- We're on the trails at Interstate Park,
on the hunt to learn more
about how the Ice Age shaped this layered landscape.
To do that,
Natural Resource Property Supervisor Matthew Densow
met me in the Ice Age Interpretive Center.
- Matthew Densow: So, Interstate Park
is a very, very unique property in that
we are the oldest property in the state of Wisconsin.
We have over 1,300 acres,
and our major feature that we protect
are the Dalles at the Saint Croix
and the glacial potholes that we have here.
We have 82 standard campsites along with 2 group campsites.
We have a very nice swimming beach
that's on the Lake O' the Dalles.
We have over nine miles of hiking trail within the park.
With the Ice Age Interpretive Center,
it allows people to kind of travel back in time
and experience what the area really kind of looked like,
and then physically going on the pothole trails,
imagining where the water was and how the potholes formed
really kind of helps people transport back in time.
So there's lots to see and do here at Interstate.
- So, I understand
there are technically two Interstate Parks.
- So there is a Wisconsin Interstate
and then there's a Minnesota Interstate Park.
So we're the bigger, better one.
You know, we have more to offer, more to see and do.
There are some differences.
They're definitely both good properties to go and visit,
but I'm gonna definitely advocate for our side.
- I'm all for friendly competition,
so encouraging everyone to get outdoors,
and they can option into the Interstate Park
on the Wisconsin side,
but clarifying the Interstate State Park
is on the Minnesota side. - Correct.
- See both, but come here first.
- Exactly. - Okay. [both laughing]
Thanks, Matthew. - Thanks.
- Angela: So I understand
there's a unique anniversary taking place this year,
the 125th year of the park.
Can you tell us about that? - Definitely.
In September 20 of 1900,
the first parcels of land were purchased here
for Interstate Park.
So this year is the 125th anniversary of Interstate Park,
but also the entire Wisconsin state park system,
which has grown from Interstate to 50 state parks,
fifteen state forests.
Fourty-four state trails, nine recreation areas,
eight water resource areas,
over 6,000 campsites, 1,500 buildings.
It's grown to what you see today.
- Would you mind showing me some more about the park?
- Yeah, definitely.
Let's go for a nice little hike.
- Angela: From the center, we headed to the Pothole Trail
to get a look at the ancient rock formations
this park offers.
- Matthew: So, if you can imagine
when everything was melting with the last glaciation,
there's a whole bunch of water
that was coming through this area.
Water was coming through really fast,
and there's lots of things that got caught in the water.
Some of the ones that we find are called grinders.
- Oh, wow. - And this is a small example
of one that we have here.
Well, you get a whirlpool that forms, and then it drills
into the rock itself. - Oh!
- And that's how we form glacial potholes,
which we have very fine examples here at Interstate Park.
So one thing that makes potholes special,
and you can tell it's a pothole,
is that the surface inside is smooth
because you can tell that it's been worn out.
- I now have a more positive association with potholes
than what I came into this conversation with.
- Great.
It's a fun feature, isn't it? - Absolutely.
Something I never thought I'd say,
I have a newfound admiration for potholes.
- So, this is the Dalles.
- Angela: And for the majestic views found at Interstate Park,
on the Wisconsin side.