Audubon Center of the North Woods

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Conference & Retreat Center

  • Meeting, dining and lodging facilities
  • Team-building, challenge & naturalist programs
  • Beautiful year-round lakeside location
  • Convenient location

We now have centerwide wireless internet

The Audubon Center of the North Woods is available to host your group's meeting, conference, retreat, family reunion or family getaway. Our facility is suited to meet the needs of your group, whether large or small.

An assortment of meeting spaces, large and small, are available throughout the center, ranging from our large dining hall and beautiful Crosby Lounge to indoor classrooms and dispersed classroom facilities spread throughout the Center's property such as a yurt, wildlife classroom and log cabin classroom.

We have a variety of lodging facilities including rooms with private baths, dormitory with shared bath and a 5-BR, 3 bath historic lodge - for a total 158 beds (bunks). The main Dining Hall seats 200 people comfortably and has the most appealing setting with many windows that makes you feel a part of the great outdoors even on winter days, when the fabulous stone fireplace keeps everyone cozy.

Situated on over 535 acres on the shores of Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, we have over 7 miles of trails through a variety of habitat, including old growth forest, managed forest, wetlands, and restored prairie. Our unique site provides the perfect setting for your meeting; quiet and secluded surrounded only by the soothing sounds and sights of the Minnesota outdoors. 

Our trained staff can provide programs for your group, if desired. Options include team-building and team challenge low ropes course, high ropes/zip line, climbing wall, birds of prey presentations (with our education raptors), and a variety of naturalist programs.

Whether you are looking for a location for a day-long meeting, have a weekend retreat needing package pricing, want to schedule a company party or banquet, or need to rent the entire center for a larger group, the Audubon Center of the North Woods provides a conveniently located, affordable and beautiful setting for your group.

For current pricing, to get a quote for your event or to check availability, please email Helen at:
hallstrom@audubon-center.org

Conferences and retreats overview

Conference and retreat center lodging
Update: Lowry now sleeps up to 28 and Schwyzer now sleeps up to 18 people

Conference and retreat meals


Lodging Facilities at ACNW

 


Crosby Lodge

Each room sleeps up to 4 adults or 8 youth/college, featuring solid wood bunks and private bathroom facilities. Two rooms are wheelchair accessible. The Crosby Lodge has capacity for 56 adults or 112 youth/college. No kitchen facilities - meal service is required. Crosby Lodge also has large meeting space and two smaller classrooms.


Lowry Lodge

Five rooms; each room sleeps up to 3 adults or 6 youth/college (2 or 3 sets of bunks), featuring solid wood bunks and shared bathrooms (separate men's and women's multistall) on lower level. The attached large Bremer Classroom has a fully equipped kitchen and eating facilities - you can either make your own meals there or opt for our meal service. The Lowry Lodge has capacity for 14 adults or 28 youth/college.


Historic Schwyzer Lodge

Schwyzer Lodge

The historic Schwyzer Lodge is available for rental for your seasonal family fun. Situated on the shores of Grindstone Lake, this beautiful, charming lodge is an ideal property for a quiet getaway for family and friends. The Lodge has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and can sleep up to 18 people. A fully equipped kitchen, fireplace in the living room, three bathrooms and a large screened porch facing the lake make up some of the amenities of this secluded retreat. Plus, you have access to over 530 acres of Wildlife Sanctuary.

View Schwyzer Rental Brochure (PDF)


Dining at ACNW

The Audubon Center offers delicious meals throughout the day as well as customized banquet menus, prepared fresh to satisfy every palate. Combine our fantastic meals with our beautiful lakeside dining hall and you've got a truly enjoyable dining experience. Each meal includes a variety of exceptional cuisine with a focus on locally grown or organic items, as well as fruit, salad and bread.

Our regular meal service is served buffet-style and includes beverages. For banquets and parties, we work with you to determine your desired menu.

Dining hall Dining Hall
 

Dining Hall


Meeting Facilities at ACNW

Indoor classrooms, a spacious lounge area and a dining room with a fabulous stone fireplace can be used as meeting or gathering rooms. There are also dispersed classroom facilities spread throughout the Center's property such as a yurt, wildlife classroom and log cabin classroom.


Programming and Free Time Activities

Our guests are welcome to hike, ski, snowshoe or bike on our network of over 7 miles of well-maintained trails. We offer a great variety of fun, educational team-building, challenge and naturalist-led activities for our guests at an additional fee, such as:

  • Ecology and Interpretive Hikes
  • Indoor Climbing Wall
  • Team Building
  • Canoeing (canoes can also be rented for $12/day)
  • High Ropes Course
  • Team Challenge Low Ropes Course
  • Raptor Programs
We do not allow ATV’s or other motorized recreational vehicles on our property, so you can be assured of a quiet site, where the only sounds you will hear are the lapping of waves on the rocks, wind blowing through the old white pines, or songbirds singing in the treetops.

To plan your retreat with us or for any further information about our center's retreat capabilities, please contact us at 1-888-404-7743, or hallstrom@audubon-center.org

Conveniently located six miles from Interstate 35, about 90 miles (about 1 1/2 hours) from the
Twin Cities, St Cloud and Brainerd, and 70 miles south of Duluth (about 1 hour),
the Audubon Center is the perfect get-a-way distance from anywhere!

Save time and money on travel costs,
yet get far enough "away" from your daily routine.

How do I get to the Audubon Center?

Our Mission:
To instill a connection and commitment
to the environment in people of all
communities through experiential learning.

Our Vision:
A healthy planet where all people
live in balance with the Earth.

Our Core Values:
* We demonstrate respect, care and passion for the earth, all people and all living things
* We strive for excellence in everything we do through integrity, open communication and teamwork
* Individuals are valued, engaged and appreciated for their unique contributions
* We believe in life-long learning through positive shared experiences with the natural world
* Our efforts encourage others to recognize their interconnectedness with the earth through their actions

Last Updated: Friday February 24, 2012
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Audubon Center of the North Woods
(Located just 90 miles from the Twin Cities and St. Cloud and 70 miles from Duluth)
P.O. Box 530 (shipping address = 54165 Audubon Dr.), Sandstone, MN 55072

GPS coordinates: (46.117186384284004, -92.99793720245361)     (Driving Directions)
Toll-free: 1-888-404-7743; Phone: (320)245-2648; Fax: (320)245-5272

audubon1@audubon-center.org
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