Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

Nolde Forest encompasses more than 665 acres of deciduous woodlands and coniferous plantations. A network of trails makes the center’s streams, ponds, and diverse habitats accessible to both students and visitors.

Teaching stations offer places for students to work and benches for those who wish to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds associated with the natural world.

ADA accessible trails are located by the mansion and sawmill.

The Nolde Mansion houses offices for the center staff. A garden featuring native wildflowers is adjacent to the mansion.

The C.H. McConnell Environmental Education Hall near the mansion is the indoor site for year-round programming.

Hiking at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

10 miles of trails

The trails of Nolde Forest wander throughout the park under tall trees and near creeks. Some trails are footpaths and others are remnants of gravel roads used by original owners of the mansion.

This activity or structure is ADA accessible. A paved trail by the mansion and another in the Sawmill area are accessible for people with disabilities.
Only trails with trail sign posts are maintained.

Please stay on trails to protect the life that borders the paths
Bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited on any trails or roads, except the paved entrance road to the center
Enjoy plants and animals in their natural setting
Picking, digging, and collecting plants and animals is prohibited
All wildlife should be left undisturbed
Listed below are the main trails. Numerous connectors join all of the trails into many loops.

Boulevard Trail
2.3 miles

This old fire road provides easy walking under hardwood trees in a loop in the middle of the center. The trail begins and ends at the mansion.

Kissinger Road
0.8 mile

This old fire road provides easy walking through a conifer plantation planted for Jacob Nolde.

Kohout Trail
0.3 mile

This short trail in the northern corner of the park has a few steep inclines. In the spring it is a good trail to see wildflowers.

Middle Road
0.6 mile

This old fire road provides easy walking through a conifer plantation planted for Jacob Nolde.

Watershed Trail
1.1 miles

This hiking trail follows the scenic creek bottom along Punches Run. The trail begins and ends at the mansion.

Dog Walking
Pets are permitted on hiking trails.

All pets must be controlled and attended at all times and on a leash or otherwise safely restrained.

Be considerate when walking your dog and carry a container to clean up after your pet.

Please be considerate of the many organized school groups that frequent the park.

Picnicking at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

A small picnic area is by the sawmill and another is near the mansion.

Wildlife Watching at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

The forests of Nolde Forest are home to many deep forest birds.

Fishing at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

Angelica Creek supports a native trout population.

Cross-country Skiing at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

With adequate snow cover the trails of the center can be snowshoed and cross-country skied.