Natural & Man-Made Tourist Attractions in Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse

• Storm-related shipwrecks in the waters of Lake Superior resulted in the construction of the Split Rock Lighthouse, which was completed in 1910. The lighthouse underwent restoration from 2008 through 2009. The lighthouse's centennial will be celebrated in 2010. Four of the lighthouse complex’s historic buildings are open to the public including the lighthouse, the keeper’s home, the fog signal building and the oil house. The lighthouse’s lantern room offers panoramic views of Lake Superior. The site is open to visitors from May 15 through October 15.

  Split Rock Lighthouse
  3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd
  Two Harbors, MN 55616
  218-226-6372
  mnhs.org

Jeffers Petroglyphs

• Amid the grasses of the southwestern Minnesota prairie, the Jeffers Petrogylphs Historic Site consists of more than 2,000 Native American images carved into an outcrop of Sioux quartzite known as Red Rock Ridge. The carvings, the oldest of which are believed to be between 7,000 and 9,000 years old, depict human and animal figures and weaponry. The site is open to visitors Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

  Jeffers Petroglyphs
  27160 County Road 2
  Comfrey, MN 56019
  507-628-5591
  mnhs.org

Itasca State Park

• Itasca State Park consists of more than 32,000 acres surrounding Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River. The park was established in 1891, making it the oldest of Minnesota’s 66 state parks. In addition to wading in the headwaters of North America’s largest river and posing with the headwater monument, visitors can also expand their knowledge of local history by visiting the Itasca Indian Cemetery and Weggman’s Cabin, two landmarks located within the park.

  Itasca State Park
  36750 Main Park Drive
  Park Rapids, MN 56470
  218-699-7251
  dnr.state.mn.us

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

• Forestville State Park encompasses the longest public cave in Minnesota, which is known as the Mystery Cave. The cave features a variety of geological formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and underground pools. Visitors can tour the cave during the spring and on weekends during the summer and fall. The temperature inside the cave is 48 degrees F year-round. Above ground, a restored 19th-century midwestern village serves as a living museum.

  Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
  21071 County 118
  Preston, MN 55965
  507-352-5111
  dnr.state.mn.us