 May 2024
Minnesota in Motion
All aboard! You’re invited to discover the magic of Minnesota's state parks through a captivating tour. From thrilling underground adventures to roaming explorations, our state parks and recreation areas offer an array of tour experiences that are perfect for families, summer adventurers, and anyone eager to immerse themselves in the beauty and history of Minnesota.
When you're ready to reserve a tour, head to the Minnesota state park reservation website. While you're there, go ahead and make it an overnight trip. 😉⛺
 Soudan Underground Mine Tours
Return of a Fan Favorite
 📷: Lake Vermilion-Soundan Underground Mine State Park
The wait is over! 🎉 After a two-year hiatus, Soudan Underground Mine Tours at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park are back!
Tours came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2022 for a restoration project. With only one way in and out of the mine, the shaft was a bottleneck during the construction process. Hoisting old debris up and out of the shaft was alternated with lowering new steel supports down—a time consuming process. To help shorten the project timeline, a steel fabrication plant and concrete plant were erected on site so that contractors and mine hoist operators could keep the work flowing 24 hours a day.
Starting this Memorial Day weekend (May 25), Soudan Underground Mine Tours will return daily through the end of September. Additional limited dates in October and the off-season are also available—check the website for full details!
Participants start their adventure by viewing an orientation video and donning a hard hat. Then the tour truly begins! Visitors step into a cage where they’ll take an exhilarating three-minute ride nearly a half-mile down the mine shaft.
Once underground, guests board a train and travel nearly a mile to the last working area of the historic iron ore mine. Along the tour, state park interpreters dressed in period clothing relay true stories of life working in what was once called “The Cadillac of Mines” due to its geologic stability, safety, and high wages for workers.
In addition to its rich mineral and historical resources, Soudan Mine is also one of the state’s largest bat hibernacula. Minnesota’s investment in the reconstruction of Soudan Mine helps ensure that people—and bats—can continue to benefit from this National Historic Landmark for generations to come.
Reservations: While not required, reservations are highly recommended—we expect the 2024 season to be especially busy with the re-opening of underground tours.
Cost: $15 adults (ages 13 and up), $10 youth (ages 5-12), children (under 5) free, but a ticket is required.
Accessibility: All tours are fully accessible except for the Walking Drift Tour. The park also has a powered wheelchair available on a first-come, first-served basis.
View the Soudan Mine Tour webpage for detailed information.
Mystery Cave Tours
Calling All Geology Lovers
 📷: Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
Step into a world of wonder at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. Discovered in 1937, Mystery Cave is Minnesota’s longest cave, boasting over 12 miles of underground passages.
One of the cave's most beautiful and surprising features is Turquoise Lake, an ancient underground pool that will leave you in awe—and déjà vu! Turquoise Lake was featured on the Minnesota state park vehicle permit last year.
Ready to unravel the mysteries of Mystery Cave? The park offers a variety of tours that cater to every explorer's curiosity level.
Choose a one-hour Scenic Tour to be guided through Mystery Cave by a friendly and knowledgeable park naturalist. This popular tour provides the best overall cave experience. You'll see unique cave formations and mineral deposits, along with the pools and dramatic passageways. This tour of the cave is open to all ages and is accessible.
The Lantern and Geology Tours allow you to experience the cave with, (you guessed it) lanterns as a light source. Both tours are thrilling and rugged, where you experience the cave in a quieter, natural setting. These tours are for ages eight and up.
Speaking of thrilling, if you are a serious adrenaline junkie, you may want to consider the Wild Caving Tours! Wild caving involves climbing, crawling, stooping, sliding, and requires a general willingness to get tired and dirty. Other options include longer time sessions for School Group, Photography, and Advanced Geology Tours.
Each tour takes you through different parts of the cave and showcases features like stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, fossils, and beautiful underground pools as your tour guide explains how the cave and the features were formed. Choose your tour and let the adventure begin!
Reservations: Book your Scenic, Lantern, Wild Caving, or Geology Tour online in advance. Scenic Tours also offer non-reservable walk-in tours daily at 12:20 and 3:20 p.m. To book an Advanced Geology, Photography, or School Group Tour, call 507-808-8000.
Cost: varies for each tour type and participant age.
Accessibility: The Scenic Tour is stroller- and wheelchair-accessible.
View the Mystery Cave Tours webpage for detailed information.
Bison and Prairie Tours
Roaming the Range
 📷: Amber Brooks, Blue Mounds State Park
Step back in time as you experience the majesty of the prairie at Blue Mounds State Park. On a Prairie and Bison Tour, you’ll journey into the heart of the bison range and have a chance to witness the iconic American bison in their natural habitat.
To start the tour, participants saddle-up in a 12-passenger, open-sided vehicle. As you travel through the park's sprawling landscape, you'll be surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of the open frontier. State park naturalists with expert knowledge in the land’s rich biodiversity will point out different features, provide fun facts and historical information, as well as answer questions over the vehicle’s speaker system as you go.
Keep your eyes peeled for glimpses of the bison herd as they roam freely across the plains. The magnificent mammals are a part of the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd, which is managed specifically to preserve their genetic diversity. Within the 530-acre range, there are typically 80-90 animals in the herd. Bison sightings are frequent, but not guaranteed. The up-to 2,000-pound animals have their own daily agendas!
The Prairie and Bison Tours begin this Memorial Day Weekend (May 25) and run through the third weekend in October. For the full tour schedule, visit the park website. The tour is open to participants ages four and up. Youth four to eight are required to use a booster seat. So wrangle up your friends and family! Whether you're a prairie fanatic or just looking for a fun outing, our guided tours are the perfect outdoor adventure that is both educational and exciting.
Reservations: Reservations are recommended, but not required. Book tickets online or by phone at 866-857-2757. Same-day tickets can be purchase at the park office up to 20 minutes prior to the start of the tour.
Cost: Adults (ages 13+): $10, Youth (4-12): $6
Accessibility: The tour vehicle is equipped with a lift and can accommodate one wheelchair per tour. Please notify the park at 507-283-6050 if you would like to use the lift or the wheelchair-accessible spot. Pets, emotional support, or therapy animals are not allowed on the tour, but service animals are welcome.
View the Prairie and Bison Tours webpage for detailed information.
 Other Awesome Options
A state park vehicle permit is your ticket to adventure! With a valid permit, you can enjoy access to all of the explorations listed below. Visit each park's website and event calendar to view tour dates get all the details.
Glacial Pothole Tours
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Did you know the world's deepest pothole isn't on a city street or highway, but is actually in Interstate State Park?! Glacial pothole that is. Ten thousand years ago, melting glaciers made a river that rushed along the park, spinning whirlpools with sand and gravel that carved deep holes into the bedrock. With names like the Bottomless Pit, Caldron, and Bake Oven, you simply must join our naturalists at Interstate State Park for a free walking tour of these ginormous geological feats! Check the Interstate State Park events calendar for tour times, or explore on your own during park hours. |
Big Bog Boardwalk Tours
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Come take a guided walk through Minnesota's 'last true wilderness!' This fully accessible, naturalist-led tour offers a rare glimpse into the unusual ecosystem of Big Bog State Recreation Area. Walk or roll along the boardwalk as you learn about the hidden mysteries of the bog and catch glimpses of fascinating flora and fauna that call it home. Guided tours are once a month, but you can always explore the boardwalk during park hours on your own! View the event calendar for dates and details. |
Minneopa Bison Drive
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View bison from your car! At Minneopa State Park, you'll drive along a gravel road at your own pace through 325 acres of bison range. The bison roam free—depending on the day, they could be grazing on a hillside, or a few feet from the road, it's all up to them! As you drive, tune into our A.M. radio broadcast to enjoy pre-recorded info about the herd. Summer Bison Drive hours are Thurs-Tues, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The road is closed on Wednesdays for maintenance. Please stay in your vehicle at all times during the drive. Read viewing tips and rules before you go. |
Soudan Mine Surface Tours
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Going nearly a half mile underground not for you? Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has above-ground options too! Explore the buildings and features with a self-guided audio tour, or follow along with the written transcripts. Tour stops include the headframe, crusher house, rescue room, and so much more! You can tour at your own pace during park hours. A tour map and all downloads are available for free on the park's website. |
 A Beaming Partnership
Split Rock Lighthouse Tours
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We would be remiss if we didn’t include the tours at Split Rock Lighthouse. However, it’s important to note that the historic lighthouse AND tours are managed by the Minnesota Historical Society, not Split Rock Lighthouse State Park—it's confusing, we know! On the tour, you'll climb the original fog signal building and view the 1,000 watt bulb that guided sailors to safety on Lake Superior. You can even explore the original lighthouse keeper's home on the grounds. Learn more and get your tickets. |
National Get Outdoors Day — Enjoy Free Entrance
 📷: St. Croix State Park
Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day on June 8 with free entrance to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas—no vehicle permit needed. From Afton to Zippel Bay, we have something for everyone! With a Free Park Day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! After June 8, there will be one additional Free Park Day in 2024 on November 29.
 Flora, Fauna, and Fun— Oh Yeah!
 📷: William O'Brien State Park
From turtles and pond critters to beavers and bees—Minnesota state park naturalists have a wild...errr we mean wide variety of programs and events lined up for visitors! Whether its during your camping trip, or an afternoon stop by the park, there are options to learn and explore all across the state. You won't want to miss the live presentation of falcons or mammal mania! Browse our events calendar to find an activity at a park near you.
 Improvement projects coming to a state park, trail or water recreation site near you!
 📷: William O'Brien State Park
Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) is a historic, one-time investment of $149.9 million to help ensure Minnesotans of all abilities and interests enjoy a world-class recreation system, whichever outdoor experience they choose.
Projects coming to state parks, trails and water recreation sites include:
- Accessibility updates at William O’Brien State Park
- Renovated campgrounds at Sibley and Minneopa state parks
- Expansion of the all-terrain track chair program
- Purchases of additional adaptive equipment such as beach mats, all-terrain wheelchairs, kayak accessories and glasses that help people with color blindness
- Repair and resurfacing projects on roads in six state parks
- Hiking and paved trail repair and resurfacing at 12 state parks
- Extensive upgrades at more than 40 public water access sites
- Small-scale upgrades at more than 75 additional water accesses
Get Out MORE investments were approved by the legislature and signed by Governor Tim Walz in 2023. To learn more about this special initiative, head to the Get Out MORE webpage of the DNR website.
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