MILLE LACS

KATHIO NORTH STATE PARK Onamia, Isle Miles Kilometers (Grant-in Aid) (Grant-in to Soo Line , to Soo Line 1.5 .9 mi. Please inquire

FACILITIES AND FEATURES . 41 • 20 electric campsites. Special fishing • 2 accessible electric campsites. 55 king M259 r • 19 semi-modern campsites. easy difficult more difficult ail Intersections ail Center Black Bass Lake is a designated Bass Lake Black Heritage Lake. regulations apply at the Park Office. at the Park Snowshoeing Snowmobiling Tr Cross-Country Skiing Information/Office Picnic Area Interpretive Center Tr Campground Group Camp Primitive Campsite Backpack Pa Boat Access Dam Historic/Interpretive Site Camper Cabins

• 26 rustic campsites (showers .9 mi. 54 CILITIES 42

available, 1.5 mile drive). 40 BB 00 WINTER • 3 semi-modern walk-in FA 0.51 1.1 mi. 0.51 campsites.

• 5 camper cabins w/electricity Entrance 1.1 mi. rk

and heat. Pa 35 169

• 10 rustic horse campsites (no 51 M262 showers). .0.3 mi. 26 46

• Primitive group camp 56 26 w/hand pump and vault 45 .0.7 mi.

toilets (60 capacity, no 57 GR

showers) 38 • Bundled firewood, ice, pop. 1.0 mi. 1.7 mi. KT M260 60 5 • Picnic grounds. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park holds historic sites 43 • Modern playground. 44 1 2 4

• Swimming beach. 11 3 61 8 Indian Point St. Cloud State University Cultural and Cultural Cloud State University St. Landscapes Lab Environmental 9 7

• Canoe and rowboat rental. 6 10

12 l trai 13 d

• Cross-country ski and e 70

Snowshoe Trails Snowshoe that begin at the interpretive center trails The snowshoe and 10 frozen have open each winter after the wetlands trails These snowshoe has accumulated. inches of snow are not park hiking trails. until after they on these trails Please do not snowshoe are signed as open and are freshly marked. m o ro g of ’s Past Please Don’t Erase Traces 29

snowshoe rental. 28

27 n u • 2 boat/canoe water accesses SM

(, Shakopee Lake). 14 15 169

• 35 miles of hiking trail. 35 1.5 mi. For more information about Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, Minnesota State Parks information about Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, Minnesota For more site at: access our web and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, www.dnr.state.mn.us Archeological and historical sites hold clues to understanding Minnesota’s past. If disturbed, a part of our heritage will be lost forever. and artifacts that are protected by state and federal laws. If you discover such remains, laws. and artifacts that are protected by state and federal please leave them undisturbed. Report your discoveries to state park personnel.

• 1 mile of self-guided trail. 32 2.2 mi. 24

• 27 miles of horseback trail. 35 l trai ? 33 d

16 e 22 19 • 30 kilometers of cross-country 23 m PETAGA o o • "one way" trails indicated by arrows r g 62

21 n

ski trail. loop u 4.5 mi. 20 CAMPGROUND

to Garrison to • 19 miles of snowmobile trail. 4.2 mi. 2.0 mi. • Modern trail center/winter 34 18 may be hunted annually may

chalet. OGECHIE 1.5 mi. loop 1.5 mi. CAMPGROUND

• Year-round visitor center, .5 mi. loop 69 interpretive center. • 100-foot observation tower 64 Private PropertyPrivate Use Prohibited Public trails) on designated (except

(available in summer only). Indian Tribal Lands M263 ✸ 1.9 mi. Check it out - you'll be glad you did. OOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION OOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION

L egional offices, Minnesota state parks and major Minnesota state parks egional offices,

The DNR has mapped the state showing federal, state and county lands with their recreational facilities. (PRIM) are Information Maps Public Recreation the DNR gift shop, DNR from available for purchase r sporting and map stores. to Harding to FOREST UM RIVER STATE CAUTION: CAUTION: from July 1 through January 31. from July Because lands exist within the boundaries of this park Because lands exist within the of the D.N.R., check that are not under the jurisdiction to use facilities such with the park manager if you plan as trails and roads other than those shown. © 5/2006 by State of Minnesota, R Department of Natural Resources Hundreds of years before Europeans entered the PETAGA CAMPGROUND means “1,000 lakes,” and originally referred to the region, people established permanent villages along Parking Walk-in Sites Toilets region. The word Kathio has a more curious pedigree. the shores of Mille Lacs and the Rum River outlet e Electical Sites Restrooms/Showers Camper Cabins French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur duLhut lakes. The people of the greater Dakota nation who Trash Dumpster 68 (known today as Duluth), referred to the settlements lived in this vicinity were known by the band name Fish Cleaning Bldg. Hiking Trail 69 here as “Izatys,” his phoneticism of a Dakota word. Mdewakanon, a reference to their living near Water 67 This word has also been recorded as Issatis, Isanti, and Overlook To Interp Center, Mdewakan, the Spiritual, or Sacred, Lake. (Mille Lacs) 64 70 Santee. An error in transcribing Duluth’s journal for Picnic Grounds Duluth 65 the publication of a major history book resulted in the The forests, lakes and streams of the area provided C5 • C4 MILLE LACS word “Kathio,” apparently through the reading of the a variety of food sources, and the river offered OGECHIE CAMPGROUND C3 C2 C1 To Park Office KATHIO letters Iz as K, and ys as hio. Regardless, Izatys, or transportation to the nearby prairies for additional 3 Miles 66 STATE PARK Kathio, is the oldest village name preserved in the dietary staples. to Parking & history of the state of Minnesota. Historical Sites / St. Paul The first European to accurately record a visit to the Self-registration • , on the northern border of the park, Station Self-registration To Par k region was Daniel Greysolon, Sieur duLhut (known Station Office is the source of the Rum River, which flows through 26 22 20 18 today as Duluth). On July 2, 1679 Duluth planted the 24 47e 2.5 Miles 42e 44e 45e the park and eventually joins the Mississippi 146 miles flag of France at the Rum River outlet of Mille Lacs, 1 downstream at Anoka. Within the park are two lakes, 16 on the northern boundary of the park. In 1680 Father 39e 40e 2 41e Ogechie and Shakopee, and the rolling hills support 19 17 43e 46e 48e Louis Hennepin also visited the region on behalf of 23 21 abundant wildlife. 25 15 27e France’s King Louis XIV. His book, Description of 37e 29e 11 38e 35e 33e 31e Louisiana, was published in 1683 and included his 3 5 7 9 MILLE LACS For over 9,000 years people have lived in this area. 13 description of a six-month stay at Dakota villages in 49 The Dakota () and later the (Chippewa) 28e the area of the park. 4 12 50 36e 34e 32e 30e 63 KATHIO Indians recognized its natural wealth and made it one 10 61 of their important settlements. Noted as the ancient 6 8 60 The 18th century increasingly became a time of 51 53 58 STATE PARK homeland of the Dakota, the historic 55 62 homeland of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and as a change. By now many bands of Dakota had relocated on the prairies, lakes and rivers of what is now 59 place of early European-American Indian contact, the NORTH 52 FOR MORE INFORMATION To River Access 54 56 57 park is a National Historic Landmark District. southern Minnesota. At the same time, Ojibwe people Mille Lacs Kathio State Park were entering the region from the east. Ojibwe oral 15066 Kathio State Park Road GEOLOGY: The park’s geological history is a story tradition, recorded by historian William Warren, tells wildlife. Hawks, osprey, owls and eagles are common. weapons is prohibited in state parks. Onamia, MN 56359-9534 of immense natural forces at work over thousands of of a massive, three-day “Battle of Kathio” in which • Pets must be restrained on a leash no longer than years. Over 200 species of birds have been observed in the (320) 532-3523 the victorious Ojibwe forever drove the Dakota from park. A bird checklist is available at the Park Office six feet. Pets are not allowed in park buildings. ♦ the area. Archaeologists have not found evidence to or Interpretive Center. White-tailed deer are often • Park in designated areas only. The rolling hills were formed approximately 12,000 • Motor bikes and other licensed vehicles are allowed support this, and suggest that although many small seen browsing at the forest edge. Tracks of raccoon, Department of Natural Resources years ago when a lobe of the Wisconsin glacial advance only on park roads, not on trails. skirmishes may have occurred, Dakota migration was porcupine, otter, pine marten and fisher can be seen Information Center stopped here. • Enjoy park wildlife and plants but please respect well under way when the Ojibwe entered the area. in the snow or soft earth. 500 Lafayette Road them. Do not pick or dig up plants, disturb or feed As the glacier melted, it deposited gravel, rocks and St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 boulders that it had accumulated in its grinding passage The Ojibwe brought their own rich cultural tradition FISHING: Fishing opportunities are available in the animals, or scavenge dead wood. • Build fires only in designated locations—fire rings over the land from the north and east. The resulting with them from the east and settled along the shore Rum River and in Ogechie, Shakopee, Black Bass and (651) 296-6157 (Metro Area) or fireplaces. Wood is available for purchase from land form is referred to as a terminal moraine. of Mille Lacs. Ogechie Lake and other natural areas Mille Lacs lakes. In these waters you will find northern 1-888-646-6367 (MN Toll Free) park staff. Portable stoves or grills are permitted. thus continued to supply the needs of yet another pike, walleye, bass and panfish. Black Bass Lake is a • Daily or annual permits are required for all The glacial debris partially blocked the land’s natural group of people, providing wild rice, fish, waterfowl designated Heritage Lake. Special fishing regulations TDD (Telecommunications vehicles entering a state park. They may be drainage pattern and in effect became a huge dam, and other foods. The Ojibwe continue to live in the apply. Please inquire at the Park Office. Device for Deaf) creating an extensive lake of meltwater—a lake even Mille Lacs region today. purchased at the park headquarters or the (651) 296-5484 (Metro Area) larger than present-day Mille Lacs. This ancient lake INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM: Visitors should check Information Center in St. Paul (see “FOR MORE 1-800-657-3929 (MN Toll Free) had a shoreline 15 feet higher than the present lake. In the 1850s, loggers came to the area. Within 50 years, bulletin boards at park headquarters, interpretive INFORMATION” to left). the vast forest of white and red (Norway) pine had center, campgrounds and picnic grounds for DNR Web Site: www.dnr.state.mn.us ♦ A long period of geological and vegetational succession been cut and floated down the Rum or across Lake scheduled activities, film, and slide programs. A State Parks page: www.mnstateparks.info followed. The Rum River cut its present channel. Ponds Mille Lacs to . Today the park is primarily naturalist conducts organized walks and other and small lakes drained away. Wave and ice action a second-growth forest of aspen, birch, , , activities. School groups and others are encouraged This information is available in built up beach ridges. Drainage patterns and the shapes and other northern hardwoods. A few isolated to arrange special visits and programs with the park alternative format upon request. of lakes altered. Silt and vegetation filled many of the MILLE LACS KATHIO STATE PARK is remnant stands of conifers provide diversity to the naturalist. approximately 80 miles north of the Minneapolis/St. depressions. The present park—its soil, vegetation and landscape and a hint of what the forest looked like a “Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Paul metropolitan area. The main park entrance is one wildlife—is the result of these thousands of years of century ago. SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE PARK. . . constant natural progression. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individ- mile off U.S. Highway 169 on County Road 26. • The park belongs to all Minnesotans. Please treat uals regardless of race, color, creed or religion, national origin, sex, Highway map index: 1-12. (Note: The map index for Much of the park’s natural and cultural history is it with respect and help us to protect it by following marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, the Mille Lacs Wildlife Area is 1-13). HISTORY: Mille Lacs Kathio has a long history of presented at the Interpretive Center in the picnic area. the rules. age or disability. Discrimination inquires should be sent to the Minnesota Department of Natural Re- human occupation and is one of the most Further information on Ojibwe history and culture • The park is open year-round. On a daily basis, the Minnesota Mille Lacs Kathio‚ over 10‚000 acres in size‚ is the archaeologically significant places in Minnesota. So is provided at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum north park gate is closed from 10:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. the sources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155- fourth largest state park in Minnesota. far, 30 sites have been identified, covering over 9,000 of the park on U.S. Highway 169. following morning except to registered campers. 4031; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240 years of habitation. One site, dating from 3,500 years • Camp only in designated locations. What’s in a name? In this case, plenty of history. Mille WILDLIFE: The varied habitats of Mille Lacs Kathio DEPARTMENT OF ago, shows evidence of copper tool manufacture • The use of firearms, explosives, air guns, slingshots, © 5/2006 by State of Minnesota, NATURAL RESOURCES Lacs, a French term used by early explorers and traders, provide homes and food sources for a variety of associated with the “Old Copper Tradition.” traps, seines, nets, bows and arrows, and all other Department of Natural Resources DNR Maps