Jay Cooke State Park: A perfect summer staycation

By Molly Milroy

Jay Cooke State Park is a peaceful escape just 20 minutes outside of Duluth. It’s the perfect spot for a family or solo adventurer to get fresh air and explore the great outdoors.

“The park has an over-105-year history,” said Park Manager Lisa Angelos. “What makes it special are the historical and cultural aspects, combined with over 9,000 acres of protected land and waters providing habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species in all seasons.”

You can choose to come for a few hours and take in the scenery or spend a night or two at the local campground. Whichever you decide, be sure to check out this local favorite destination.

Park Headquarters

Driving to the park on Minnesota State Highway 210 is a delight that gives you a taste of what is to come. The winding roads give way to a beautiful landscape that may include sightings of eagles, deer and other animals. Arriving at the park, be sure to check in at the park headquarters, where you can pick up your Minnesota State Park permit for $7 for the day or $35 for the entire year. The shop has a nice selection of locally produced products, educational books, activities and books for kids, sweatshirts, ice cream, and camping supplies, including firewood. A variety of activity kits can be checked out for free and will give you a taste of geocaching, birding or fishing.

At the headquarters you can also get a map and learn about any educational sessions that may be going on that day.

“We take pride in offering a friendly public service and are happy to help point you in the right direction to get the most out of your experience, depending upon the time you have and the kind of activities you enjoy,” Angelos said.

Hitting the Trails

The best part about Jay Cook State Park? The hiking! With 50 miles of hiking trails, eight miles of biking trails, and six miles of horse trails, one can spend days exploring the grounds.

Hiking enthusiast Shannon Benolken says, “There’s a lot to do at this park in addition to the trails. I have pictures of my husband and daughter climbing on the rocks in the river. They spent hours on those rocks exploring.”

Park Naturalist Kristine Hiller explains that she has seen animal tracks of coyotes, wolves and black

“There’s a lot to do at this park in addition to the trails. I have pictures of my husband and daughter climbing on the rocks in the river. They spent hours on those rocks exploring.”

~Shannon Benolken bear. She is also well informed on the park’s history and variety of rock found at the park, be sure to seek her out during your visit. She can often be found in the interpretive center where you will also find exhibits about the park, an indoor picnic shelter, and additional restrooms.

Take a walk across the iconic swinging bridge, one of only two suspension bridges in a Minnesota State Park. From there you can take in majestic views of the St. Louis River and you may even spot an artist or two on the banks of the river filling their canvases with color. Once over the bridge, a multitude of trails await.

Follow the trail signs and pick one that suits your liking. While hiking you may run across a redbelly snake or in early fall you may encounter a multitude of mushrooms.

Campground

Camping at Jay Cooke State Park is serene and cozy. Each site offers the perfect spot for your tent and includes a fire ring and picnic table. The surrounding trees give the right amount of shade during the daytime while also a break in the sky for stargazing at night.

“The sites are spacious and flat,”

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Benolken said. “There’s nothing worse than being piled up at the bottom of your tent in the morning. I felt completely safe camping by myself.”

If you like camping with amenities, this is the place to go. Their newly renovated restroom facilities are spectacular and include multiple stalls, good lighting, hooks for your bags, shelves to put things on, and a baby changing table. All showers are single stalls, private with a lock, and include an area for changing separate from the shower along with hooks for your bag/clothing. There are multiple private showers, all offering hot water, a camper’s delight!

Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m. when all you may hear is the soothing sounds of a slight breeze whistling with the trees. Along with the over 80 campsites (including RV sites), there are five cabins to choose from. Make sure to book your reservation ahead of time as the campground does fill up.

Quick Vacay

If you’re in or near the Duluth area and looking for a day or overnight getaway that is not too far away, check out Jay Cooke State Park, it does not disappoint! With miles of trails, educational opportunities, clean facilities, and excellent campsites, this state park makes for a stellar, quick vacay. It’s the perfect spot for families, friends, or even solo adventuring.

“I’ve explored all of the state parks on the North Shore, and along the I-35 corridor between the Metro area and Duluth,” Benolken said, “and Jay Cooke is a must see!”

Find out more about the park and make camping reservations at www. dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park. html?id=spk00187#homepage. D

Molly Milroy is a Duluth freelance writer.

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