Just south of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, there’s a quiet park that’s laced with trails. It’s a place where you’ll find birds, butterflies, and the occasional dog walker but in the 1990s this place was anything but quiet and tranquil. A huge open pit mining operation took place here, opening rifts in the community and well as the earth. The Flambeau Mine is long closed, and today it’s been transported into a scenic abandoned place that’s perfect for an interesting Wisconsin hike.

The Flambeau Deposit was discovered in 1969 – it was a massive underground deposit that was rich in copper, gold, and silver.
Youtube / Flambeau Video Tour
In the 1990s, a huge mining operating began, drawing protests from people concerned with the environmental impact of the enormous open pit mine. The property is located right next to the Flambeau River.
Google / Jerod Walker
Mining proceeded and over four years of operation it opened a hole that was a half-mile long and 220-feet-deep. Over 100,000 visitors stopped by to take a look.
Youtube / Flambeau Video Tour

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By the time the mine was complete, miners had extracted 181,000 tons of copper, 334,000 ounces of gold, and 3.3 million ounces of silver.
Youtube / Flambeau Video Tour
Work then began to restore the site to a natural state. The pit was filled with waste rock and limestone, topsoil was added, and flowers and grasses grew.
Google / Jerod Walker
Today the park is a pleasant place for stroll and the visible signs of the mine have largely disappeared. The park’s trails branch off of a small parking area and they pass near the Flambeau River. It draws birdwatchers, hikers, and equestrian riders.
Google / Zackery Sensenig

Curious to see more? Check out this video tour of the abandoned mine c/c Rio Tinto Legacy:

You’ll find the trails on Highway 27, just south of the City of Ladysmith. Learn more about the park on the Ladysmith website. Once you’ve explored the old mining site, here’s an ancient mountain range that’s not far away.

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Reclaimed Flambeau Mine, Ladysmith, WI 54848, USA