Grindstone Lake (Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grindstone Lake |
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 Grindstone Lake
Location in Minnesota
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| Location | Pine County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46°07′19″N 093°00′27″W / 46.12194°N 93.00750°W |
| Lake type | freshwater |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | approx. 2 mi (3.2 km) |
| Max. width | approx. 0.5 mi (0.80 km) |
| Surface area | 528.18 acres (213.75 ha) |
| Max. depth | 153 ft (47 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,094.5 ft (333.6 m) |
Grindstone Lake is a large freshwater lake located in Pine County, in east-central Minnesota. It is about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) west of the town of Sandstone, Minnesota. The lake has an oval shape, stretching about 2 miles (3.2 km) from north to south and 0.5 miles (0.80 km) from east to west. It is also quite deep, reaching a maximum of 153 feet (47 m).
Small streams flow into Grindstone Lake from nearby wetlands. The lake is considered the starting point, or "headwater," for the Grindstone River.
What's in a Name?
The name Grindstone Lake comes from the Ojibwe words zhiigwanaabikokaa-zaaga'igan. This means "Lake abundant with grind stones." Long ago, people used sandstone found near the lake to make sharpening stones. These stones were used to sharpen tools and weapons.
Early Maps of the Lake
Grindstone Lake, along with the North Fork Grindstone River and the lower part of the Grindstone River, appeared on an important map from 1757. This map was called the Mitchell Map. It helped people understand the geography of the area a long time ago.
Fun at Grindstone Lake
Grindstone Lake is a very popular spot for vacations and outdoor activities. Many people from the Minneapolis-St. Paul area own cabins here or visit for holidays.
Activities and Centers
The lake offers several interesting features:
- It has a sea plane base. This is where planes that can land on water take off and land.
- There is a religious summer camp where kids and teens can spend time learning and having fun.
- A nature education center is also located near the lake. This center helps visitors learn about the local plants, animals, and environment.
