Lake Vermilion State Park is located in the Arrowhead region of north central Minnesota near Tower and Ely.

How to Get to Lake Vermilion State Park: Drive 2 miles east of Tower and follow the signs to the Soudan Underground Mine State Park entrance.

The park is on the eastern shores of Lake Vermilion, adjacent to Soudan Underground Mine State Park, and just south of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.  

There are many beautiful resorts here; check them out on the Cook, Minnesota page.

Enjoy Lake Vermilion's 40,000 acres of water in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region with a stay in one of these Lake Vermilion vacation rentals.

Park Highlights: Lake Vermilion State Park is the first major state park created in Minnesota in more than 30 years. The purchase of the land was finalized in June 2010, and the park will be developed in stages. As of this writing, these projects are in design or development:

• Stage One: Boat docks, fishing platforms, picnic shelters, roads, parking areas, and a paved bike route that will connect to the Mesabi Trail will be among the features developed in the next two years. Plans also call for four camper cabins to be built in the adjacent Soudan Underground Mine State Park.
• Stage Two: This stage involves creation of a visitor center, trail system, and group camp, as well as hike-in and boat-in campsites. A Heritage Center, featuring the history of mining in the area, is planned at Soudan Underground Mine State Park.

Lake Vermilion’s Natural Attractions: Lake Vermilion is the fifth largest lake in Minnesota, and one of the most scenic lakes in the United States.  With its 40,000 acres of water, 365 islands, and 1200 miles of shoreline, it stretches 40 miles across the heart of Minnesota's Arrowhead Region.

Things to Do in Lake Vermilion State Park: Hiking trails into the park presently originate from Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The main trail, the Alaska Shaft trail, starts near the Alaska Shaft. This is the only marked and officially developed trail in the park. There are many other trails; however, they are not developed and marked, so please proceed with caution.

Lake Vermilion Vacation Rentals

Tourists are drawn by Lake Vermilion's reputation as a fishing destination, as well as its setting in the northern Minnesota wilderness. Fish for trophy-size walleye, northern, muskie, small mouth bass, crappie, perch, and bluegill.

Camping in Lake Vermilion State Park:  

There are three temporary boat-in campsites available that include a fire ring, bear box, and vault toilet. Drinking water is not available; you will need to bring your own. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call the park office at 218-753-2245 with any questions and for updates on park development and amenities.  

Prepare for any camping excursion with our camping equipment checklist.

More Attractions in This Region: Visit the adjacent Soudan Underground Mine State Park to learn about the history of mining in the area. Stop by in Cook, Minnesota. Visit Ely, the gateway to the Boundary Waters area. Visit Voyageurs National Park.

Other State Parks in This Region of Minnesota: Soudan Underground Mine State Park > Bear Head Lake State Park > McCarthy Beach State Park > Scenic State Park

Contact 
PO Box 335
1379 Stuntz Bay Road
Soudan, MN 55782

Phone: 218-753-2245

Email: SoudanMine.StatePark@state.mn.us

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