A variety of landscapes and experiences await you at Belwin.
Each area of Belwin showcases a different aspect of the Valley Creek Watershed, and is managed for different uses. Some are always free and open, while others are used for educational purposes or special event programming. Read on to learn more about each of them.
Stagecoach Prairie
Hit the trails
Featuring gently rolling hills dominated by native tallgrass prairie, this 280-acre area contains five miles of family-friendly trails of easy to moderate difficulty. Always free and open from dawn to dusk 365 days per year, the trails can be accessed from two different trailheads. During the winter, Stagecoach Prairie’s trails are not groomed, but are a prime spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
For more public hiking, see also Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields and the Education Center.
Always free and open.
825 Stagecoach Trail, Afton, MN
Stagecoach Prairie’s trails may be accessed via two free parking areas:
Stagecoach Trail parking
825 Stagecoach Trail, Afton, MN
This is the main parking area, located directly east of Stagecoach Trail one mile south of I-94. This trailhead leads directly into a large expanse of tallgrass prairie. A portable toilet is available here from May to September.
11th Street parking
11th Street South, Afton, MN
This lot is located .3 miles south of the Stagecoach Trail lot. This trailhead takes you down a brief stretch of wooded trails before joining a loop around Sauer’s Prairie.
Trail Maps
Stagecoach Prairie Hours & Guidelines
- Open daily from dawn to dusk
- Dogs allowed; help protect the health of your pet and native wildlife by staying on trails and keeping your dog on leash
- Portable restroom available May through September
- See General Guidelines for more information
Bison Observation Platform
Make a bison sighting
Every year, between May and October, a herd of bison lives on our restored bison prairie. Park at our viewing area and climb the tower to get a glimpse at these beautiful creatures. Bring your binoculars – they roam on 130 acres and are masters at blending into the prairie flora. Better yet, support Belwin with a donation in any amount and you can take a ride on the Bison Buggy right into the field, every third Saturday of the month throughout the summer.
Free and open; seasonal hours.
15551 Division Street, Afton, MN
Bison Observation Platform & Parking
15551 Division St., Afton, MN
This free parking area is located east of Stagecoach Trail just south of I-94. There are no restrooms available at this time.
The Bison Observation Platform parking lot is also the start of the trail system at Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields.
Bison Observation Platform Hours & Guidelines
- Open daily from dawn to dusk (seasonal)
- No restrooms are currently available
- The low bison platform is fully accessible
- Please stay in the designated viewing areas to observe the bison. While the fence around the parking area is not electric, the rest of the prairie is surrounded by wildlife-friendly electric fencing. Please do not touch the fence.
- See General Guidelines for more information
Bison bring the prairie to life
At Belwin Conservancy, American bison (Bison bison) play an important role in prairie restoration. In 2008, Belwin teamed up with NorthStar Bison to bring a herd of juvenile males to one of our tallgrass prairie restorations. At the time, we were struggling to achieve the results we wanted and were willing to try something novel and untested, like bison.
After one season of the herd foraging out unwanted plants, spreading seeds, and working the land with their hooves, the results were clear: bison had improved the prairie.
“I can’t even describe how incorporating bison have enhanced the landscape here,” says Operations Director Justin Sykora. “The balance and abundance of insects, wildlife, wildflowers and grasses here is second to none in the country. Simultaneously, our management energy and costs have plummeted. All thanks to the bison.”
Bison Buggy Tours
On select Saturdays throughout the summer, Belwin’s donors are invited to cruise across the prairie in Belwin’s Bison Buggy. Custom built by Belwin’s land staff back in 2010, the Buggy seats 8 adults and offers guests an up-close view of the herd. Rides usually last about 20 minutes and are updated on our events page.
Private Buggy Rides
Donors who make a $500 or greater gift to Belwin will be invited to schedule a private Bison Buggy tour with a group of 8-10 people. Guests are encouraged to make the outing even more festive by bringing their own snacks and drinks to enjoy on the ride. These private buggy tours last 1-3 hours and must be arranged in advance. Weekday, evening, and weekend hours are available.
Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields
Fun & games
Belwin’s Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields see 150,000 visits from athletes and spectators each year. The site is also home to a solar array that generates enough annual electricity to power three homes for a year! The fields are surrounded by 2.5 miles of easy prairie trails that connect to our bison observation tower and also contain a labyrinth. Dogs are welcome on these trails too, as long as they’re on a leash!
Trails always free and open.
15601 Hudson Road N., Lakeland, MN
Athletic Fields
15601 Hudson Road N., Lakeland, MN
The entrance to the athletic fields is located just south of I-94 on the frontage road between Stagecoach Trail and St. Croix Trail.
Public Trails
15551 Division Street, Afton, MN
Belwin’s trails are open from dawn to dusk. The Athletic Field hours are generally more limited. To avoid being locked in the athletic field parking lots, we recommend hikers park at the Bison Observation Platform on Division Street and enter the trails via the trailhead directly across from the parking lot.
Trail Maps
Athletic Fields: Hours & Guidelines
- Seasonal hours
- Dogs are not allowed on the fields
Public Trails: Hours & Guidelines
- Open daily from dawn to dusk
- Dogs allowed; help protect the health of your pet and native wildlife by staying on trails and keeping your dog on leash
- See General Guidelines for more information
Our partners
St. Croix Soccer Club
Founded in 1984, St. Croix Soccer Club (SCSC) is a regional power and destination club for elite players across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. SCSC manages the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields at Belwin Conservancy, including the scheduling. All questions regarding the fields should be directed to:
Donna Luttinen, SCSC Administrator
651-300-2114 | admin@stcroixsoccer.org
St. Croix Valley Athletic Association (SCVAA)
The SCVAA, founded in 1967, is a volunteer organization that provides youth athletic programs for children grades K-12. If you are interested in participating in one of their programs, please review the information on the SCVAA website.
Education Center
Take lessons from the land
The Education Center property hosts educational programs through Belwin Outdoor Science, our longstanding educational partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools and other area districts. This land is closed to the public except for special events and open hiking every third Saturday of the month.
The land is comprised of 300 acres of rolling woodlands, prairie and wetlands, and features 4 miles of hiking trails, two educational facilities, and Belwin Conservancy’s main office. It is also home to the Joseph J. Casby Observatory.
Open for special events; hiking on select Saturdays.
1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton, MN
1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton, MN
Belwin’s Education Center, Wetlands Special Education Classroom, and Main Office all share the same address. The Joseph J. Casby Observatory is also located here. Refer to the map below for details on each location.
Trail Maps
Education Center hours & guidelines
- Education Center trails and building are open every third Saturday 9 am to 3 pm September through May. (Summer Hours: open every Saturday Memorial Day through Labor Day.) Otherwise closed to the public.
- Dogs are not allowed on Education Center trails.
- Restrooms available.
- See General Guidelines for more information
Creative Center
Walk back in time
Since 2003, Belwin has been working to clear invasive plants and restore biodiversity to this 246-acre property. Today, the land looks much like it would have in the mid 1800’s. Home to a sprawling oak savanna, one of our region’s most threatened native ecosystems, the parcel contains rolling hills, expansive vistas, and wetlands.
In the coming years, we hope to share this area with more visitors through our growing Arts, Culture, and Ecology program, simultaneously showcasing and protecting the health of the restored ecosystems here.
Open by invite only.
795 Indian Trail S., Afton, MN
795 Indian Trail S., Afton, MN
The Creative Center buildings and trailhead are located in a residential area on Indian Trail between Hudson Road and Stagecoach Trail, just south of I-94.
Trail Maps
Hiking at the Creative Center is currently by invite only.
Creative Center Hours & Guidelines
- Open for select events only. Otherwise closed to the public.
- Dogs are not allowed.
- Restrooms and facilities available.
- See General Guidelines for more information.
In future years, we hope to share this area with more visitors through our growing Arts, Culture, and Ecology program, simultaneously showcasing and protecting the health of the restored ecosystems here. With potential to be a retreat for artists, the area offers ample inspiration from the surrounding environment – a vision in keeping with the land’s history.
Many Afton residents know this property for its previous owner, Father George Metcalf, an Episcopal priest, and his wife Mary. Metcalf served as General Patton’s personal chaplain during WWII, and with Mary, built a residence with two small guest cottages here in 1959.
For years, the buildings and the land here served as a spiritual retreat, and Metcalf’s radio ministry was broadcast around the world from towers on the sloping hillside. If you’re curious to know more, a 2013 article from Belwin’s newsletter, The Meadowlark, offers more detail about the history of the property and its conservation.
Joseph J. Casby Observatory
Go stargazing
Have you ever looked through a telescope, seen the shadow of a crater on the surface of the moon with your own eyes, or watched a nebula thousands of light years away? Guided by members of the Minnesota Astronomical Society, you can at Belwin!
The Joseph J. Casby Observatory offers a southern view of Belwin’s dark skies and permanently houses an eight foot long 10″ TMB Apochromatic Refracting Telescope, one of the finest in the state.
Open for special events only.
1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton, MN
1553 Stagecoach Trail S., Afton, MN
Belwin’s Education Center, Wetlands Special Education Classroom, and Main Office all share the same address. The Joseph J. Casby Observatory is also located here, on the southwest side of the Education Center building.
Casby Observatory Hours & Guidelines
Several times per year, Belwin holds events in partnership with the Minnesota Astronomical Society for moon viewing, galaxy sightings, and planetary observations. Watch our events page or sign up for our email list to learn more.
Minnesota Astronomical Society
In 2010, the Minnesota Astronomical Society (MAS) opened the doors—and the dome—to the Joseph J. Casby Observatory at Belwin Conservancy’s Education Center. Since its opening, MAS members have guided thousands of people in observing our universe and deepening their connection with our natural world through astronomy.
Once a month, MAS also hosts Beginner Astronomy Observing Sessions at Belwin’s Metcalf Field. Visit their website to learn more.
General guidelines for visiting Belwin
As you enjoy your time here, please remember that we are sharing this special place with other creatures who call it home. We encourage everyone to tread lightly and subscribe to the principles of Leave No Trace.
Restrooms and usage vary for each site. Refer to each specific area for more information.
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
Rules
- Follow posted signs.
- Access and rules may change due to ongoing restoration activities.
- Access is only allowed from designated entrances.
- Stay on designated trails and respect private property.
- Pack out whatever you pack in.
- Dogs on leash are only permitted at Stagecoach Prairie Natural Area and the trails at the Lucy Winton Bell Athletic Fields (not on the fields themselves). Belwin has no off-leash areas for dogs.
Belwin Conservancy celebrates diversity. We value an inclusive and equitable workplace for our staff, volunteers and visitors, and partner with those who share these values. Belwin is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We do not and will not tolerate harassment and racial profiling at Belwin Conservancy.
The following are not allowed at Belwin:
Bikes, Camping, Drones, Fires, Hammocks, Horses, Hunting, Littering, Motorized Vehicles, Picking Flowers, Removal of Vegetation, Weapons
Questions?
info@belwin.org or (651) 436-5189
