The Soudan Mine remains an operating mine today and visitors to the park can actually ride the shaft elevator (called "the cage") 2,341 feet underground the to mine's 27th level where they see how miners were drilling and blasting to remove ore before abandoning their equipment in 1962. the Soudan is the only mine of its type open to the general public for tours in the world.

The one hour guided underground tour begins in the visitor center which is housed in the mine's original dry house- this is where the miners changed and dried their clothes for the next shift. Here you will see artifacts and photo displays from the mining era, models depicting the mine's design, and displays of unusual rocks and crystals. You will also watch a short orientation film, which contains actual US Steel footage taken underground during the last days of the mine's operation. From there you will don hard hats and head underground. Once underground the ride is not over- you then board an underground railroad and ride 3/4 mile to the Montana "stope", the underground miner's term for an ore producing cavity. This is the last area where the miners worked before the mine closed. A short climb up a spiral staircase will take you up into the actual working area; where you can see and experience how the miners removed the valuable ore. the journey back out of the mine gives you time to reflect on the special quality of the mine and the role in played in world history. Back on the surface, a number of other mine features can be seen and nature trails are also available.

Soudan Underground Mine State Park is located 22 miles south of Ely, in Soudan, Minnesota. The park is open daily for tours Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Tours begin at 9:30 AM and take approximately 1 hour, fifteen minutes. The last tour starts at 4:00 PM. Special group tours are also available by reservation from May 1 through October 15. The mine is a constant 50 degrees year round, so a jacket is recommended as well as sturdy foot gear.

A little more history on the Soudan Underground Mine

For further information or reservations, contact Soudan Underground Mines State park, P.O. Box 335, Soudan, Minnesota 55782, 218-753-2245.