Discovery Sites
How to get there: Located on the east side of the Minnesota River. From St. Peter, cross the Highway 22 bridge, turn south onto County Road 21 to the small town of Kasota. Take Highway 21 south of Kasota for one mile to 468th Street. Turn west on 468th Street and drive for 1.5 miles. Park on pullout on the east side of the road.
Services at this site: Parking, hiking
Located on a rock terrace 70 feet above the Minnesota River Valley, the Kasota Prairie, meaning “cleared-off plac”, is named for its view. This area near the bluffs of the Minnesota River Valley was set aside in 1984 as a preserved prairie ecosystem. At that time it had only small remnants of original prairie, and through restoration, this area now has the largest remaining mesic/tallgrass prairies of the region.
Once covering one-third of Minnesota, only tiny remnants of prairie prior to 1850 remain at the Kasota Prairie Area SNA. 42-acres of the SNA changed by grazing have been returned to their natural state through careful management practices. Along with other parcels, this area is the largest remaining mesic/tallgrass prairies of the region.
The Glacial River Warren originally carved the Minnesota River valley, causing the river to flood this terrace that is now the Kasota Prairie Area. Ancient limestone outcroppings, exposed by the Glacial River Warren, are still visible in the area.
In the conservation area today, prairie, wet meadow, oak woodland and lowland hardwood plant communities thrive in the thin soils. The ecosystem is managed by periodic burning. A variety of shrubby patches make ideal nesting and perching sites for birds of the open country.
The Scientific and Natural Areas are open to the public year around for nature observation and education. Because of the fragile natural environment, the SNA is not open to intensive recreational activities.
Things to Do: Discovery Site, Outdoor Activities
