Lake Louise State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Louise |
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 Lake Louise
Location in Minnesota
Lake Louise
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mower County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 43°31′24″N 092°30′55″W / 43.52333°N 92.51528°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Little Iowa River |
| Primary outflows | Little Iowa River |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
Lake Louise State Park is a fun place to visit in Minnesota. It's a state park located right near the border with Iowa. You can find it close to the small town of Le Roy in Mower County, Minnesota. It's also south of Rochester.
The park has a lake that covers about 25 acres. This lake was made by people. The park also has a large area of land, about 1,168 acres. This land is a mix of open prairie and deciduous forest. Deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves in the fall.
People love to visit Lake Louise State Park for many outdoor activities. You can have picnics, go swimming, or stay overnight by camping. It's also a great spot for hiking and horseback riding. If you love nature, you might enjoy looking for butterflies. Some rare kinds of butterflies have been seen here! The park even has an old picnic shelter built a long time ago.
Park History
Lake Louise State Park has an interesting past. It all started in the late 1850s or early 1860s. A man named Conrad Hambrecht settled near the Upper Iowa River. An earthen dam was later built on the river. This dam created a small lake next to Hambrecht's land.
Conrad Hambrecht really loved this area. He decided to set aside his land for people to enjoy. He later gave this land, which he called Wildwood Park, to the city of Le Roy. He had one condition: it had to always be used as a park.
The first dam was washed away by water. But the people of Le Roy worked together to rebuild it. They named the new lake "Lake Louise" to honor Conrad Hambrecht's sister.
In 1961, people from the area invited state park officials to visit. Everyone agreed that Wildwood Park could become a bigger state park. The land was then given to the state of Minnesota. In 1963, the Lake Louise State Park was officially created by the Minnesota Legislature.
When it first became a state park, it included the lake and about 636 acres of land. Since then, the park has grown even larger. Most visitors to the park are from nearby communities.
Things to Do at Lake Louise
Lake Louise State Park offers many ways to have fun outdoors. It's a great place to spend a day or even a weekend.
Outdoor Activities
- Picnics: There are nice spots to have a picnic with your family and friends.
- Swimming: On hot days, you can cool off by swimming in the lake.
- Camping: If you want to stay longer, you can set up a tent or bring an RV.
- Hiking: Explore the park's trails on foot. You can see different parts of the forest and prairie.
- Horseback Riding: Some trails are perfect for riding horses.
Nature and Wildlife
Lake Louise State Park is a wonderful place to see nature. The park has both open prairie and thick deciduous forests. This mix of habitats means you can find many different plants and animals.
One special thing about the park is its butterflies. Many people come here just to watch them. You might even spot some rare kinds of butterflies flying around. It's a great way to learn about local wildlife.
