Sand Hill River Recreation Area & Agassiz Learning Center

Tons of trails, rolling sand hills, nature preserve, river, picnic area, and primitive camping. The AELC, also known locally as "The Nature Center" is located in the 640 acre wilderness area located just west of Fertile. There is a Visitor's Center with a meeting room, kitchen and restroom facilities including showers, in addition to a primitive campground. There is an extensive trail system maintained for hiking in the summer and groomed regularly for cross country skiing in the winter. In the Visitor's Center, there is cross country ski equipment available to rent. There is also a five mile horse riding trail around the perimeter as well as a horse loading and unloading area. The AELC is also a snow school and offers snowshoe rentals. The Fertile Sand Hills is a beautiful and unique wilderness area that offers a diversity of natural communities, including two of Minnesota's most endangered - prairie and oak savannah. Other natural communities include the Sand Hill River, riverine forest, birch bluffs, active sand dunes and oak woodland. The AELC is a private non-profit corporation devoted to providing educational and recreational experiences about the natural world. The Visitor's Center is open from 2 to 5 daily from April through October and from 1 to 4 daily from November through March. Funding for the AELC is provided by the City of Fertile, membership, donations and use fees.