Oxbow Park Nature Center

The Nature Center is open to the public daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

Located at 5731 County Road 105 NW Byron MN 55920

Please no pets in the Zollman Zoo or buildings, this includes comfort and/or emotional support animals. Service animals that are trained for a specific task are welcome but may be asked to leave if they are misbehaving.

Olmsted County has built a brand-new nature center and entryway for Zollman Zoo! Our new facility has the space and capabilities to deliver the right programming needs to the community.

The nature center offers expanded educational and recreational programs and activities. School groups participate in structured environmental education programs during each season of the year, covering not only animal life, but natural history, outdoor recreation skills, and ecology. The building includes class areas, exhibits of some of the more common animals, birds, and reptiles of the region, and displays and artifacts associated with our natural world. The expanded experiences allow groups and individuals more ways to enjoy the natural world.

Activity Backpacks at Oxbow Park Nature Center

Oxbow Park has three different themed activity backpacks that are available for FREE use while at the park! Choose from an Audubon Birding Backpack, Project Get Outdoors summer or winter backpack. Backpacks can be checked out at the Front Desk of the Nature Center from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Audubon Birding Backpack sponsored by the Zumbro Valley Audubon Society

-Binoculars and harness

-Birds of Minnesota Field Guide and quick reference fold-out

-Checklist of Minnesota Birds

-Information about Zumbro Valley Audubon Society

Below is an interactive story map showing the progress and donations that helped fund the new nature center.