Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo

Olmsted County

620 acres

Oxbow Park Trails Map

N44 4.958, W92 39.060

About 12.5 miles

No hunting

Province

Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province

Section

Paleozoic Plateau

Subsection(s)

Rochester Plateau

Land Type Association(s)

County of Olmsted

Oxbow Main Brochure 2016

Overview
Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo is a County of Olmsted park less than 20 minutes west of Rochester. The 620 acres of mostly woodland span both sides of a bend in the Zumbro River, South Branch, Middle Fork. It includes about 12½ miles of hiking trails. The trails pass through moist oak-hickory forest along the river, through drier oak forest along the crests and upper slopes of the river bluffs, and around a restored or recreated prairie carved out of the woods at the bluff top. Some of the trails are narrow footpaths through dense forest, some are two-track seldom used utility roads through more open woodlands, some are wide mowed paths skirting the prairie.

Oxbow Park contains two native plant communities. Three plants with conservation status in Minnesota are found here: handsome sedge, an endangered species; and rattlesnake master and white wild indigo, both special concern species. The Nature Center and Zollman Zoo are open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. They may not be open yet when you arrive early in the morning, and may be already closed when you finish your hike in the late afternoon.

Oxbow Co Park & Zoo, Olmstead County

The idea of a new park for Olmsted County was fostered by the Olmsted County Park Board and residents of the ark area. The initial 465 acres of land were purchased in 1967. Located in the Zumbro River Valley, the area offered ideal recreational opportunities. A large bend in the river, called an "oxbow" because of its resemblance to an ox yoke, gave the park its name. This "oxbow" has been preserved through bank stabilization and now surrounds the main picnic area.

During the years since 1967, the park has been transformed from farm fields into a beautifully preserved area. A zoo was established in 1969 with the donation of native Minnesota animals from John Gilbertson, the regional game warden at that time. This zoo is now an integral part of park activities. In 1974, an additional 107 acres north of the park were purchased, protecting the park from future development. This brought the total size of the park to 572 acres. A nature center, completed in December, 1981, is located near the zoo. This facility expands both programming potential and work capabilities at the park and offers additional exhibit areas for public use.

The uniqueness of Oxbow Park is found in the amount of public participation and support it has received since its founding. The dedication of park visitors to its well-being has made Oxbow a favorite spot for many in southeastern Minnesota.

—from Olmstead Co site

Park Entrance

Parking Lot and Federal Signal Modulator

Visitor Center

Zumbro River, South Branch, Middle Fork

Oak - Shagbark Hickory Woodland

Zumbro Trail

North Meadow Trail

Bluff Top Prairie

1st Bridge

The list below does not include birds and mammals seen only in the zoo or in animal pens. It does include a few plants seen only at the “Restored Prairie” demonstration plot next to the Visitor Center parking lot.

Four plant species with conservation status in Minnesota are found here:

Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas Plant List