Explore On Your Own

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The Abbey has owned and cared for this site since 1856. In keeping with our Benedictine Values, the monastic community is pleased to share our home with you where you may observe nature and be physically and spiritually refreshed. As a guest on this private property, please be respectful of our policies and this land which we consider sacred.

Hike the Trails

The Abbey Arboretum has more than 15 miles of hiking trails. No pets or unauthorized motor vehichles are allowed. No hiking on groomed ski trails, please! Trail maps are available. 

Bike on Campus

Abbey Arboretum trails are not for biking, but you can cycle on any paved surface at Saint John’s. Bike down the Old Entrance Road, across the footbridge over I-94 to access the Lake Wobegon Trail, a 65-mile long hiking and biking trail. Check out a bike from the OLC!

Swim Lake Sag

The Saint John’s Abbey beach is a private beach for Saint John’s University, College of Saint Benedict, and the Saint John’s Prep communities, as well as their guests. Swimming is allowed only during beach hours and in designated areas.

Float Your Boat

Although there is no public boat access to any of the lakes at the Abbey Arboretum, Saint John’s allows people to access the lake at designated points. In order to provide a quiet and peaceful outdoor experience for the community, only non-motorized boats or canoes are allowed. See the Saint John’s Abbey Lake & Water Policy for more information.

Disc Golf Course

Bring yourself over to the Saint John’s Abbey Disc Golf Course, located just east of East Gemini Lake. Don’t have a disk? Make a pit stop at the OLC before heading out to the course and take your pick from 100 disks. The disc golf course is an all natural course and in order to preserve that we ask that you follow the Leave No Trace policy.

Groomed Ski Trails

Cross-country ski trails in the Abbey Arboretum are groomed whenever snow conditions allow. All of the grooming is performed by the Abbey land management team. We collect no trail fees, but if you enjoyed the ski trails, we recommend joining Saint John’s Outdoor University as an annual member.

Snowshoe Hikes

Venture off the beaten path with your pair of snowshoes! Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the Abbey Arboretum except on groomed winter ski trails. Don’t have snowshoes? Not a problem. Head over to the OLC before your adventure and rent a pair, free of charge.

Fish the Lakes

There is no pubic access to any of the lakes in the Abbey Arboretum. However, Saint John’s allows fishing from the shoreline and from non-motorized boats as long as individuals respect the Abbey land and follow all MN DNR regulations. Please avoid fishing along sensitive shores and remember to remove all garbage, such as unused bait or dead fish. See the Saint John’s Abbey Lake and Water Policy for more information. 

Sledding Hill

Grab your sled or your snowboard and head to the Saint John’s sledding hill! You can sled anytime you want, but please do not build jumps on the hill (they will be removed) and always be mindful of other users. The hill is just to the west of the Durenberger Athletic Fields and Skalicky Dome. Check out sleds from the OLC!

iNaturalist

Have you ever wanted to know what to call those purple wildflowers in the prairie? Or wondered what kind of bird you spotted flying over Lake Sag? iNaturalist can help you identify animals and plants in the Abbey Arboretum. Use your camera or the iNaturalist app on your cellphone to snap a picture of your observations and share them with the online community of nature lovers at iNaturalist.org. Learn more on page 3 of our 2017 Autumn newsletter.

Geocaches

Use your GPS to locate the geocaches located in the Abbey Arboretum! Geocaches may only be added to the Abbey lands with permission from the abbey land manager. Unauthorized caches are removed.