George H. Crosby Manitou State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids George H. Crosby Manitou State Park |
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Rugged backpacking trails traverse the inland North Shore Highlands
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 George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
Location in Minnesota
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lake, Minnesota, United States |
| Area | 6,682 acres (27.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,391 ft (424 m) |
| Established | 1955 |
| Governing body | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a special state park in Minnesota, USA. It's found on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. The park is located between Tettegouche State Park and Temperance River State Park. It's also close to the small towns of Little Marais and Finland. The Manitou River flows through the park. This park was purposely kept mostly wild and undeveloped.
Contents
Park History and Purpose
This park was created thanks to a generous gift from George H. Crosby. In 1955, he donated about 3,320 acres (13 km2) of land. The park is named after both Mr. Crosby and the Manitou River. A big decision was made to keep the park very natural. This means it doesn't have regular campgrounds like most parks. Instead, it only has special campsites for backpackers.
Minnesota's First Backpacking Park
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park was the very first park in Minnesota designed just for backpackers. It still focuses on this type of outdoor adventure today. This makes it a unique place for those who love to explore the wilderness on foot.
Wildlife in the Park
The park is home to many different kinds of animals. You might see large mammals like timber wolves, black bears, and moose.
Birds and Smaller Animals
Many birds also live here, including impressive peregrine falcons and golden eagles. Smaller animals like raccoons, Canadian lynxes, and kestrels are also part of the park's ecosystem. You might even spot a snowshoe hare or a beaver. Other common animals include bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and various types of hawks.
Forest Dwellers
Animals like fishers, martens, grouse, red squirrels, and Canada jays thrive in the park's forests. Different species of bats also make their homes here.
Park Landscape and Nature
Because the park is mostly undeveloped, it has many miles of untouched forests. These forests are filled with fir, cedar, spruce, and northern hardwood trees. The Manitou River itself has exciting waterfalls, called cataracts, to the north of the park. Bensen Lake is also a beautiful feature, located across the southwest ridge of the river valley.
