The Big Back Yard's hands-on exhibits and miniature golf course illustrate landscape evolution, river dynamics, and biodiversity. In addition, this outdoor gallery features a prairie maze, gardens, a camera obscura, and an award-winning solar-powered building.

GALLERY HIGHLIGHTS

• In 9 holes of EarthScapes Mini-Golf, learn about the theme of 'source to sink'—how landscapes erode, how rivers transport sediment, and what happens to sediment when it reaches the ocean.
• Walk into the Camera Obscura (Latin for "dark room"), and see an image of the outside world projected on the opposite wall.
• Learn how water and land can affect each other.
• Pan for gemstones and fossils in the giant sluice
• Walk through a maze of prairie plants native to Minnesota.
• Admire our Native American gardens and check out the Big Back Yard plant guide.
• Enjoy lunch at a picnic table.

HOURS

Open daily from 10 a.m. to dusk, weather permitting

TICKETS

Viewing the Big Back Yard is free with museum admission any time during your visit. Mini-golf is an additional charge: $3.00 for children ages 4-12 and seniors 60+, or $4.50 for adults. Members discount on mini-golf: 10%.

Golf for only $5 after 5 p.m.
Play mini-golf after 5 p.m. for only $5 without the purchase of museum admission. To do this, stop at the box office and pick up a special sticker.

PANNING FOR GEMS AND FOSSILS

There are two bags available:
Small Gems - $5.00
Large Gems (double the small size) - $8.00