Oak Savanna Learning Center

The Oak Savanna Learning Center is a gathering place for nature education, refuge events and programs, school field trips and conservation-related meetings. Visitors can browse the Eagle's Nest Nature Store, operated by the Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, and explore 1.6 miles of accessible trails through oak savanna, prairie and wetland habitats. The trail system is open year-round and includes the Beaver Lodge, Black Bear, Old School House, and Overlook loops and is available for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and mobility device use.

Hours

The Oak Savanna Learning Center is open during scheduled refuge programs and events, during the Eagle's Nest Nature Store hours and by reservation for approved groups. 

The facility is available for reservations Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm.

The Eagle's Nest Nature Store is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am - 2 pm and is closed January through March.

Amenities

• Parking lot
• Indoor and outdoor restrooms
• Indoor and outdoor water fountains
• The Eagle's Nest Nature Store, see hours above
• Bike rack

Reserving the Oak Savanna Learning Center

Eligible groups, including but not limited to, nonprofits focused on education or conservation, local, county, Tribal or state agencies, arts or hobby groups focused on wildlife-dependent recreation (e.g., photography, birding) and businesses with conservation-related goals, may request to use the Oak Savanna Learning Center. For more facility amenity information or reservation requests, contact sherburne@fws.gov.

Driving Directions

From Minneapolis and St. Paul

• Take Interstate 94 west to the Highway 101 exit in Rogers
• Follow Highway 101 north until it becomes Highway 169
• Continue north on Highway 169 through Elk River and Zimmerman to the County Road 9 exit, about four miles north of Zimmerman
• Take County Road 9 exit and turn left to drive west for about five and a half miles until you reach the Oak Savanna Learning Center on the left
• Turn left into the Oak Savanna Learning Center driveway and parking lot

From St. Cloud

• Take Highway 23 east through St. Cloud to Highway 95
• Follow Highway 95 east for 15 miles to Mille Lacs County Road 7, marked with a large brown sign for the refuge
• Turn right to go south on Mille Lacs County Road 7, which becomes Sherburne County Road 5, and drive for seven miles
• Turn left to go east on County Road 9 and continue for about two miles until you reach the Oak Savanna Learning Center on the right
• Turn right into the Oak Savanna Learning Center driveway and parking lot

From Big Lake and Monticello

• From Highway 10 in Big Lake, take Sherburne County Road 5 north approximately twelve miles
• Turn right to go east on County Road 9 and continue for about two miles until you reach the Oak Savanna Learning Center on the right
• Turn right into the Oak Savanna Learning Center driveway and parking lot

From Zimmerman and Princeton

• Follow Highway 169 north (Zimmerman) or south (Princeton) to County Road 9 exit
• Turn onto County Road 9 (left from Zimmerman, right from Princeton) and drive west for about five and a half miles until you reach the Oak Savanna Learning Center on the left
• Turn left into the Oak Savanna Learning Center driveway and parking lot