Ernie Miller Nature Center

Ernie Miller Nature Center covers 116 acres and offers multiple hiking trails that crosses through prairie grass, meadows, woods and streams. The trails are varied with easy, shorter paved paths for strollers or wheelchairs, but there are also dirt trails into the woods for those wanting something a bit more rugged. Upper Ridge Trail requires a bit of an uphill hike and takes you above the creek along a ridge for great views. At one end, you cross a larger creek over big rocks that might be unstable for tiny kiddos to maneuver or a mom with a carrier, so be careful to assess the potential hazard of slipping and falling if the rocks are slippery and the water level is high. The South Trail is the longest trail and covers a large area of the southern portion of the grounds. The trail is paved near the amphitheater and small parking lot, but the majority takes you into the woods on dirt trails. There are downed trees for climbing a few small creek crossings and, fortunately, the water is pretty shallow most of the time so it’s very toddler-friendly. Kids can walk all of the South Trail; however, there are lots of exposed roots and portions of the trail are rocky, so make sure new walkers are careful not to trip.