Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area

Located only 30 miles northeast of the Twin Cities, Crystal Spring Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) offers the region’s 3.3 million residents a close-to-home opportunity to experience unique flora and fauna and beautiful views of the National Wild and Scenic St. Croix River. Acquired and created with help from The Trust for Public Land in 2015, this 38-acre, state-owned SNA encompasses significant biodiversity, thriving communities of native plants, and habitat for several rare species of birds and plants. The SNA’s dramatic geologic features include a scenic waterfall, steep rocky cliffs, a winding cold-water stream, thick old forests, and panoramic views of the National Wild and Scenic St. Croix River.

In 2018, The Trust for Public Land protected an additional 20 acres that will expand the SNA, protect the original investment, and provide better public access.

Funding for this project was provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, and the Reinvest in Minnesota Program (RIM), which uses funds from conservation license plate sales to match donations of land value to the state of Minnesota.

More information about visiting Crystal Spring SNA can be found here.