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What's New
Tamarack Nature Center Nature Play Area and Discovery Garden now Open! Thank you to the 1,000+ supporters who came out for our Grand Opening Weekend.
If you haven’t been here yet, check us out and see our wonderful area of special interest including:
- Logs & Hollows nature play area
- Water Ways play stream
- Tamarack Overlook
- Children's Orchard
- Garden House featuring unique solar-powered petals
Nature Play Hours
10 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Noon - 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Wrist Bands Required for Nature Play Area and available from the Front Desk at the Main Building.
Admission Fee
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has waived admission fees for 2011. Donations are gladly accepted and support the programming and operation for the Nature Play Area and Children's Garden.
Group Policy: Organized groups over 10 persons coming to Tamarack's Nature Play Area are required to give advance notification and obtain a special use permit by calling 651-407-5350. A large group special use permit fee of $50.00 will be charged for organized groups over 10 persons (excluding cross-country running groups which are limited to under 10 individuals).
Cross Country Running Policy: Cross country running meets and large scale practices (over 10 persons) are prohibited at TNC. A single cross country running group of 10 people or less will be allowed on TNC campus on weekdays before 9 a.m. or after 3 p.m. on a first come first serve basis. Cross country running groups are expected to check in and out at the TNC reception desk. In the event another group is currently on campus the incoming group is required to wait until the first group has completed their run.
Destination For Discovery - Transforming a Traditional Nature Center
Tamarack Nature Center (TNC) has embarked on a multi-year project entitled "Destination for Discovery." The enhanced TNC will provide opportunities for visitors to develop personal relationships with nature through a variety of means. Guided by this master plan and a commitment to responding to our community's needs, the project redefines what it means to be a regional nature center and redesigns facilities, trails, programs and exhibits, to reflect that definition. The master plan outlines a five-year program to transform TNC into a Destination for Discovery.
Destination for Discovery Executive Summary
Destination for Discovery Project Purpose, Outcomes and Process
Destination for Discovery Master Plan
Near-by Nature
Tamarack Nature Center is a 320-acre park preserve located within Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes Regional Park in White Bear Township, MN, about 20 minutes from downtown St. Paul.
- Over four miles of woodchipped paths, paved trails and boardwalks provide year-round access to a diverse, natural community that includes red fox, deer, woodcock and other wildlife, as well as ever-changing seasonal foliage.
- A special dock serves as a scenic overlook onto Tamarack Lake, habitat for heron, turtle, mink and muskrat. The half-mile paved trail circling the restored prairie provides access to the George Mack observation deck overlooking Teal Pond.
General Information Brochure
5287 Otter Lake Road (TNC directional map) (TNC Facility Map)
White Bear Township, Minnesota 55110
(651) 407-5350
(651) 407-5354 (fax)
tamarack@co.ramsey.mn.us
Human Habitat
Tamarack Nature Center’s main building serves as a trailhead and provides recreational and educational opportunities for visitors. Spaces available at the center include:
- Lobby/meeting space complete with wood-burning fireplace
- Two general-use classrooms
- An early childhood exhibit area and classroom
- Live animal exhibits
- Cross-country ski rental
- Restrooms
Directions and Hours
Visit any Time of Year
Tamarack is conveniently located about 20 minutes from Downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. From Downtown St. Paul, take I-35E North to Highway 96, go east on Highway 96 to Otter Lake Road, go north. Tamarack is located approximately 2½ miles on the left-hand side at 5287 Otter Lake Road (see TNC directional map above).
Building Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday: 12:00 noon - 5:00pm
The building is closed on some government holidays.
Trail Hours:
Daily from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
Pets:
Sorry no pets are allowed on nature center trails. You can visit the off leash dog area just north of Tamarack, near the Otter Lake boat launch.
