Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is a municipal nature preserve on the north-eastern corner of Austin, Minnesota, comprising more than 500 acres (200 ha) of restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and meandering streams. Our list goes on with Spam Museum, 2 mi away. Weather is mildest over May to September, with 68–81°F highs.
A museum inside Austin
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 6°, with about 43" of snow a year. When to go ↓
You can stay in Austin
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is inside Austin, which has 8 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
May, June, July, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 68–81°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures and Wikipedia.
Picking a season
Every month near Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is set out below.
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is a municipal nature preserve on the north-eastern corner of Austin, Minnesota, comprising more than 500 acres (200 ha) of restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forest, wetlands and meandering streams. Purchased with municipal, state, and private donations, the nature center is administered by the Austin municipal government through the Parks and Recreation Department. Named in honor of Jay Catherwood Hormel, the son of Hormel Foods Corporation founder George A. Hormel. His private estate forms the original land of the park.
- Type
- Museum
A base for Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
The closest lodging is in Austin (8) and Albert Lea (14), and Rochester has the most rooms in the area (79).
Rochester
The most places to stay in the area, and a base for a longer trip.
124,292 people
33 mi northeast of Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
Compare 9 towns
| Town | From Jay C. Hormel Nature Center | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | in town | — | 8 7 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins | 26,689 | $164K | C+ |
| Albert Lea | 22 mi west | 30 min | 14 12 hotels · 2 motels | 18,217 | $158K | C |
| Marshall Township | 10 mi east | 15 min | 2 2 campgrounds | 322 | $344K | — |
| Hayward Township | 15 mi west | 25 min | 3 1 inn or B&B · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 337 | $218K | — |
| Moscow Township | 9 mi west | 15 min | 1 1 campground | 527 | $203K | — |
| Udolpho Township | 9 mi north | 15 min | 1 1 campground | 426 | $339K | — |
| Dexter Township | 10 mi east | 15 min | 1 1 inn or B&B | 257 | $278K | — |
| Geneva Township | 17 mi northwest | 25 min | 1 1 campground | 429 | $228K | — |
| Rochester | 33 mi northeast | 50 min | 79 69 hotels · 3 motels · 4 lodges & cabins · 2 campgrounds · 1 RV park | 124,292 | $311K | C+ |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
More to see nearby
Pair a visit with these, within 69 miles.
12 mi MuseumSpam Museum
32 mi MuseumMinnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children
63 mi MuseumVesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
69 mi MuseumMinnesota Marine Art Museum31 mi Zoo & aquariumOxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
59 mi MuseumBily Clock Museum
39 mi MuseumMacNider Art Museum
34 mi MuseumRochester Art CenterPhoto credits
Spam Museum: Darb02, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children: McGhiever, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Minnesota Marine Art Museum: EverettMath, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bily Clock Museum: Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2 · MacNider Art Museum: Gcardinal101, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Rochester Art Center: Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, answered
Is Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin?
Yes. It’s inside Austin, MN.
When is the best time to visit Jay C. Hormel Nature Center?
May, June, July, August and September, with highs of 68–81°.
How far is Jay C. Hormel Nature Center from St. Paul and Minneapolis?
About 88 miles north of St. Paul and about 90 miles north of Minneapolis, as the crow flies.
What is the closest airport to Jay C. Hormel Nature Center?
Rochester (RST), about 27 miles away. The nearest big hub is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP), about 84 miles.
Where should I stay near Jay C. Hormel Nature Center?
Austin (in town, 8 places to stay), Rochester (33 mi, 79 places to stay) and Albert Lea (22 mi, 14 places to stay).
Tips for visiting, from Austin
People in Austin have not posted tips yet; their Town Square is open.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.