- Why did the park close?
Active iron ore mining is planned to resume at the property in 2025. Site preparation and planning will begin in 2024. Hill Annex Mine State Park was abolished as a state park by the Minnesota State Legislature in 2024, which was signed by Governor Walz.
- How was Hill Annex Mine State Park different from other state parks?
Hill Annex Mine State Park was unique. The state park was legislatively authorized in 1988 after a downturn in mining and the closure of the mine in 1978. The original legislative language establishing the state park recognized the site's School Trust mineral status and future mining potential, and specifically preserved the path to return to active mining. DNR operated the state park on an annual surface lease, but DNR does not own the land under the park.
There were no campgrounds or recreational trails commonly seen at most state parks.
- What will happen to the land?
The land is not owned by DNR. The land is School Trust Land and 80% of all proceeds from state leases and mineral royalties at the site will go to the Permanent School Trust Fund for the benefit of K-12 public schools in Minnesota.
When mining concludes and mineral leases are no longer in place, the site will be evaluated for potential future uses in collaboration with community partners.
- What will happen to the mining exhibits in the museum?
The DNR, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) and community partners are discussing how to preserve artifacts in the former park's Clubhouse Museum so they may be enjoyed by the public at a new location. Local planning is ongoing, and a decision has not yet been made on a location.
- Can the public use the mine overlook?
No. The mine overlook is in an area where the pit wall is eroding. For safety reasons, there is no access to the viewing platform.
- I've heard there has been vandalism at the park. What will happen to the old buildings?
There has been extensive and costly vandalism to the park's interior, and it is no longer safe for public access. We are working with the State Historic Preservation Office on a historic mitigation plan to document the site conditions and preserve its history.
The Clubhouse Museum near the gate is still intact and we are working with the local community to preserve those museum mining exhibits at a new location where they can remain accessible to the public.
- I'm a member of the Minnesota state parks Passport Club. Can I still complete the club without the Hill Annex Mine State Park passport stamp?
Yes. Passport Club members will not need the Hill Annex Mine State Park stamp to complete their passports.
For those looking to get the Hill Annex Mine State Park passport stamp as a souvenir, a copy of the stamp is temporarily located at the DNR regional headquarters in Grand Rapids, and another is at Scenic State Park near Bigfork.
- Is there anything left worth mining at this site?
The School Trust Lands at the site hold significant mineral potential in ore stockpiles, a historic tailings basin, and in-ground mineral reserves.
Reprocessing previously mined materials such as tailings or stockpiles is called scram mining. Using modern technology, additional ore units can be extracted - often using less energy and equipment than traditional in-ground mining.
Long-term leases for in-ground iron ore are also present at the site.
- Will there be environmental review of the mining?
Scram mining (mining of existing mineral stockpiles) does not traditionally require environmental review. Any future in-ground mining must follow all applicable requirements for environmental review and permitting.
- What about the fish in the mine pit water?
The mine pit is not a fishery, and the site does not have a public water access.
- Will the DNR replace this state park?
This state park was originally established to highlight historic mining operations at a historic site. When mining concludes and mineral leases are no longer in place, the site will be evaluated in collaboration with community partners for potential future uses.
The state continues to highlight historic mining at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park.