Scandia MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Scandia, Minnesota.
1. Gammelgården Museum
SWEDISH IMMIGRATION HERITAGE SITE
Gammelgården Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the daily lives of Swedish immigrants as the only open-air museum in the United States devoted to Swedish immigration. The museum features several historic buildings including the oldest Lutheran church building in Minnesota (built in 1856), Prast Hus (the first parsonage from 1868), Immigrant Hus (1855), Stuga (1930), and an 1879 Barn. Visitors can enjoy seasonal celebrations, children's programs, and tour the museum grounds which include picnic facilities, a playground, and the Scandia Butik gift shop.
2. Big Marine Park Reserve
PRISTINE NATURAL RECREATION AREA
Big Marine Park Reserve is located on the southern shores of Big Marine Lake in Scandia, offering excellent natural resource features including the St. Croix Valley/northeast ground moraine and high-quality upland and wetland wildlife habitat. When completed, the park will encompass 1,800 acres with 80 percent of its acreage preserved to resemble the land as it was prior to the mid-1800s settlers' arrival. Visitors should note that vehicle permits are required for all vehicles entering this beautiful park reserve.
3. Big Marine Lake North Boat Launch
SCENIC LAKE ACCESS POINT
Big Marine Lake North Boat Launch, located at 11759 Mayberry Trail North, provides boaters and anglers with convenient access to the beautiful Big Marine Lake. This public boat launch is operated and managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, ensuring quality facilities for water recreation enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy various water activities including fishing and boating while taking in the natural beauty of this Scandia waterway.
4. Log House Landing
HISTORIC RIVER ACCESS POINT
Log House Landing, part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, holds significant historical importance as the arrival point for many Swedish immigrants who settled in Scandia. Located at 16956 205th Street North, this river access point served as a gateway for settlers who traveled via the St. Croix River to establish Minnesota's first Swedish settlement. Today, visitors can connect with this important historical site while enjoying the natural beauty of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
5. Hay Lake Park
HISTORIC COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACE
Hay Lake Park is a 7-acre community park located at the intersection of Old Marine Trail and Olinda Trail North in the south central part of Scandia. The park sits adjacent to the Swedish Monument, which commemorates the first Swedish settlers in Minnesota and marks the site of the first log house built in 1850. Visitors to Hay Lake Park can enjoy modern amenities including a park shelter, picnic tables, grills, lighting, and electrical hook-ups, with street parking available for convenience.
6. Swedish Monument
PIONEER SETTLEMENT MEMORIAL
The Swedish Monument, erected in 1900, stands as a testament to Scandia's significance as the first Swedish settlement in Minnesota. Located 1.5 miles south of Highway 97 on Olinda Trail North (County Road 3), the monument is inscribed with the names of the first Swedish settlers who established themselves in Minnesota beginning in the mid-1800s. This historical marker commemorates the site of the first log house built in 1850, providing visitors with a tangible connection to Scandia's Swedish immigrant heritage.
7. Poplar Goat Farm Tours
INTERACTIVE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCE
Poplar Goat Farm Tours offers visitors a delightful agricultural experience in Scandia's countryside setting. Guests can interact with the farm's goats while learning about sustainable farming practices and goat husbandry. This family-friendly attraction provides educational insights into rural life while honoring Scandia's agricultural heritage.
8. Rustic Roots Winery
LOCAL WINE TASTING DESTINATION
Rustic Roots Winery welcomes visitors to sample locally produced wines in a charming setting that reflects Scandia's rural character. The winery showcases Minnesota viticulture with wines crafted from locally grown grapes and fruits, offering a taste of the region's terroir. Visitors can enjoy tastings while taking in the picturesque surroundings that recall the rolling hills that attracted Swedish settlers to the area.
9. Wind In The Pines Nature Park
PEACEFUL WOODLAND SANCTUARY
Wind In The Pines Nature Park offers visitors a tranquil escape into Scandia's natural landscape with walking trails winding through native Minnesota forests. The park preserves the region's natural heritage with diverse habitats supporting local wildlife and plant species. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy bird watching, photography, and seasonal flora while experiencing the same landscape features that reminded Swedish immigrants of their homeland.
10. Lilleskogen Park
COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE
Lilleskogen Park serves as a beloved community gathering space in Scandia, featuring recreational facilities for residents and visitors alike. The park's name reflects Scandia's Swedish heritage, with 'Lilleskogen' translating to 'little forest' in Swedish. Visitors can enjoy the park's amenities while appreciating its role in preserving Scandia's cultural identity and providing green space within the community.
11. Dala Horse Trail
SWEDISH CULTURAL ART TOUR
The Dala Horse Trail takes visitors through Scandia to view colorful statues of Dala horses, traditional Swedish carved wooden horses that serve as symbols of the town's Swedish heritage. These distinctive red wooden horses with decorative paint patterns can be spotted throughout the community, providing cultural landmarks that celebrate Scandia's distinction as the first Swedish immigrant settlement in Minnesota. Exploring the trail offers visitors insight into Swedish folk art traditions while enjoying Scandia's scenic landscapes.
12. Barn Quilt Tour
RURAL ART INSTALLATION ROUTE
The Barn Quilt Tour invites visitors to drive through Scandia's countryside to view colorful quilt patterns displayed on local barns, combining rural architecture with folk art traditions. Each barn quilt tells a story about the property, the family who owns it, or aspects of Scandia's cultural heritage, creating an outdoor gallery of public art. The tour celebrates the agricultural roots of the community while preserving the visual character of Scandia's rural landscape.
13. Hay Lake School Museum
HISTORIC EDUCATION LANDMARK
The Hay Lake School Museum preserves one of the original educational buildings from Scandia's early settlement period, offering visitors insight into 19th-century rural education. The carefully restored schoolhouse contains period furniture, educational materials, and artifacts that illustrate the learning environment of Swedish immigrant children in Minnesota's early days. Visitors can step back in time to experience an important aspect of pioneer life while appreciating the community's commitment to education.
14. St. Croix River Access
SCENIC WATERWAY RECREATION
The St. Croix River Access points near Scandia provide opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and enjoying the natural beauty of this National Scenic Riverway. The river holds historical significance as the water route used by many Swedish immigrants to reach what would become Minnesota's first Swedish settlement in the mid-1800s. Today's visitors can appreciate both the recreational aspects and historical importance of the river while enjoying the same pristine waters that welcomed Scandia's founders.
15. William O'Brien State Park
DIVERSE OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
William O'Brien State Park, located near Scandia in Marine on St. Croix, offers visitors over 1,600 acres of diverse natural habitats including rolling glacial moraine and river floodplain forests along the St. Croix River. The park provides year-round recreational opportunities with hiking trails, camping facilities, fishing access, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and naturalist programs. Visitors can observe abundant wildlife including deer, bluebirds, hawks, and even occasional black bears while enjoying spectacular views of the St. Croix River Valley.