List of National Natural Landmarks in Minnesota facts for kids

Minnesota is home to some truly special natural places! These are called National Natural Landmarks. They are areas recognized by the United States government because they have unique natural features. These features might be amazing landforms, rare plants, or special ecosystems. There are 8 of these incredible landmarks in Minnesota.

Amazing Natural Places in Minnesota

Ancient River Warren Channel

Imagine a giant river that was much bigger than any river today! The Ancient River Warren Channel is a huge valley carved by the Glacial River Warren during the last Ice Age. This massive river formed as a giant glacial lake drained thousands of years ago. It's a fantastic example of how powerful ice and water can shape the land. This channel even stretches into South Dakota.

• When it was recognized: 1966
• Where it is: Big Stone County
• Who owns it: It's a mix of state and private land.

Cedar Creek Natural History Area

The Cedar Creek Natural History Area is a very special spot where three different types of natural environments meet. These are called biomes. Here, you can find tall grass prairie (like a big field of tall grasses), eastern deciduous forest (trees that lose their leaves in fall), and boreal coniferous forest (evergreen trees like pines and spruces). It's a rare place where these different plant communities grow together. This area is mostly untouched by humans, making it a great place for scientists to study nature.

• When it was recognized: 1975
• Where it is: Anoka and Isanti Counties
• Who owns it: It's a mix of state and private land.

Itasca Natural Area

The Itasca Natural Area is part of the famous Itasca State Park, which is where the mighty Mississippi River begins! This landmark is known for having some of the best remaining "virgin" forests. This means the trees are very old and have never been cut down by people. You can see beautiful stands of red pine, spruce-balsam fir, and maple-basswood-aspen trees here. It's like stepping back in time to see what Minnesota's forests looked like centuries ago.

• When it was recognized: 1975
• Where it is: Clearwater County
• Who owns it: The state of Minnesota, as part of Itasca State Park.

Keeley Creek Natural Area

The Keeley Creek Natural Area is a large area of forest that has been left undisturbed. It's a mix of different pine trees and black spruce trees. Because it hasn't been changed by human activity, it's a great example of what the natural forests in this part of Minnesota look like. It's a quiet place where nature thrives.

• When it was recognized: 1965
• Where it is: Lake County
• Who owns it: The federal government, as part of the Superior National Forest.

Lac la Croix Research Natural Area

The Lac la Croix Research Natural Area is another amazing place with "old-growth virgin" pine forests. This means the pine trees here are incredibly old and have never been logged. These ancient forests are very important for wildlife and for understanding how natural forest ecosystems work over long periods of time.

• When it was recognized: 1980
• Where it is: St. Louis County
• Who owns it: The federal government, as part of the Superior National Forest.

Lake Agassiz Peatlands Natural Area

The Lake Agassiz Peatlands Natural Area is a fantastic example of "peatlands." Peatlands are wetlands where dead plant material builds up over thousands of years, forming a spongy material called peat. This area sits on what used to be the bottom of an ancient glacial Lake Agassiz. This huge lake covered much of North America after the last Ice Age. The peatlands here show us what the landscape looked like after the lake disappeared.

• When it was recognized: 1965
• Where it is: Koochiching County
• Who owns it: The state of Minnesota.

Pine Point Research Natural Area

The Pine Point Research Natural Area is another special place that protects undisturbed stands of red pine and mixed pine trees. Like other natural areas, it's important for preserving the natural environment and for scientific study. It shows what the forests looked like before human development.

• When it was recognized: 1975
• Where it is: Cass County
• Who owns it: The federal government, as part of the Chippewa National Forest.

Upper Red Lake Peatland

The Upper Red Lake Peatland is one of the largest peatlands left in the entire United States! It's a vast wetland area where peat has built up over many centuries. These large peatlands are very important for storing carbon, filtering water, and providing homes for many unique plants and animals that can live in wet, boggy conditions.

• When it was recognized: 1975
• Where it is: Beltrami County
• Who owns it: It's a mix of federal, state, private, and native lands.

Images for kids

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  The Ancient River Warren Channel, carved by a giant glacial river.

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  A view of Cedar Bog Lake in the Cedar Creek Natural History Area.

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  The start of the Mississippi River in the Itasca Natural Area.

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  A boardwalk through the vast Upper Red Lake Peatland.