Myre-Big Island State Park

Myre-Big Island State Park near Albert Lea centers on Albert Lea Lake and preserves a glacial landscape shaped about 10,000 years ago, including Big Island, extensive shoreline, and an esker. Its habitats range from oak savanna and wetlands on the mainland to denser woodland on Big Island, and restoration includes controlled burning and water-retention efforts. People have lived around these lakes for roughly 9,000 years. In the 1940s, Owen Johnson and Helmer Myre led efforts to protect Big Island from logging, prompting state acquisition in 1947 and later expansions that preserved more shoreline and habitat. The park is now valued for birdwatching, wildlife, and year-round outdoor recreation.

Minnesota · United States