Shepard Farm

Your nature destination in Cottage Grove


Welcome to Shepard Farm

Shepard Farm (140 acres) offers a setting unique from other Dodge properties, with 100-year-old woods, 1920s-era historic buildings and barns, restored prairie, large community gardens, a bee apiary, and animal pastures. After acquiring it from the Wilder Foundation in 2013, Dodge has thoughtfully developed it to serve as a destination for agricultural and environmental education in Washington County.

Download Shepard Farm Map (PDF)

Trails now open

Come explore the mile-long trail, open sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. The trailhead is marked by a white kiosk to the west of the parking lot. Please leave your dogs at home and secure your bicycles by the parking lot.

For a guided experience, nature programs for children, adults and families are offered monthly.

Activities Calendar

Lots for you to do!


Hike the trails

Open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset

View Map and Guide (PDF)

Learn at naturalist-led programs

Offered monthly for all ages

Activities Calendar

Garden and grow

Grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers in community gardens

Learn More

Learn beekeeping from experts

Cultivate hives and produce honey

Learn More

Location


Directions & Parking

8946 70th Street S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Vehicles can access the property via a one-way road. Please enter from 70th Street S. and exit on Jamaica Ave. The paved lot offers ample parking for cars; please do not park in the school bus drop-off/pickup loop.

Pedestrians can enter Shepard Farm from paved trails along 70th Street S. and Jamaica Ave.

Things to know before you visit.

Visitor Guidelines

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