Interstate State Park
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INTERSTATE Because lands exist within the boundaries of this TAYLORS 87 ST. CROIX park that are not under the jurisdiction of the FALLS D.N.R., check with the park manager if you plan FALLS 95 STATE PARK to use facilities such as trails and roads other than those shown. 82 FACILITIES AND 8 FEATURES Entrance to Wisconsin’s Interstate Park 35 to DRESSER • 37 semi-modern campsites ITY R C (22 with electricity) TE EN TAYLORS • Trailer sanitation station, to C FALLS flush toilets, and showers Bench Street • Primitive group camp (ca- to Railroad Trail pacity 100) First Street • Nature Store to Railroad Trail • Picnic area with 2 shelters iles Tour (1 open, 1 enclosed) and 1.5 m TA Trail, ESO Boat ilroad INN SIN Ra M ON Tickets 175 tables WISC Street Government • Canoe rental 1 mile 95 iles Historic 8 Detail of Pothole Area Train Depot River Trail, 1.25 m • Drive-in water access Upper Tour • 4 miles of hiking trail Boat • Visitor center Landing Sandstone Bluffs Trail nd Park Boundary la VISITOR FAVORITES Is NORTH om ols F 0 500 1000 Feet • Canoeing and canoe rental oix River 0.1.2.3 r Kilometers • Rock climbing St. C • Excursion boats Lost restrooms Potholes ail Trail • Hiking r T • Dalles of the St. Croix HIKING TRAILS Boat Ramp Visitor Center 8 • Glacial potholes Canoe Rental Handicapped Accessible Baby Potholes Railroad Railroad Interpretive drinking Overlook Kiosk Self-Guided Interpretive fountain Secondary Trails Tour Boat FACILITIES Historic Building to STILLWATER Vault Toilet Lily Pond Information/Office Bottomless Pit River Trail Campground Restrooms Private Property Bake Oven MINNESOTAISCONSIN Parking LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ? W Public Use Prohibited The trail to Highway Overlook, Squeeze The DNR has mapped the state showing federal, Picnic Area Campground and Picnic Area state and county lands with their recreational PHYSICAL FEATURES facilities. Angle Rock Public Recreation Information Maps (PRIM) are Visitor Center available for purchase from the DNR gift shop, DNR Potholes Shadow Rock regional offices, Minnesota state parks and major Trailer Sanitation Station Caldron sporting and map stores. Giant Potholes Check it out - you'll be glad you did. Primitive Group Camp Lower Tour St. Croix River Boat Landing © 5/2009 by State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources GEOLOGY: The geology of Interstate State Park con- valley’s vast forests of white pine were highly prized tains some of the most outstanding and unique geo- for their lumber. The St. Croix River was used to INTERSTATE STATE PARK 95 23 logical features to be found anywhere in Minnesota. transport logs from the valley’s forests to the sawmills CAMPGROUND downstream. The Dalles of the St. Croix may best be 8 About 1.1 billion years ago the North American conti- remembered for the immense log jams that formed 24e nent began to tear into two parts along a line from between the high basalt cliffs. The largest jam occurred 26 present-day Lake Superior south, to what is now Iowa. in 1886, when over seven miles of logs clogged the 22e NORTH 25e Duluth Huge flows of lava erupted from the widening cracks, river upstream from what is now Interstate State Park. • hardening into a strong, dark-grey rock called 29 27e ad 20e basalt. The scenic, towering cliffs at Interstate State Long before Interstate State Park was established in o rail R T 21 Park are made of this basalt rock. 1895, the Dalles of the St. Croix was a natural attraction 28e 19e for thousands of visitors. Steamboat service to Taylors ce 30 INTERSTATE an 600 to 500 million years ago, this region of Minnesota Falls began in 1838, and the railroad came to town in ntr iver STATE PARK E R • was gradually covered by an encroaching sea. The 1880. Iron mooring rings set in the rock along the river 17e Minneapolis/ sand and silt deposited by the seas was compressed and the remains of a railroad trestle remind visitors St. Paul TRAILS 31e 18 and hardened over time to form sandstones and shales. of the steamboats and trains that once brought visitors ark 16e These sedimentary rocks are found in the park and to the area. P Hiking nearby areas. WILDLIFE: Visitors will find a surprising diversity of FACILITIES 15e In some areas, the ocean waves pounded high outcrops habitat in this small park. A hike through the park will 14 of basalt, loosening rocks which fell into the sea and reveal maple-basswood forest, oak savanna, white Trailer Dump Station 33 32e INTERSTATE 12e 13 were covered by sand. The rock and sand hardened pine forest, prairie, floodplain forest, and basalt bald Restrooms/Showers to form a sedimentary rock known as a conglomerate. habitats. STATE PARK e Electrical Sites 34e 11e As the global climate cooled, several glaciers pushed These habitats support a great variety of wildlife. Many FOR MORE INFORMATION across Minnesota. The first glacier formed about one types of rare and endangered species are found at Water 9e Picnic Area, 35e 10 million years ago, the last melted about 10,000 years Interstate State Park, including native cactus! Park Office Interstate State Park 37 8e P.O. Box 254 ago. As the last glacier thawed, its torrent of meltwater Underlined site numbers 36e rushed south, carving a wide valley which is now The park is an excellent birding spot during spring Taylors Falls, MN 55084 are RESERVABLE 1e 7e known as the St. Croix Valley. Only the very resistant and fall migrations. Several trails in the park are 2e (651) 465-5711 basalts were able to partially withstand the floodwaters, excellent listening points for early morning birdsongs ♦ B leaving behind the magnificent Dalles of the St. Croix and evening owl-calling. C oat R anoe R 6 River. Department of Natural Resources am 5 River Spring wildflowers carpet the St. Croix Valley from ental 3 Information Center p, 4 St. Croix Interstate State Park’s most outstanding resource may mid-April through May. The Sandstone Bluffs Trail is 500 Lafayette Road be the immense holes that formed in the bedrock when one of the best spring wildflower walks in the region. St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 the Glacial St. Croix River rushed through the area. Giant whirlpools formed in the turbulent river, blasting Such varied wildlife and superlative scenery make WINTER FACILITIES: The northern end of the park and or fireplaces. Wood is available for purchase from (651) 296-6157 (Metro Area) a vortex of sand and silt-laden water against the bed- Interstate State Park an excellent area for everyone the campground are open each winter to walk-in traffic. park staff. Portable stoves or grills are permitted. 1-888-646-6367 (MN Toll Free) rock. The holes these whirlpools carved are called that enjoys beauty in nature. Parking is available by the park office and by the boat •Daily or annual permits are required for all vehicles glacial potholes. Interstate State Park contains more ramp. Vault toilets are available year-round near the entering a state park. They may be purchased at TDD (Telecommunications glacial potholes in a smaller area than any other location INTERPRETIVE PROGRAM: The Visitor Center features boat ramp. the park headquarters or the Information Center Device for Deaf) in the world. With a depth of over 60 feet, the world’s information on the area’s geologic, historic, natural in St. Paul (see ”FOR MORE INFORMATION“ at deepest explored glacial pothole is the Bottomless Pit. and scenic resources. It is open seasonally from Me- SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY THE PARK . (651) 296-5484 (Metro Area) left). 1-800-657-3929 (MN Toll Free) morial Day to Labor Day. An interpretive kiosk near • The park belongs to all Minnesotans. Please treat HISTORY: ♦ Humans lived in the St. Croix Valley at least the visitor center highlights the history and attractions it with respect and help us to protect it by following DNR Web Site: www.dnr.state.mn.us 6,000 years ago. Here, attracted by the many plants in the Taylors Falls area. the rules. This information is available in State Parks page: www.mnstateparks.info and animals, many cultures of American Indians made alternative format upon request. their home. Evidence of their life here has been found The Glacial Pothole Trail takes you through one of the • The park is open year-round. On a daily basis, the in the park. most unique geologic areas in the world! It begins near park is closed from 10:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. INTERSTATE STATE PARK is located in Minnesota “Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs the Visitor Center and includes interpretive signs •Camp only in designated locations. 45 miles northeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul on the The first European explorer to visit the area was prob- explaining the natural processes that formed the pot- of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available southern edge of the city of Taylors Falls along the St. ably Daniel Greysolon Sieur Duluth in 1680. The St. holes. Don’t miss it. • The use of firearms, explosives, air guns, slingshots, to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed or religion, Croix River. The park entrance is located on U.S. Croix River was to become an important route of trade traps, seines, nets, bows and arrows, and all other national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public Highway 8. Highway map index: L-15. and travel over the next few centuries. Several fur Other self-guided interpretive trails include the River, weapons is prohibited in state parks.