Moose Lake State Park: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 46°26′30″N 92°44′11″W / 46.44167°N 92.73639°W / 46.44167; -92.73639
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{{Short description|State park in Minnesota, United States}}
{{Geobox|Protected area
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
| name = Moose Lake State Park
{{Infobox protected area
| category = [[List of Minnesota state parks|Minnesota State Park]]
| name = Moose Lake State Park
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[[File:Moose Lake State Park Entrance Sign.jpg|thumb|Moose Lake State Park Entrance Sign]]
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| image caption = Entrance sign to Moose Lake State Park
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| country = United States
| photo = Moose Lake State Park Entrance Sign.jpg
| state = Minnesota
| photo_caption = Entrance sign
| region_type = County
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| region = [[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton]]
| map = USA Minnesota#USA
| location = [[Moose Lake, Minnesota|Moose Lake]]
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| location = [[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton]], Minnesota, United States
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| established = 1971
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[[File:Moose Lake State Park Office.jpg|thumb|Moose Lake State Park Office]]
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'''Moose Lake State Park''' is a [[state park]] of [[Minnesota]], USA, near the city of [[Moose Lake, Minnesota|Moose Lake, MN]] in [[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton County]]. The park is located one-half mile east of [[Interstate 35]] at the 214 exit. The park entrance is off of County Highway 137.
'''Moose Lake State Park''' is a [[state park]] of [[Minnesota]], USA, near the city of [[Moose Lake, Minnesota|Moose Lake, MN]] in [[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton County]]. The park is located one-half mile east of [[Interstate 35]] at the 214 exit. The park entrance is off of County Highway 137.
Moose Lake State Park was established in 1971. In total, the park is 1,194 acres in area. Some of the highlights of the park include 5.5 miles of hiking trails, a 105 acre Echo Lake, wildlife pond, paved trail to [[Moose Lake, Minnesota|Moose Lake, MN]] and [[Willard Munger State Trail]], and '''Agate/Geological Interpretive Center'''; located within the park office.
Moose Lake State Park was established in 1971. In total, the park is 1,194 acres in area. Some of the highlights of the park include 5.5 miles of hiking trails, a 105-acre Echo Lake, wildlife pond, paved trail to [[Moose Lake, Minnesota|Moose Lake]] and [[Willard Munger State Trail]], and '''Agate/Geological Interpretive Center'''; located within the park office.




==Geology==
==Geology==
{{stack|
[[image:Moose Lake State Park AgateGeological Interpretive Center Exhibit.jpg|thumb|left|text-top|225px|Agate/Geological Interpretive Center Exhibit]]
[[File:Moose Lake State Park Office.jpg|thumb|Moose Lake State Park Office]]
The park lies in an area covered by glacial till and outwash deposits dropped by the last glacier as it melted. Large ice blocks which melted after the glacier retreated to make Moosehead and Echo Lakes. The south shore of Moosehead Lake was also the shore of Glacial Lake Nemadji. Due to the glacial flow deposits, [[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton County]] is a good location to search for [[Lake Superior agate|Lake Superior Agates]].<ref>Moose Lake State Park information map, (5/2012) State of Minnesota, MNDNR</ref>
[[image:Moose Lake State Park AgateGeological Interpretive Center Exhibit.jpg|thumb|text-top|225px|Agate/Geological Interpretive Center Exhibit]]
}}
The park lies in an area covered by glacial till and outwash deposits dropped by the last glacier as it melted. Large ice blocks which melted after the glacier retreated to make Moosehead and Echo Lakes. The south shore of Moosehead Lake was also the shore of Glacial Lake Nemadji. Due to the glacial flow deposits, [[Carlton County, Minnesota|Carlton County]] is a good location to search for [[Lake Superior agate|Lake Superior Agates]].<ref>Moose Lake State Park information map, (5/2012) State of Minnesota, MNDNR</ref>


Within the park office is the '''Agate/Geological Interpretive Center'''. The 4,500-square-foot center includes interpretive displays, a multi-purpose classroom, Nature Store gift shop, park offices, a resource workroom, and an exhibition hall that showcases Minnesota's state gemstone, the [[Lake Superior agate|Lake Superior Agate]].
Within the park office is the '''Agate/Geological Interpretive Center'''. The 4,500-square-foot center includes interpretive displays, a multi-purpose classroom, Nature Store gift shop, park offices, a resource workroom, and an exhibition hall that showcases Minnesota's state gemstone, the [[Lake Superior agate|Lake Superior Agate]].


==Vegetation and Wildlife==
==Vegetation and Wildlife==
[[image:Moose Lake State Park Echo Lake.jpg|thumb|left|left|225px|Echo Lake located in Moose Lake State Park]]Much of the original white and red Norway Pine that once blanketed the area is now gone. When the park was established, much of it was made up of old farm fields, just beginning the long process off forest succession. In many of these areas, pine and spruce have been planted to help restore the original forest. Other areas of the park have mature Aspen stands mixed with Basswood, Birch and Maple. <ref>Moose Lake State Park information map, (5/2012) State of Minnesota, MNDNR</ref>
[[image:Moose Lake State Park Echo Lake.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Echo Lake located in Moose Lake State Park]]Much of the original white and red Norway Pine that once blanketed the area is now gone. When the park was established, much of it was made up of old farm fields, just beginning the long process off forest succession. In many of these areas, pine and spruce have been planted to help restore the original forest. Other areas of the park have mature Aspen stands mixed with Basswood, Birch and Maple.<ref>Moose Lake State Park information map, (5/2012) State of Minnesota, MNDNR</ref>


The open areas of the park, along with the mature hardwood stands, combine to provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. There are Beavers, Skunks, Porcupine, and both Franklin and Richardson's Ground Squirrels. There are a variety of bird species including: Trumpeter Swans, Mallard and Wood Ducks, Common Loon, Woodpeckers, Crowned Kinglets, Warblers, Catbirds, and Cedar Waxwings.<ref>Moose Lake State Park Bird Checklist, MNDNR, (March, 2004)</ref>
The open areas of the park, along with the mature hardwood stands, combine to provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. There are [[North American beaver|beaver]]s, [[striped skunk|skunk]]s, [[North American porcupine|porcupine]], and both Franklin and Richardson's Ground Squirrels. There are a variety of bird species including: [[Trumpeter Swan]]s, Mallard and Wood Ducks, Common Loon, Woodpeckers, Crowned Kinglets, Warblers, Catbirds, and Cedar Waxwings.<ref>Moose Lake State Park Bird Checklist, MNDNR, (March, 2004)</ref>


Walleye are found in Moosehead Lake. Panfish are common in Echo Lake. Both lakes have been stocked in the past with Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass.
Walleye are found in Moosehead Lake. Panfish are common in Echo Lake. Both lakes have been stocked in the past with Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass.
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/moose_lake/index.html Moose Lake State Park]
* [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/moose_lake/index.html Moose Lake State Park]

{{CarltonCountyMN-geo-stub}}
{{Protected Areas of Minnesota}}
{{Protected areas of Minnesota}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:1971 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in Minnesota]]
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[[Category:Museums in Carlton County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Museums in Carlton County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Natural history museums in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Natural history museums in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Geology museums in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 05:58, 2 August 2023

Moose Lake State Park
Entrance sign
Map showing the location of Moose Lake State Park
Map showing the location of Moose Lake State Park
Location of Moose Lake State Park in Minnesota
Map showing the location of Moose Lake State Park
Map showing the location of Moose Lake State Park
Moose Lake State Park (the United States)
LocationCarlton, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates46°26′30″N 92°44′11″W / 46.44167°N 92.73639°W / 46.44167; -92.73639
Area1,194 acres (4.83 km2)
Established1971
Governing bodyMinnesota Department of Natural Resources

Moose Lake State Park is a state park of Minnesota, USA, near the city of Moose Lake, MN in Carlton County. The park is located one-half mile east of Interstate 35 at the 214 exit. The park entrance is off of County Highway 137. Moose Lake State Park was established in 1971. In total, the park is 1,194 acres in area. Some of the highlights of the park include 5.5 miles of hiking trails, a 105-acre Echo Lake, wildlife pond, paved trail to Moose Lake and Willard Munger State Trail, and Agate/Geological Interpretive Center; located within the park office.

Geology[edit]

Moose Lake State Park Office
Agate/Geological Interpretive Center Exhibit

The park lies in an area covered by glacial till and outwash deposits dropped by the last glacier as it melted. Large ice blocks which melted after the glacier retreated to make Moosehead and Echo Lakes. The south shore of Moosehead Lake was also the shore of Glacial Lake Nemadji. Due to the glacial flow deposits, Carlton County is a good location to search for Lake Superior Agates.[1]

Within the park office is the Agate/Geological Interpretive Center. The 4,500-square-foot center includes interpretive displays, a multi-purpose classroom, Nature Store gift shop, park offices, a resource workroom, and an exhibition hall that showcases Minnesota's state gemstone, the Lake Superior Agate.

Vegetation and Wildlife[edit]

Echo Lake located in Moose Lake State Park

Much of the original white and red Norway Pine that once blanketed the area is now gone. When the park was established, much of it was made up of old farm fields, just beginning the long process off forest succession. In many of these areas, pine and spruce have been planted to help restore the original forest. Other areas of the park have mature Aspen stands mixed with Basswood, Birch and Maple.[2]

The open areas of the park, along with the mature hardwood stands, combine to provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. There are beavers, skunks, porcupine, and both Franklin and Richardson's Ground Squirrels. There are a variety of bird species including: Trumpeter Swans, Mallard and Wood Ducks, Common Loon, Woodpeckers, Crowned Kinglets, Warblers, Catbirds, and Cedar Waxwings.[3]

Walleye are found in Moosehead Lake. Panfish are common in Echo Lake. Both lakes have been stocked in the past with Northern Pike, Walleye, and Largemouth Bass.

Recreation[edit]

The park has rentable fishing equipment, birding kits, activity kits for children, rowboats, canoes, and kayaks. There are 5.5 miles of hiking trails that go through tall pines, a wildlife observation area, or next to Echo Lake. Within the day-use area, there are picnic tables, horseshoe pits, swimming beach, boat access, and fishing pier on Echo Lake. For bike riding, there is a widened shoulder of County Highway 137 that takes you to the park's paved spur-trail that takes you to the Willard Munger State Trail. Winter recreation includes ice-fishing, hiking, snowmobile and cross-country ski trails.

There are 35 semi-modern campsites at the park; of which, 20 have electricity to the campsites and 2 are walk-in sites. The park also has a rustic group campsite. Entry to the park requires a Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permit.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Moose Lake State Park information map, (5/2012) State of Minnesota, MNDNR
  2. ^ Moose Lake State Park information map, (5/2012) State of Minnesota, MNDNR
  3. ^ Moose Lake State Park Bird Checklist, MNDNR, (March, 2004)

External links[edit]