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A combination of refuges, public management areas, a state park and private
lands along the Minnesota River form one of the largest intact river
ecosystems in the United States. The 62,000 acres of managed wetland,
woodland and virgin prairie provide an excellent environment for wildlife
and native vegetation.
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| Lac qui Parle
State Park |
 The
state park has 65 semi-modern campsites (22 with electricity),
showers and flush toilets, primitive group camps (50 capacity),
horseback riders group camp (100 capacity) with an open shelter,
33 picnic sites, swimming beach, drive-in boat launch to Lac
qui Parle Lake, 6 miles of hiking trail, 6 miles of horseback
riding trails, 5 miles of ski trail, trailer sanitation dump
station, canoe access to Lac qui Parle River, and public telephone.
Fishing is a popular year-round activity on Lac qui Parle
Lake. |
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Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area |
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 Lac
qui Parle WMA lies in Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle
and Swift Counties. It is about 25 miles long, 1 to 3 miles
wide, and encompasses more than 31,000 acres or over 48
square miles of land and water. Made up of wetlands, brushlands,
woodlands, native prairie, and other grasslands and cropland.
Lac qui Parle Lake (6,400 acres) and Marsh lake (5,100 acres)
are the most prominent features.
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| Area Geology |
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 Receding
waters from glacial Lake Agassiz expose 3.8 billion-year-old red granite
out-croppings all along the region's stretch of the Minnesota River. This
is the oldest exposed rock in North America.
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| Salt Lake Wildlife Management |
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Salt Lake is a divisional saline lake between Minnesota
and South Dakota. In the spring, the lake attracts many species of birds, especially
waterfowl and shorebirds. The lake has become a popular place for nature enthusiasts,
especially birdwatchers. An unusual variety of plants, adapted to a saline environment are
found along the lake’s shores. From Madison go west on Hwy. 40, 11 1/2 miles, turn
south at Salt Lake sign, go 3 miles south, go west one mile. |
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| Native Virgin
Prairie |
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Little remains of the once common
tall grass prairies of Minnesota. These seas of grass once covered 18-20 million acres of
our state, where today less than 1% (180,000 acres) remain. Tall grass prairies are
comprised of an abundance of grasses that typically grow three or more feet tall.
Including Big and Little Bluestem, Grama Grass, Indian Grass, Switch Grass and Prairie
Cord Grass. Shorter grasses and sedges are common, as are many flowering plants. |
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| Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge |
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The 10,000 acre Big Stone National
Wildlife Refuge features car and bike tour routes and foot trails. Hiking the
granite outcroppings provides ventures into plant, stone, and wildlife study. Plants as
rare as ball cactus can be readily found in this area.
 Located just south of Ortonville on Highways 7 & 75, the refuge offers a
hard-surfaced 9.3 mile auto tour route. Groomed hiking trails begin at the edge of the
parking lot. A public canoe access is also available and wildlife is abundant.
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| Big Stone State Park |
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Big Stone State Park is one park but
located in two areas, both on Big Stone Lake and accessed by Highway 7. The Meadowbrook
Area has a public lake access, electrical hookups and water, modern showers and bathrooms,
and group facilities.
The Bonanza Area is set aside for naturalist interests and provides primitive camping
for groups only. This area features rare virgin prairie and is home to the Bonanza
Environmental Center, staffed and maintained by a core of area school districts.
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