Stand on top of the scenic glacial hills and
experience the vast, open prairie which once dominated Minnesota. Wildflowers
and prairie grasses blanket the landscape from spring through fall. Swim, fish
or boat (electric motors only) in the fresh, clear waters of 56-acre Mountain
Lake. A shady, spacious campground is available; horseback riders and backpack
campers can camp at the trail center and at remote sites. Canoe rental
available. A picnic area deck overlooks Mountain Lake.Quick stats:
2,423 acres
47,323 annual visits
8,565 overnight visits
Naturalist:
Wildlife
Many species of prairie and woodland birds make their home at Glacial Lakes.
Take the Prairie-Woodland Interpretive Trail or visit marshland areas to see a
variety of bird and mammal life. Squirrels, deer, beaver, wood ducks, raccoons,
pileated woodpeckers and occasionally coyotes can be seen.
History
Glacial Lakes was established as a state park in 1963 to preserve the rolling
prairies of the area, the comparatively pristine condition of the land its rich
prairie flora. The park preserves a special kind of landform and was an
important addition to the Minnesota state park system.
Geology
Glacial Lakes State Park is located in western Minnesota in a geological area
commonly known as the Leaf Hills. This region, a 10- to 19-mile-wide band of
glacial hills unlike any other in the state, extends from Detroit Lakes to
Willmar. As glacial ice advanced southward, hills and bluffs were sheared off
down to the bedrock. When the ice retreated, it deposited the rocks, gravel and
dirt once suspended within it.
Landscape
The park is located at a crossroads or transition zone between the original
prairie land to the west and the central hardwood forests to the east. Only
about 1/10 of 1 percent of the original Minnesota prairie remains. The park
preserves a portion of rare native prairie including a wide variety of grasses
and forbs such as the big and little bluestem grass, Indian grass, prairie
clover, pasque flowers, coneflowers, and goldenrods. Common prairie shrubs
include wolfberry and rose. Check at the park office to see what wildflowers
might be in bloom during your visit. Enjoy the clear and clean 56-acre Mountain
Lake that has its entire watershed inside the park.
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