McCarthy Beach State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McCarthy Beach State Park |
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McCarthy Beach State Park.
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 McCarthy Beach State Park
Location in Minnesota
McCarthy Beach State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Saint Louis, Minnesota, United States |
| Area | 2,471 acres (10.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,381 ft (421 m) |
| Established | 1945 |
| Governing body | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
McCarthy Beach State Park is a beautiful state park in Minnesota, USA. It sits right on the Sturgeon Lake chain, not far from Hibbing. This park is a great place to explore nature and learn about the history of the area. It's located in French Township, within Saint Louis County.
Contents
Discover the Animals of McCarthy Beach
This park is home to many different kinds of animals. You might spot over 30 types of wildlife living here!
Mammals You Might See
Keep an eye out for large animals like white-tailed deer and black bears. You might even hear the calls of timber wolves. Smaller creatures are also common, such as busy chipmunks, quick red squirrels, and clever raccoons.
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Birds
The park also has several kinds of reptiles and amphibians. If you love birdwatching, you're in luck! More than 175 different types of birds visit or live in this area.
Explore the Forests and Plants
McCarthy Beach State Park protects a special kind of forest. It is a northern boreal forest, which means it has trees that are used to cold weather.
Types of Trees and Plants
You will find tall red and white pine trees here. There are also low-lying areas with plants like leatherleaf and black spruce trees. These plants are important parts of the park's natural environment.
How Glaciers Shaped the Land
The landscape of McCarthy Beach State Park was formed by giant sheets of ice called glaciers. These glaciers moved across the land a very long time ago.
The Power of Moving Ice
As the glaciers moved, they scraped and tore at the bedrock. This bedrock is actually cooled lava from ancient volcanoes! The glaciers flowed south, then melted back north, and then flowed south again.
Hills and Lakes Created by Ice
The first glacier stopped right where McCarthy Beach is today. When it melted, it left behind low, rolling hills with steep sides. These hills are called moraines. In the larger valleys between these hills, the glaciers carved out spaces where lakes later formed.
The History of McCarthy Beach State Park
The land that is now McCarthy Beach State Park has an interesting past. It was once important for logging and became a popular spot for people to visit.
Logging and Railroads
Back in 1895, the Swan River Logging Company built a railroad to Sturgeon Lake. This railroad was used to carry logs to the Swan River. From there, the logs floated down the Mississippi River all the way to sawmills in Minneapolis.
From Picnic Spot to State Park
Over many years, this area became a favorite place for picnics and camping. People from the nearby Iron Range loved to spend time here. The land was owned by John A. McCarthy. When he passed away in 1943, his daughter sold the land to a lumberman.
Local citizens were worried about what would happen to the beautiful trees. They worked hard to convince the new owner to sell the land. The community even helped raise some of the money needed for the purchase. With local money matched by state funds, the land was bought. It officially became McCarthy Beach State Park in 1945, so everyone could enjoy it.
Park Statistics
- The park covers about 2,311 acres (9.35 km2) of land.
- Each year, about 115,842 people visit the park.
