Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Overview
In 2014, the state legislature combined two neighboring parks to create Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. This new park offers both the beauty of the Lake Vermilion shoreline and the one-of-a-kind experience of touring the Soudan Underground Mine. At 40,557 acres, Lake Vermilion is the fifth largest lake located entirely within the borders of Minnesota. The nearby mine is a National Historic Landmark that highlights a mining history reaching back over 4,000 years. The park offers 31 electric sites, 24 sites designed for OHV users, 3 group camp sites, a rental house, 8 camper cabins and a day-use area.
- Trails
- 6
- Viewpoints
- 16
- Activities
- 0
- POIs
- 33
Opening Hours
08:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Emergency SOS
Amenities Available
- Paved Parking Lots
Designated vehicle parking areas with clearly marked spaces and ADA-accessible spots mandated by federal law. Most parks offer free or low-cost daily parking passes.
- Restrooms / Flush Toilets
Modern restroom facilities with running water and proper sanitation. Subject to seasonal closures in northern states during winter months.
- Drinking Water Fountains
Potable water stations distributed throughout the park, tested regularly for safety to ensure clean water access for all visitors.
- Picnic Areas & Shelters
Covered pavilions equipped with tables and built-in grills. Shelters are often reservable for group events and birthday parties.
- Visitor / Ranger Station
Information hub staffed by rangers or volunteers offering maps, wildlife briefings, and educational programs for school groups and families.
- Hiking & Nature Trails
Marked paths ranging from easy, paved walks to rugged backcountry routes, blazed with color-coded markers and difficulty ratings.
- Campgrounds
Tent and RV sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Some include full electric hookups, reservable through Recreation.gov.
- Overlook
- Fishing Piers & Access
Accessible fishing spots and ADA-compliant piers along rivers and lakes. A valid state fishing license is required to fish.
Required Permits
VEHICLE PERMITSRequired
Required for all except main Soudan Underground Mine and Stuntz Bay parking lots; purchase at visitor center or entrance kiosk.
Alerts & Advisories
Stay informed before heading out
Safety Tips
Safety Advisory
- Important safety and operational notices for Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park include ignoring GPS directions once near the Tower area because devices often misroute to the mine entrance.
- Visitors should also note that white-nose syndrome, a non-human-harmful fungal disease affecting bat populations, is present in the underground mine, no bags, purses, or strollers are allowed on underground tours
Popular/Nearby Trails
Hiking (Miner’s Trail/Swedetown Loop)
Hiking (Wawa Way)
ATV/OHM
Snowmobiling (Crosscut Trail)
Hiking (Onamani Overlook/ Lakeside Trail)
Paved (Mesabi Trail)
Nearby Viewpoints
Overlook
Viewing Area
0.7 mi
Campground
0.8 mi
Historic Site
Monument / Memorial
0.9 mi
Geological Feature
Greenhouse
0.9 mi
Picnic Area
1.1 mi
Picnic Area
1.3 mi
Group Camp (Tents & RV)
RV Campground
1.3 mi
Boat-In Campsite
Boating Permit
1.4 mi
Historic Site (Breitung Memorial Park)
Monument / Memorial
1.4 mi
Group Camp (Tents & RV)
RV Campground
1.4 mi
Overlook
1.6 mi
Campground
1.7 mi
Picnic Area
1.7 mi
Group Camp (Tents Only)
Campsite
1.8 mi
Campground
2.0 mi
Picnic Area
2.2 mi
Nearby Points of Interest
Reviews & Ratings
Community Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park is open every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
What is Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
In 2014, the state legislature combined two neighboring parks to create Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. This new park offers both the beauty of the Lake Vermilion shoreline and the one-of-a-kind experience of touring the Soudan Underground Mine.
Where is Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park located?
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park is located in Soudan, Minnesota, United States.
How many trails are there at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has 6 mapped trails covering 22.6 miles in total. The longest is Paved (Mesabi Trail) at 6.6 miles.
What is there to see at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
Places to see at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park include Geological Feature, Historic Site, Historic Site (Breitung Memorial Park), Overlook, Dock, Park Building and 2 more.
What facilities are available at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
Facilities at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park include Campgrounds, Drinking Water Fountains, Fishing Piers & Access, Hiking & Nature Trails, Overlook, Paved Parking Lots, Picnic Areas & Shelters, Restrooms / Flush Toilets and 1 more.
Is there parking at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
Yes, Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has parking (Paved Parking Lots).
Can I camp at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
Yes, Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park has 7 campsites marked on its map, including Group Camp (Tents & RV) and Group Camp (Tents Only).
How can I contact Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park?
You can contact Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park by phone at 8886466367.
What safety tips should visitors to Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park know?
Important safety and operational notices for Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park include ignoring GPS directions once near the Tower area because devices often misroute to the mine entrance. Visitors should also note that white-nose syndrome, a non-human-harmful fungal disease affecting bat populations, is present in the underground mine, no bags, purses, or strollers are allowed on underground tours
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