Funding Source
General Obligation Bonds
Lake Vermilion: park development
2018 Legislative Outcome
| Amount Requested | Amount Funded |
| $13 million | $4 million |
Final Bill » Law
Bonding Bill H.F.No. 4425
Session Law Chapter 214: Article 1: Capital Improvement Appropriations: Section 7: Natural Resources
Final Language in Law
Subd. 10. Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park $4,000,000
For development of Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, including designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the Lake Lodge Visitor Center at Armstrong Bay, the Murray Spur campground site and nearby infrastructure, and renewable energy facilities in the park, and for repair and reconstruction of the mine shaft at the Soudan Underground Mine.
Proposed Project Overview
Continue to develop Minnesota’s newest state park. This development includes the construction of the Lodge Visitor Center, Murray Campground, a solar plant to provide renewable energy for the park, a trailhead for a hiking trail to Jasper Peak, and associated roads and parking.
2018 Identified Need
$13 million
Project Impact
In 2008, Lake Vermilion was established as Minnesota’s newest state park, protecting the highly scenic land around 5 miles of Lake Vermilion shoreline. The park abuts Soudan Underground Mine State Park, which provides a unique cultural experience of touring a former mine site, and was officially joined with this park as one unit a few years ago. This project would solidify this park as a premiere destination and landmark for the next generation of Minnesotans.
Project Support
This project was identified by the MnDNR as a priority.
Bill Status: Passed & Signed
Bonding bill (4425) signed by Gov. Dayton on May 30, 2018 includes the following language pertaining to this project:
$4,000,000 — For development of Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, including designing, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the Lake Lodge Visitor Center at Armstrong Bay, the Murray Spur campground site and nearby infrastructure, and renewable energy facilities in the park, and for repair and reconstruction of the mine shaft at the Soudan Underground Mine.