Nature Center hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily in season. After October 14, the Nature Center is closed most days. Throughout the winter, it may be open some weekends, and even some weekdays for limited hours. If you’re planning a visit in which attending a nature program or visiting the Nature Center is crucial, please call ahead to find out the latest program schedule and to confirm that the Nature Center will be open that day.

If you do get to visit the Nature Center in the off season, be sure and ask the uniformed naturalist "where is that Luke Woodswalker?" Wonder what he does in the winter anyway?

A three-dimensional landform model of the park will bring the park terrain into sight from a bird’s-eye view. A series of panoramas make clear the formation of the valley, once 1,000 feet deep, now half-filled with rock and sediment and topped by the 50-foot-deep Devil’s Lake.

Hands-on items include various bones, furs, shells, and rocks.

Downstairs are many historic photographs dating from the late 1800s well into the 20th century. Children will enjoy the kid’s exploration room with quizzes, activities, and mystery boxes of hidden touchy-feely items!

During the summer, nature programs are scheduled most days at 9:30 a.m. in the Visitor Center. Program themes include snakes, skulls, worms, stories, beavers, rocks, spiders, Indian mounds, beetles, bird watching, bats, plants, geology. Most programs are appropriate for families and all ages. Evening Programs are presented each Saturday night in the Northern Lights Amphitheater. Call ahead for topics and times.

Call the park for more information about these and other events. School groups or individuals wishing to schedule a program or a nature center visit may contact the park naturalist, (608) 356-8301 Ext. 3115, for details and hours.