In 1989 the park's WPA developments were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district. The district comprises six contributing properties—three buildings and three structures. The buildings consist of a 1938 latrine (now the campground storm shelter), the 1940 bath house, and a 1940 garage/residence (now the interpretive center). The structures consist of a 1938 diversion dam on the Buffalo River, the 1940 swimming beach, and some 1940 stone curbs in the parking lot. The district boundary includes a well house constructed in the 1960s, which is non-contributing. The contributing properties are considered historically significant for their association with the Great Depression and the resulting federal work relief programs of the New Deal, and with the early development of Minnesota's state parks. They were also recognized for their finely crafted and labor-intensive split stone architecture.