New Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine Campground Part Of 2017 Minnesota Park Changes

Spring is approaching and soon people will be flocking to Minnesota state parks and trails.  The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have announced a variety of new experiences that will greet visitors this year.

As you plan your adventures, you may want to:

• Explore two new campgrounds opening this summer at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine and Whitewater state parks.
• Paddle a new state water trail through southern Minnesota—the 20-mile Shell Rock River State Water Trail—which begins at Fountain Lake in Freeborn County and passes through Myre-Big Island State Park en route to the Iowa border.
• Discover the Mill Towns State Trail. The DNR has acquired 6 miles of unused rail trail and completed two critical trail connections for the Mill Towns State Trail: a bridge across the Cannon River to Lake Byllesby Regional Park and a Highway 52 underpass.
• See bison. A yearling bull has joined the Minnesota Bison Conservation Herd at Minneopa State Park. He and other bison can often be seen on a two-mile drive through the park’s new bison range.
• Learn how to make your own maple syrup.  Visitors will be able to learn how to make maple syrup in the new sugar shack at Maplewood State Park.

The Minnesota DNR also promises safer and easier boat access at St. Croix Boom Site and the public water accesses along the Minnesota and Otter Tail rivers.

Make sure to visit the DNR website to keep up with changes and adventures that await you and your family across Minnesota.