River Bend Nature Center

River Bend Nature Center in Faribault, Minnesota, is a nonprofit day-use preserve established in the late 1970s for education and conservation. Covering 743 acres along the Straight River, it includes wetlands, forests, and more than 55 acres of restored and original prairie, giving it both recreational and ecological value. Its habitats support notable plants including the endangered dwarf trout lily. About 10 miles of formal trails accommodate walking and seasonal activities, while the Interpretive Center, Trailside Center, exhibits, and nature library support year-round learning. Education is central to its mission, with programs for adults, children, schools, and home-schooled students across Rice County.

Faribault, Minnesota · United States