on our path) as well as the charming and bloom-filled Oak Savannah restoration area.”
“You know this place is picturesque when you're taking a walk 5pm on a Sunday and you see 12 different photographers with their clients out there.”
“Outside, there are miles and miles of paths, whether paved, wood chips, or naturally worn in the grass and dirt.”
“There were so many families with their children and dogs.”
Plan your run at Quarry Hill Nature Center
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- 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.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteqhnc.org
- Phone(507) 328-3950
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–4 PM |
| Sunday | 12–4 PM |
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