The Hill Annex Mine ceased operations in 1978. In the decades since, nature has reclaimed this abandoned Minnesota mine, and it has become a seasonal state park open to visitors from May to September.
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, tours are no longer offered at Hill Annex Mine.
The Hill Annex Mine lies on the Mesabi Iron Range near the town of Calumet.
Visit Grand Rapids/Google It was originally leased in 1892, and mining operations began in 1913.
Iron ore mining continued on and off for the next 65 years until the high-grade iron ore inevitably played out.
Shan Burkhalter/Google The operation was closed in 1978 and sold to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for the sum of $1.
The Board turned the former miners’ clubhouse into a museum, developed and maintained a road to the taconite piles and mining structures, and began giving tours to the public.
McGhiever/Wikimedia Commons The legislature designated Hill Annex Mine a state park in 1988, and the DNR took over operation.
Now, when you visit the park during its summer open season, you can clearly see that nature has reclaimed the mine.
Visit Grand Rapids/Google Trees and vegetation are growing on the massive tailings and iron ore piles.
The plant, itself, is overgrown with vegetation and almost completely obscured by foliage.
Visit Grand Rapids/Google
A tour is the best way to experience the mine, and they can be arranged directly through the park.
Chris Carpenter/Google On tours, you can get up-close and personal with the abandoned structures and equipment. The park also operates a fossil tour, during which you can dig for fossils in the mine’s exposed gravel pits.
Be sure to save time to explore the visitor center and museum to learn more about the history of Hill Annex Mine, as well as the land and the people it affected.
Visit Grand Rapids/Google
The park is directly adjacent to the paved Mesabi Trail, so bring bikes when you visit - or use the trail to ride to the park.
Visit Grand Rapids/Google
For hours and days of operation or more information on tours, visit Hill Annex Mine State Park’s website. If you’re looking for a nearby place for dinner after your visit to the park, check out Unwined Up North in Grand Rapids – especially if you’re a wine or beer enthusiast.
Visit Grand Rapids/Google
It was originally leased in 1892, and mining operations began in 1913.
Shan Burkhalter/Google
The operation was closed in 1978 and sold to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for the sum of $1.
McGhiever/Wikimedia Commons
The legislature designated Hill Annex Mine a state park in 1988, and the DNR took over operation.
Trees and vegetation are growing on the massive tailings and iron ore piles.
Chris Carpenter/Google
On tours, you can get up-close and personal with the abandoned structures and equipment. The park also operates a fossil tour, during which you can dig for fossils in the mine’s exposed gravel pits.
Have you visited Hill Annex Mine? What are some other abandoned spots in Minnesota that have been reclaimed by nature over the decades?
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Address: Hill Annex Mine State Park, 880 Gary St, Calumet, MN 55716, USA
