National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
Home Page
Parks Starting With:
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J |
K |
L |
M |
N |
O |
P |
Q |
R |
S |
T |
U |
V |
W |
Y |
Z
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Nature of the Area
Hiking trails in the park connect with the magnificent Superior Hiking Trail. This trail parallels much of the Lake Superior coastline and passes by scenic waterfalls. Trails wind through beautiful stands of birch, spruce, fir and
ash trees. The winter landscape is also spectacular adding to the popularity of the cross-country ski trails.
The magnificent bluffs upon which the lighthouse is built are formations of anorthosite. The bedrock is a result of ancient lava flows. Then over an immense time span, many complex geological processes occurred. Water covered the area depositing sediment over the bedrock. Later this rock was bent and compressed by mountain-building forces. Eventually a series of glaciers scraped the landscape, scouring out the Lake Superior Basin and shearing off the shoreline cliffs. Then the meltwaters of the glaciers flowed over the upland rock cliffs, carved away the less resistant rock and filled the basin we know as Lake Superior.
Wildlife in the park includes a variety of small songbirds, herring gulls and common loons. Peregrine falcons have been spotted on their migration along the North Shore. Visitors are also treated to sightings of white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, raccoon, beaver, snowshoe hare, red fox, bobcat and lynx.
History of the Area
More Info
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park