As a Le Sueur County park, the trails are open from sunrise until 10 p.m. The Education Building, which houses the office and staff, is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. As staff is occasionally preoccupied with education buildings or resource management work in the park, please inform us beforehand if you need to meet with a staff member during your visit.
Feel free to bring your furry dog friend with you to enjoy the exciting trail system, but please keep them on a leash and pick up their waste. We have a blue dumpster near the first parking lot to dispose of filled dog bags. No dogs (with the exception of service animals) are allowed in our buildings.
The Ney Nature Center uses car counters and people counters to gather data about park and trail use. This data helps us to better understand and manage the Ney Nature Center Park and can also be used when applying for grants and other funding. To learn more about the vehicle and trail counters we use click here.
Directions to the Ney Nature Center
PLEASE NOTE: FLOODING OR CONSTRUCTION MAY IMPACT YOUR ROUTE TO NEY. VISIT 511mn.org TO SEE CURRENT CLOSURES; MAPS ON GOOGLE & APPLE ARE NOT ALWAYS UPDATED.
Our address:
28238 Nature Center Lane
Henderson, MN 56044
From the Twin Cities
Travel south on Highway 169. Take the Highway 19 exit. Turn right (west) and travel towards Henderson. Just before the hill, turn left onto Nature Center Lane.
From Mankato
Travel north on Highway 169. Take the Highway 19 exit. At the stop sign turn right (west) and travel towards Henderson. Just before the hill, turn left onto Nature Center Lane.
From Henderson
Travel east on Highway 19. Just after the hill, turn right onto Nature Center Lane.
Le Sueur County
Le Sueur County owns the Ney Nature Center Park and manages the property jointly with the Ney Nature Center (the nonprofit) according to the will of Ruby Ney. The Le Sueur County Parks department assists with road, trail, building maintenance, and site development. Visit the Le Sueur County Parks website by clicking here.
Ney Nature Center Park Rules
The majority of the Ney Nature Center property is a preserve with public access only for guided educational programs, science studies, and low-impact activities: hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing, sightseeing, and cross-country skiing. The policy of limited access is in keeping with the Ney family’s vision and with the long-term management of natural areas that are designated as preserves or sanctuaries.
Park Rules:
- The Ney Nature Center hours are from sunrise until 10pm. Overnight stays are only permitted with the written permission of the Executive Director.
- The use of alcohol or tobacco is only permitted in designated areas. Glass bottles and kegs are not permitted.
- No hunting or discharge of any weapons is permitted.
- Pets must be on leashes at the park, and owners must clean up after them. For the safety and comfort of all our guests, please do not have pets inside buildings or at education programs. This includes Emotional Support, Comfort, and Therapy Animals. There is an exception for Guide Dogs, Signal Dogs, and Service Animals.
- No horses are allowed at the Ney Nature Center.
- Bicycles are only allowed on the Mountain Bike Trail
- Visitors should park in designated parking lots only; vehicles are allowed on the trails only for maintenance purposes. Some exceptions may be made for individuals with physical disabilities. Call the NNC office for permission.
- Picnics and fires are only allowed in established picnic areas and fire rings. Collecting firewood is not permitted.
- Professional and Portrait Photography is not allowed within the park without a permit. More information on obtaining a permit can be found here.
