Explore Minnesota’s Hidden Gems This Summer with State park Tours open now
If you’re looking to spice up your summer plans, Minnesota’s state parks have got you covered with some seriously awesome tours.
From descending into historic mines to roaming through vast prairies and exploring mind-blowing cave systems, these guided adventures are sure to leave you with memories that’ll last a lifetime. Let’s dive in!
Into the Underground Mines
First up, we’ve got the Soudan Underground Mine tours at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. Imagine this – you’ll be boarding an actual mining cage and descending nearly half a mile underground to explore the state’s first iron ore mine. How cool is that?
After undergoing some major renovations, the mine is reopening this summer with brand-new exhibits at the visitor center.
I’m super excited as we’ve done this tour and it hasn’t been open since Covid!
The guides will take you on a journey through time, sharing stories of the hard-working miners who toiled away in these depths. You’ll get a firsthand look at the working conditions and learn what made this mine one of the safest on the Iron Range.
Prairies and Bison Galore
Next, let’s head over to Blue Mounds State Park in southwestern Minnesota. Here, you can hop on a bus tour that’ll take you deep into the heart of a vast prairie. Keep your eyes peeled because you might just spot the park’s massive bison herd roaming freely!
Because the bison’s roaming area is so large, this is one of the best ways to get up close to them.
Even if the bison decide to play hide-and-seek, you’ll still get to marvel at the diverse flora and fauna that call this prairie home.
The naturalist guides will share fascinating insights into the resilience of this ecosystem and how it’s so much more than just grass.
Caving Adventures Await
Last but not least, we’ve got the ultimate underground escapade – the Mystery Cave tours at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. Spanning a whopping 13 miles, this is Minnesota’s longest cave system, and trust me, it’s a maze of wonders.
You can opt for the lantern tour for a spooky yet enchanting experience, or go all-out with the wild caving tour (if you’re feeling extra adventurous).
Whichever route you choose, you’ll be treated to stunning rock formations, crystal-clear cave pools, and maybe even some rare cave-dwelling critters.
This tour is hard to snag. We’ve attempted it a few times and come up short.
Book Your Spot Today
Spots for these epic tours are filling up fast, so don’t sleep on reserving your spot. They just opened up for the season. Head over to the Minnesota State Parks website to check out the tour schedules and book your adventure today. Oh, and don’t forget to grab your state park vehicle permit if you’re planning to visit Blue Mounds or Forestville/Mystery Cave!
So, what are you waiting for? This summer, trade in your couch for some serious Minnesota exploration. These state park tours are calling your name!
