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9.7 miles of horse trails horse of miles 9.7 •

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22 semi-modern campsites; 11 campsites; semi-modern 22 • FEATURES

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ACILITIES AND ACILITIES Le Roy F to 16 12 miles

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Park Entrance PARK STATE LAKE LOUISE LAKE of hardwood forest and field areas found in resulting depressions can be seen along the Lat/Long (DMS) = 43 32 9, -92 30 33 e Electrical Sites UTM X/Y = 539651, 4820450 the park. park trails. Despite these few rather Water interesting depressions, the park’s terrain is Toilets The 1,168-acre park contains two spring-fed relatively level and ideal for the novice biker, Handicapped Site streams (the Upper and Little Iowa cross-country skier or horseback rider. Restrooms/Showers rivers) which join in the park, a dam and Trailer Sanitation Station NORTH Camper Duluth impoundment where a grist mill was located Parking • VEGETATION: Prior to European settlement, Self-Registration in the late 1800s, and scattered stands of Horse Riders Campground Station hardwoods. park vegetation consisted mostly of prairie and oak savanna. Some woodlands Day Use 19e developed where they were protected from Horse Parking/ 17e Minneapolis/ Tie Area Riverview St. Paul • HISTORY: Lake Louise State Park is the site fire by streams. 14 H1 of Minnesota’s oldest, continuous-use H2 20e Red Oak LAKE LOUISE recreation area. Shortly after the area was Today, most of the park consists of patches 18e STATE PARK 2e 16e of hardwood forest and old fields. Small H3 15e surveyed in 1853, the town of LeRoy was H5 12 platted, and the dammed remnants of prairie and oak savanna can 13e 5e still be seen. Park staff are working to restore H4 H6 1 6e to provide power for a grist mill. Soon after 10e 11 LAKE LOUISE the railroad came through, but it passed these original plant communities through 3 south of the original townsite. Out of replanting and use of prescribed fire. 4 Hiking STATE PARK economic necessity LeRoy was moved to its 7 9 Horseback/Hiking 8 Underlined site numbers FOR MORE INFORMATION present location to be close to the tracks. Among the many flowering plants that grow are RESERVABLE Shortly after this the grist mill was in the park is Nodding Wild OnionAllium ( Lake Louise State Park © 2/2008 by State of Minnesota, abandoned the Hambrecht family – who cernuum), a state threatened species. Another LAKE LOUISE STATE PARK CAMPGROUND Department of Natural Resources c/o Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park owned the land along the mill pond – gave 21071 County 118 notable plant here is Shooting Star several acres to the village as a recreation (Dodecatheon meadia), a key prairie indicator. • Ride only on designated horse trails. Preston, MN 55965 • On a daily basis, the park is closed from area. At that time the site was known as The beauty of both woodland and prairie •Avoid shortcutting at corners. (507) 352-5111 10:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. the following Wildwood Park. The mill pond was named • Leave beverage containers at camp or ♦ wildflower displays during spring and morning except to registered campers. after a member of the Hambrecht family summer is a major attraction for park pack them out in saddle bags. Department of Natural Resources • Camp only in designated locations. and still bears her name, “Louise.” visitors. •Avoid riding on the roads. Information Center • The use of firearms, explosives, air guns, • Save precious shade trees – use hitching 500 Lafayette Road slingshots, traps, seines, nets, bows and rails or tie horses away from trees. St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 In 1962 the city of LeRoy donated WILDLIFE: The park is located in the midst arrows, and all other weapons is (651) 296-6157 (Metro Area) Wildwood Park – about 70 acres – to the of an intensely-farmed agricultural area with prohibited in the state parks. 1-888-646-6367 (MN Toll Free) state to form the nucleus of Lake Louise little remaining native habitat. Many species • Pets must be restrained on a leash no Daily or annual permits are required for all State Park. Today the statutory boundary of wildlife are attracted to the food and cover longer than six feet. Pets are not allowed vehicles entering a state park. Here at Lake TDD (Telecommunications encompasses 1,168 acres. found in the forested and old-field areas of in park buildings. Louise, vehicle permits can only be purchased Device for Deaf) the park. The combination of wetlands, • Park in designated areas only. through Self-Registration. Go to park office (651) 296-5484 (Metro Area) and follow the Self-Registration instructions. GEOLOGY: In the distant past Lake Louise rivers, lake, old fields and wooded areas • Motor bikes and other licensed vehicles 1-800-657-3929 (MN Toll Free) State Park was only lightly glaciated by the provides ideal habitat for many species of are allowed only on park roads, not on ♦ DNR Web Site: www.dnr.state.mn.us first two of the four major ice ages. As a birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. trails. • Enjoy park wildlife and plants but please This information is available in State Parks page: www.mnstateparks.info result its underlying limestone bedrock is alternative format upon request. close to the surface and is covered by a very The park has become a traditional wintering respect them. Do not pick or dig up plants, LAKE LOUISE STATE PARK is located in thin deposit of glacial material. The meager area for whitetail deer, with viewing of these disturb or feed animals, or scavenge dead animals a major visitor attraction during “Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from southeastern Minnesota near the Iowa extent of this covering can be noted in several wood. programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural border. The park is located in Mower County, places where the underlying limestone has winter months. Old fields found in the park • Build fires only in designated locations – Resources is available to all individuals regardless of provide excellent viewing areas for bird fire rings or fireplaces. Wood is available race, color, creed or religion, national origin, sex, marital 1.5 miles north of LeRoy on County Road been dissolved away by percolating status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual 14. Highway map index: L-21. rainwater causing it to collapse. When this watching. for purchase at certain times from park orientation, age or disability. Discrimination inquires should occurs the thin layer of glacial material also staff. Portable stoves or grills are be sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Minnesota permitted. Lake Louise State Park is often referred to collapses into the void creating a sinkhole SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE PARK... Paul, MN 55155-4031; or the Equal of slightly different character than those Opportunity Office, Department of the as an “oasis” in the rich farmland of The park belongs to all Minnesotans.Please Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.” southeastern Minnesota. Many species of commonly found further to the east in Horseback Riders: You can help ensure the DEPARTMENT OF treat it with respect and help us to protect NATURAL RESOURCES wildlife are attracted by the diverse habitat Minnesota’s blufflands. Several of these future of riding at Lake Louise State Park. © 2/2008 by State of Minnesota, it by following the rules: Department of Natural Resources DNR Maps