SOUDAN — Underground mine tours at the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Mine State Park will resume Memorial Day weekend, two years after flooding closed the tours indefinitely.
The closure for flooding beginning in 2024 followed a two-year restoration project that also prevented the public from touring the underground mines.
The Soudan Underground Mine tours include traveling more than 2,000 feet down to the 27th level of the mine via a hoist, followed by an underground train ride to the Montana stope, the last working area of the mine.
“You'll travel by cage on authentic, expertly maintained hoisting equipment. Once underground, you'll board a train and ride nearly a mile to the last and deepest area that was mined,” states a tour description on the park’s website.
“Hear true stories of the miners, innovations and safety improvements, and learn firsthand about the working conditions that made this underground iron mine known as the ‘Cadillac of Mines.’”
Due to space limitations, tickets are required for everyone, including children. The Soudan mine operated from 1882 to 1962, becoming a state park in 1965.
-
Plus: An Orr man was charged with two felonies for shooting a firefighting plane; and the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce recognized area businesses at its annual luncheon almost a year after the derecho. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicMark Smith, 66, died Thursday, May 21, 2026, after hitting a deer near Hill City in southern Itasca County while riding a dirt bike. -
Plus: Red Lake Nation residents cast ballots for the tribal council election; and bipartisan housing legislation made it across the finish line in the divided Legislature.
-
Contributed/Max Nesterak / Minnesota ReformerFifteen people are charged with targeting over $90M across Medicaid programs aimed at helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people, children with autism and disabled people. -
As Bemidji Area Schools mediates with its bargaining units after a spring of budget cuts, Bemidji bus drivers and their supporters urged the Board for their support. -
Contributed/DSGW ArchitectureThe May 20, 2026, Tribal Council election resulted in four runoff elections set to take place in July and featured some very close contests in the sovereign nation. -
Ekaterina Bolovtsova via PexelsThe plea agreement for Cyndy Martin includes 364 days in jail, which is a downward departure from sentencing guidelines for the felony charge. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerAimee Bock, 41, was convicted for her role in the $242 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which has so far led to 70 indictments and 60 convictions. -
Contributed/Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office Drone TeamThe Minnesota Incident Command Team turned over command of the fire to Crow Wing County authorities on May 21, 2026. -
Plus: Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County nearing 100% containment; and Pequot Lakes Patriotics are once again the robotics state champions.
