Until 8 p.m. includes Twin Cities area

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Minnesota's first new state park in more than 30 years is a step closer to completion.


State officials including Gov. Mark Dayton and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty held a ceremonial ground breaking Friday for a campground at Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. When finished, it will accommodate more than 250 campers per night. 


The park, located on the rocky shore of Lake Vermilion in northeastern Minnesota, sits on five miles of waterfront and includes both soft and hardwood forests.

The park opened to day use in 2010, after the state purchased the 3,000 acre property from U.S. Steel for $20 million. Pawlenty was governor when the park was created and he championed the cause.

Pawlenty on Lake Vermillion State Park groundbreaking


Erika Rivers, director of Minnesota State Parks and Trails, said the park is geared towards the next generation of campers. 

 
"They wanted to see campgrounds that would accommodate groups of people, rather than just individual campsites," Rivers said. "They wanted privacy in their camping experience, but they also wanted some of the creature comforts of home, like showers and bathrooms really close by." 

The campground is expected to open in the fall of 2016. Rivers estimates it will cost about $60 million to complete the park.

Lifestyle

Environmental News

Dan Kraker

Author

Gov. Mark Dayton and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty held a ceremonial ground breaking Friday for a campground at Lake Vermillion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, a camp for more than 250 campers.

Minnesota's newest state park closer to completion

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox