- Attraction: Soudan Underground Mine
- Location: 1302 McKinley Park Rd, Soudan, MN 55782
- Industry: Historic Mine
- Website: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00285
Deep beneath Minnesota’s northwoods lies an extraordinary adventure that will take you 2,341 feet underground – nearly half a mile into the earth’s core.
The Soudan Underground Mine, part of Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, stands as Minnesota’s oldest, deepest, and richest iron mine, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the state’s mining heritage that shaped America’s industrial backbone.
This National Historic Landmark operated from 1882 to 1962, producing over 15 million tons of high-grade iron ore so pure that nearly every piece of steel made by U.S. Steel between 1890 and 1940 had some Soudan ore in it.
Today, this engineering marvel offers one of the nation’s most unique underground experiences, where authentic mining equipment still transports visitors through a labyrinth of tunnels that miners carved by hand over eight decades.
Underground Adventure Experience
The Cage Ride: Your journey begins with a thrilling descent in the original 1924 electric mine hoist – a cramped, dimly lit cage that drops you 2,341 feet in just three minutes.
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Keep Exploring →The three-minute cage ride down into the mine is in a dimly lit, closed, confined space, and many visitors describe the ear-popping sensation similar to flying in an airplane.
The authentic hoisting equipment has been expertly maintained, creating an adrenaline-pumping start to your underground adventure.
Underground Train Journey: Once you reach the 27th level, you’ll board vintage mining railcars for a nearly mile-long ride through the tunnels to the Montana stope – the mine’s final working area.
You will journey into the mine on authentic, expertly-maintained hoisting equipment, followed by an underground train ride nearly a mile to the Montana stope, the last working area of the mine.
The train travels through narrow passages where miners once walked daily, giving you an authentic feel for their working conditions.
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Discover MoreThe Mine Environment: The temperature of the mine is a cool, constant 51° F, making it a refreshing escape during hot summer days and requiring warm jackets year-round.
The underground environment feels completely removed from the outside world, with rusty walls and rocky passages that transport you back over a century to when thousands of miners worked these depths.
Historical Storytelling: Throughout the 90-minute tour, knowledgeable guides share captivating stories about mining life, innovations, and the challenging conditions that made this mine famous as the “Cadillac of Underground Mines.”
On the 90-minute tour, visitors hear true stories of the miners and learn firsthand about the working conditions that made this underground iron mine the safest of all the Iron Range mines. You’ll discover how miners used everything from candles to headlights, and from hand tools to electric equipment as technology evolved.
Surface Attractions & Activities
Historic Buildings: The surface facilities provide fascinating glimpses into mining operations with the preserved dry house, drill shop, crusher, and engine house.
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Keep Exploring →Before leaving the property, visitors need to make sure they explore the surface facilities, including the dry house, drill shop, crusher and engine house. These buildings house original equipment and provide context for the massive scale of the mining operation.
Hiking Trails: Over seven miles of hiking trails wind through old-growth pine forests and past the famous Soudan Iron Formation. The mine’s surface buildings and over seven miles of hiking trails are also available to explore.
These trails offer beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness and geological features that tell the story of how iron ore formed in this region.
Lake Vermilion Access: The park’s expansion added nearly 3,000 acres and five miles of Lake Vermilion shoreline, perfect for boating, fishing, and camping. The addition of nearly 3,000 acres and five miles of Lake Vermilion shoreline in 2010 adds even more opportunities to experience the wonders of northern Minnesota.
The lake provides excellent fishing opportunities and scenic beauty that complements the underground experience.
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Discover MoreScience Connection: The mine once housed a cutting-edge physics laboratory where scientists conducted experiments on dark matter and neutrinos. Today, visitors can also tour Soudan’s High Energy Physics Lab, where active experiments study dark matter and sub-atomic particles called neutrinos. While the lab tours are no longer regularly offered, the scientific legacy adds another layer of fascination to this historic site.
Atmosphere & Environment
Underground Ambiance: The mine’s atmosphere is unlike anything else – complete darkness broken only by your guide’s lighting, the constant cool temperature, and the echoing sounds of footsteps and voices in the vast underground chambers.
Inside the historic mine, guests experience the darkness the miners worked in decades ago. The rusty walls and authentic equipment create an immersive time-travel experience that makes you appreciate the incredible human effort required to extract iron ore from these depths.
Seasonal Beauty: The surface park transforms dramatically through the seasons, with fall colors creating a spectacular backdrop for your visit. The old-growth forest surrounding the mine provides a peaceful contrast to the industrial history underground, making it a perfect combination of natural beauty and historical significance.
Educational Environment: The visitor center features informative displays, films, and exhibits that provide context for your underground experience. Above ground, visitors watch a short, well edited film about the area and mining.
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Keep Exploring →The educational components help visitors understand the broader impact of iron mining on Minnesota’s development and America’s industrial growth.
Other Considerations
Pricing & Value: Mine and Science tour prices are $15 (ages 13+), $10 (ages 5 – 12), and no charge for children under 5.
For a 90-minute underground adventure that includes authentic equipment, expert guides, and access to one of the nation’s deepest tourist-accessible mines, the pricing offers exceptional value for this unique experience.
Accessibility: Despite the challenging underground environment, the mine tours are surprisingly accessible.
Other than the Walking Drift Tour, all mine tours are fully accessible. A powered wheelchair is available on a first-come/first-served basis. The park has worked to ensure this historic experience can be enjoyed by visitors with different mobility needs.
Seasonal Operations: Mine tours run daily from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September, and Fridays and Saturdays through the third weekend in October. Surface tours and hiking trails remain accessible year-round, though the underground experience is limited to the warmer months due to operational considerations.
Planning Your Visit: Wear a warm jacket and sturdy boots or shoes as the constant 51-degree temperature and uneven underground surfaces require appropriate clothing. No purses, bags, backpacks or strollers are allowed underground, though you can take photographs during your tour.
Wildlife Viewing: In warmer months, look for bats at dusk at the Alaska shaft, as they leave the mine in search of food. The mine houses one of Minnesota’s largest bat populations, adding another natural element to your visit.
Soudan Underground Mine
📍 1302 McKinley Park Rd, Soudan, MN 55782
