Credit River

• The Credit River is a small tributary of the Minnesota River, stretching a total of 22 miles long.
• The River was once designated as "impaired by turbidity (cloudiness)" but since monitoring data from 2008 and 2009 it was removed from this list!
• This beautiful River offers a small escape from the City where one might see wildlife both aquatic and terrestrial.

McColl Pond

• With Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish present there is always something to catch for avid anglers.
• The lake is 22 acres in size with a fishing dock for easy access. A nature trail invites visitors to stroll through a maple-oak-basswood forest along the south shore of McColl Pond.
• There is no entrance fee and has an adjacent picnic area with grills and a playground.

McColl Pond Environmental Learning & Event Center

• The building was designed through a naturally resourceful approach, with green roofs, previous surfaces, solar and geothermal energy systems and raingardens surrounding the exterior.
• It sits in the middle of 10 aces of native prairie, butterfly garden, and mature trees.
• The center provides multiple educational programs and experiences, and a beautiful place to rent for all events, most popularly for weddings and graduations.

Boiling Springs

• Also known as Maka Yusota, this is a sacred site revered by the Dakota people.
• As water escapes through the bedrock, it gets blocked by fine overlaying sand and once enough pressure builds, it boils to the surface.
• If you visit this area, please be respectful by staying on trails and refrain from littering.

Murphy Hanrehan Park Reserve

• The park has been designated as an "Important Bird Area" by the National Audubon Society.
• Extensive forests, patches of prairies, and wetlands, along with varying topography, allow the visitors to experience many different small ecosystems, plants, and wildlife.
• With 2 lakes, a dog park, cross-country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, and 10 miles of easy to advanced mountain biking trails, Murphy Hanrehan also allows users another way to interact with natural resources.

Minnesota River Valley

• The Minnesota River Valley area consists of 3 lakes and 1 marsh encompassed in 775 acres shared among 4 cities, owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
• It is a very important habitat for waterfowl, aquatic species, and terrestrial species.
• The USFWS is currently evaluating ways to increase diversity in native aquatic plants, create higher quality feeding and resting habitat for waterfowl.

Eagle Creek

• Eagle Creek is the last remaining natural trout stream in Scott County that is currently being protected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) and has been restored by the MnDNR, Trout Unlimited, and Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and volunteers.
• With over 200 Acres surrounding Eagle Creek owned by the MnDNR this is a great place to see unaltered vegetation.
• The catch and release stream is prime trout habitat due to its cold, clear ground water that wells up through the earth.
• The trout in this stream make it very unique, as these types of trout streams are becoming harder and harder to find as we slowly develop closer to these fragile ecosystems.

Hidden Valley Remnant Prairie

• Prior to the development and growth of the City of Savage, there were wetlands, forests, and prairies throughout the City. Many of these features have been altered for the creation of houses and businesses.
• This makes the prairie in Hidden Valley very unique because it has gone so many years without being altered by human activity.
• This uniqueness shows as the prairie is also home to MnDNR listed special concern species of wildflowers. As well as an important wildlife habitat and serves as a reminder of what some of Savage looked like in the past.
• The City of Savage designates a portion of this remnant prairie as a sledding hill in the winter months.

Savage Fen

• The Savage Fen is arguably the crown jewel of natural features in the City of Savage. The majority of the Savage Fen is owned by the MnDNR.
• Site access is limited with the majority of its use seen during deer hunting season.
• A fen is a specific type of wetland that is usually positioned on a slope of a steep incline, rather than a low spot. It is also home to many rare species of plants due to its very unique ecosystem.
• It becomes even more unique when it was found out that it was a Calcareous Fen, Meaning that the water that comes from the ground is very rich in the nutrient Calcium. This creates an even more unique habitat where only very specific plant types may survive.