OUTDOORS Nature

See Minnesota nature in its full beauty in the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area Racoons, mink, muskrat, wood duck, white-tail deer, and beaver are some of the animals that benefit from the protection of the river valley habitats. This area is also ideal for bird-watching, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and snowmobiling.

www.dnr.state.mn.us • (651) 296-6157 www.mnzoo.org • (952) 431-9200 www.sandcreekadventures.com • (952) 492-5333 www.splwsa.org www.arboretum.umn.edu • (952) 443-1400

Bring your family to the Minnesota Zoo and discover more than 4,200 animals representing 500 species from five continents, in naturalistic settings. Some Amur tigers, Chinese takins, South African penguins, wolverines, and many other rare and endangered species Come out in the Spring and see the miracle of birth at the Wells Fargo Family Farm. See adorable chicks, piglets, lambs, calves, ducklings, goat kids, and bunnies.

Located just outside of Shakopee is Sand Creek Adventures Featuring ziplining and high and low ropes courses, Sand Creek Adventures is your ultimate outdoor adventure. Come in the spring and zipline over Sand Creek while witnessing the beauty of the entire landscape.

Cycling enthusiasts will love Shakopee for their venture. Shakopee is home to more than 80 miles of cycling trails, including the Minnesota Valley State Trail, which connects to off-road cycling areas. This trail system also connects to the entire Minneapolis/Saint Paul trail system for hours of cycling fun.

Launch your boat on one of Shakopee’s area lakes or rivers. Head to nearby Prior Lake or Lake Minnetonka for a day on the water or enjoy a day of fishing for catfish on the Minnesota River. Be amazed when the Shakopee/Prior Lake Shockwaves Water Ski Team does pyramids, barefooting, and many other crowd-pleasing stunts during a show on Quarry Lake.

Step into a world of quiet escape where nature shines in all its splendor winter, spring, summer, and fall. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska is the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, offering something for people of all ages.

See where your food comes from Wozupi Tribal Gardens, the SMSC’s organic farm, provides locally grown food for neighboring communities. All their fruits, vegetables, herbs, and eggs are certified organic. Discover their products, classes, recipes, and more. www.wozupi.com • (952) 233-9182 www.minnesotaharvest.net • (952) 492-2785

Fall is a beautiful time of year in Minnesota for so many different reasons. The leaves are changing, and the weather is mostly spectacular. Trips through the Minnesota River during the fall season will not disappoint. Apple farms are abundant throughout the Minnesota River Valley region, with many just minutes outside of Shakopee. Minnesota Harvest near Jordan offers over 25 different varieties of apples to pick during their harvest season. Because of their over three-decade breeding program, they also offer what are called “Toppers Apples”, which are only grown at Minnesota Harvest!

Another great apple picking option is the Apple House at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Arboretum offers nearly 20 varieties of apples ready for you to pick. Make sure to call ahead to see what kind of apples are ready for you.

The outdoor fun does not end in Shakopee once the snow flies. There are some amazing things for outdoor enthusiasts to do in the Minnesota Valley region during the winter season. Get your daily exercise while Nordic skiing through the woods or on a snowshoe trek in the bog at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Snowmobiling in Minnesota is a pastime for many. The entire Scott County area has a vast amount of snowmobile trails to take care of any snowmobile enthusiast. Enjoy the natural beauty of this region or take in all the great places to make a pit stop at one of the wonderful eating establishments in the Shakopee area. Speaking of snowmobiles, see the high-flying action of professional snocross at the Pirtek Snocross National at Canterbury Park. www.canterburypark.com/events/snocross

Bring your fatbike out and ride the area trails, including the Minnesota State Recreation Area of the fun trail system located at Cleary Lake Regional Park Skijoring & dog sledding at Cleary Lake Regional Park can cure some serious cabin fever. Skijoring is like dog sledding, except the person is on cross-country skis. www.threeriversparks.org/location/ cleary-lake-regional-park • (763) 694-7777

Enjoy a day in the beautiful Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area on the Minnesota Valley State Trail. www.dnr.state.mn.us state_trails/minnesota_valley/index.html

It may not seem like it to people outside of the state, but Minnesota is a golf mecca. There are thousands of courses scattered throughout the landscape, and Minnesota can boast about having the most active golfers per capita of any state in the country. The Shakopee area may stand alone when it comes to beautiful and challenging courses for the golf enthusiasts. Located in Shakopee, Stonebrooke Golf Club was created to give people a complete golf experience. This course has great elevation changes, mature trees, and a unique mix of holes. The one thing that makes Stonebrooke really stand out is the famous 8th hole, voted as one of the best holes in Minnesota.

www.stonebrooke.com • (952) 496-3171 www.golfthewilds.com

The Wilds Golf Club is set amongst a spectacular landscape of trees, lakes, and hills. The 7,025-yard course has wide fairways, multiple sets of trees, water in play on half the holes, and 70 strategically placed bunkers.

• (952) 445-3500 www.golfthemeadows.com

The Meadows at Mystic Lake is a nationally acclaimed public golf course, offering a unique experience to the golfer. This challenging but fun course landscape includes waterfalls, native plants, and statuary.

• (952) 233-5333 www.legendsgc.com

Legends Club is a stunning 18-hole championship course nestled in a wooded yet marshy area. Even though this is a public course, you get the feel of a private club experience with its amenities and quality.

• (952) 226-4777 www.ridgesatsandcreek.com

Located in nearby Jordan is Ridges at Sand Creek. What makes this course stand out is its setup. After the first few holes, you make your way down into an old river valley. In the valley is where you truly get to enjoy the nature, with creeks running through the many wooded areas located throughout the course.

• (952) 492-2644