Prairie Bend Park
Rate this placeNearby: Scenic Heights Park Hiawatha Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Prairie Bend Park is a 192-acre park located in the state of Minnesota that offers visitors a chance to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, bird-watching and fishing.
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Summary
The park features a scenic natural landscape of tallgrass prairie, wetlands and oak savannas which are home to a diverse array of wildlife including birds and mammals. There are several specific points of interest to see including the Indian Mounds, a historic site that features a burial mound from an ancient Native American culture, and the River Overlook which provides stunning views of the Minnesota River.
One of the main reasons to visit Prairie Bend Park is to experience the park's rich natural heritage which includes a unique mix of prairie and wetland ecosystems. The park is also known for its excellent bird-watching opportunities, with over 200 bird species recorded within the park's boundaries. Additionally, there are several fishing opportunities available in the park's various ponds and lakes.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once the site of a historic river crossing where Native Americans and early settlers used to cross the Minnesota River. The park also features a restored prairie habitat which is home to several rare plant species such as the Prairie Gentian and the Showy Tick Trefoil.
The best time of year to visit Prairie Bend Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park's wildflowers and grasses are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers visitors a chance to experience the changing seasons in Minnesota.
Overall, Prairie Bend Park is an excellent destination for nature lovers looking to explore the great outdoors and experience Minnesota's rich natural heritage.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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