Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Breitung Township is home to this beautiful state park, which features history, scenic beauty, and exciting recreational activities!

About the mine…

The Soudan Underground Mine opened in 1882 and was Minnesota’s first iron ore mine . The operations began in open pits and in 1892 moved underground. The mine’s value was in the special kind of ore it produced. The ore’s high oxygen content was used to make high-quality steel that was flexible and stronger with fewer impurities. Soudan Mine stopped mining ore in 1962 and became a state park in 1963.  Today you can explore the last level that the miners worked. More information about the Soudan Underground Mine can be found by visiting Lake Vermilion Soudan Underground Mine State Park

General Information

  • The temperature of the mine is a constant 51*F. Warm dress and sturdy shoes are recommended.
  • There are two narrow spiral staircases on the Underground Mine Tour, but all tours are ADA accessible. Call for details.
  • Photographs are allowed underground.
  • No bags or strollers underground.
  • Surface buildings are open for exploration.
  • The park has over five miles of hiking trails.

Tours

  • Daily tours Memorial Day weekend through the end of September and weekends in October through the annual Education Minnesota converence.
  • 10:00 AM
  • 4:00 PM

About the Park…

In 2010 the park expanded when 3,000 acres, including 5.1 miles of Lake Vermilion shoreline were purchased from U.S. Steel Corporation. Now the total park is over 4,000 acres, with 10 miles of shoreline. While the main attraction at the park is the underground mine tour, the hiking trails, campgrounds and public water access present many opportunities for outdoor recreation.

The park has over ten miles of hiking trails, eight camper cabins, 32 campsites at the Vermilion Ridge campground and 24 campsites at the Pyrite Off-Highway Vehicle Campground in the state recreation area, as well as a rental cabin one mile from the public water access on Lake Vermilion. Please note that off-highway vehicles (OHVs) may only operate inside the state recreation area. OHVs are not allowed in state park boundaries.

Want to get a birds eye view of this gem? Check out this video made possible by Discover the Range, IRRR, and Community Economic Development Associates: Mine Tour – Soudan, MN

More information