CARLTON, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton is known all across Minnesota as one of the outdoor gems of the state.

Its 101-year-old swinging bridge in particular is iconic.

Or should we say bridges.

You may not realize there have been more than a couple rebuilds over the past century, thanks to a handful of natural disasters.

However, no matter what mother nature throws at the bridge, park leaders are determined to keep the attraction alive.

“It’s the start of a journey in the park,” said Jay Cooke State Park Interpretive Naturalist, Kristine Hiller.

The swinging bridge is the entryway to 25 miles of trails and St. Louis River shoreline.

The park was founded in 1915, and with so many people coming to see the unique, tilted rock formations, a special bridge w

See Full Page