Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
CHARLES A. LINDBERGH STATE PARK
Entrance Sign
Bench overlooking Pike Creek
Spring flowers blooming in the park.
Trail bridge crossing over Pike Creek.
Shelter built by WPA workers is available to rent for small gatherings
Historic water tower built in 1939 by WPA workers was used until 1965.
Stone stairs lead up a hill in the park.
Picnic grounds with some playground equipment.
"Enjoying my hike at Charles Lindbergh State park."
by Jayne
"This was taken in Sept. It was such great timing! The next day leaves we’re pretty much gone."
by Jayne
"A snowy winter day at Charles Lindbergh State park. My favorite place to walk even in the snow!"
by Jayne
About the park
Forested hiking trails follow the picturesque Pike Creek as it meanders through the park on its way to the Mississippi River. Visitors can rent a canoe or kayak from the park to explore this creek and river. In addition to this main area of the park, the Little Elk unit lies 3.5 miles north, where the Elk River joins the Mississippi. This unit was added in 2003 and is rich in archeological resources. Visitors can enjoy hiking a roughly 1.5-mile loop trail.
The park was established in 1931, when 110 acres were donated to the state by the famous aviator, who at the time was considered a national hero for being the first to make a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Later, that heroic stature was called into question as he associated with leaders of the Nazi party and advocated against U.S. involvement in WWII. Some of this complicated history is on display at the nearby museum and former home of Lindbergh, which the Minnesota Historical Society operates.
Our Work by the Numbers
PROJECTS
3
undertaken by P&TC
for this park
ACRES
116
of land saved
for this park
YEAR
2023
when most recent
project was completed
DOLLARS
474,000
total value of
all land projects
Our Project Stories
Saving the mouth of Pike Creek
A footbridge over Pike Creek will likely be brought up to accessibility standards for park visitors.
Home before its removed to restore natural condition of land.
Looking at land project from the public water access
Pike Creek empties into the Mississippi River at the bridge.
Lawn with creek in distance.
P&TC Acquired: 2020
P&TC Conveyed: 2023
ACRES: 22
LOCATION: SE area of park
VALUE: $197,650 (at time of purchase)
Pike Creek is a picturesque creek that meanders through Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. It provides important recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. On Sept. 9, 2020, P&TC purchased a small private property along Pike Creek where it empties into the Mississippi River. This was the only private property along the creek’s southern terminus that was not within the park.
Before P&TC saved it for the park, the former park manager described the property as, “the most critical natural resource-based inholding remaining in the statutory park boundaries.”
P&TC conveyed the property, along with its modest house, barn, shed and foot bridge, to the MnDNR in 2023. The buildings will eventually be removed and the foot bridge will likely be brought up to accessibility standards and integrated into the park trail system.
RELATED POSTS
Oct. 1, 2020
Apr. 5, 2021
Saving an archaeological treasure
Project Years: 2001 - 2004
ACRES: 92.3
LOCATION: Little Elk Unit
VALUE: $625,000 (in 2004)
We had to act quickly when we learned that the Institute for Minnesota Archeology (IMA), an organization that had worked for 16 years to develop the Little Elk Heritage Preserve, an area rich in archeaological resources dating back thousands of years, was having financial trouble and about to lose this important place.
The Preserve was located about 3.5 miles north of Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. After lengthy planning and facilitation by P&TC, it was officially added to the park.
Today, the area contains a couple miles of looped hiking trail that allow visitors to see and learn about such archaeological sites as a 1700s French fur-trading post, an 1800s Ojibwe Mission and a settlement called Elk City to name a few.
Saving an old oak forest
Project Years: 1998 - 2000
Project Acres: 2
This 2-acre parcel of oak woodlands was offered as a donation by the landowners to the MnDNR. However, it couldn’t be accepted until park boundaries were legislatively expanded. The MnDNR approached Parks & Trails Council for help in acquiring and holding the land while the legislative process was completed, which happened two years later.
Land Projects at Other Parks or Trails
Tour more of the land projects we’ve undertaken for parks and trails.
