Itasca State Park

This was on our Minnesota bucket list and it did not disappoint. Beautiful park! It's pretty amazing to be at the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi! We live near the Mississippi and have been to the end of this mighty river in New Orleans. The rocks at the headwaters can be quite slippery so be careful! I would highly recommend water shoes or just do it and take the one in a life time challenge. We enjoyed this park in late summer when it was mot crowded. We also stopped at the fire tower. It's 135 steps to the top of the tower. There is a 1/2 hike to the tower which involves a fairly steep, long incline.

Beautiful walking and bike trail along with breathtaking scenery. The Mississippi headwaters are a must see. Bike, boat and sailboards for rent as well. Swimming beach and campgrounds great place for the whole family.

Read and researched this park for the past 2 years and I was not disappointed. What a great park to spend a day with my lovely wife. Definitely will come back and camp out here.

My favorite "local" SP. Amazing trails, and the views from the tower are phenomenal. It is a family friendly park with boat, kayak, SUP, and bike rentals.

It was incredible and amazing. The drive to the park was very scenic and surrounded by millions of beautiful evergreens. We were there in August and they had bike, kayak, canoe, paddle board and pontoon rentals. The visitors center was really nice and offered everything you might need and so much history of the lake and headwaters.

Imagine trading the daily grind for days filled with wonder. At Itasca State Park, your adventure starts at the very beginning the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. Explore over 32,000 acres of pristine wilderness, dotted with over 100 sparkling lakes. Pitch your tent under a canopy of towering pines, or cozy up in one of our 45 overnight units. Discover hidden gems as you journey through the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary a slice of untouched Minnesota magic. Let the call of the wild ignite your spirit. Itasca awaits!

Itasca State Park is great! We try to make a trip up there once a year, and our kids enjoy exploring as much as we do. They have plenty of parking, great trails, and a nice visitor center. Some of the views are breathtaking! We plan on using the campsite later this year and plan on reviewing that. The pictures are obviously from different years, but I just realized I've never reviewed it when Google suggested it to me.

Love this park. Great facilities (showers, restrooms, etc). Not happy with the wood they're selling now ($8 a bundle). Does not burn well. Go to the General store outside the north gate. $7 and it burns Great

I enjoyed coming here as a kid and as an adult it's just as nice. The rocks crossing the river at the start seems to be more from what I remember but it's just as fun and cool. The log to walk across is there as well for easier crossing. I don't remember it being as rocky on the bottom of the river as it is now so I'd suggest water shoes but not really necessary.

My mom and I stayed two nights in Bert's Cabin #12. From the photos we didn't know what to expect but were pleasantly surprised! We chose a pet friendly cabin as I brought my chihuahua. The cabin was super clean and free of clutter. Everything we needed was in the kitchen and the shower worked perfectly. The cabin was from the 30's but it had a modern heater/air conditioning unit high up on the wall that worked great. The park was huge and we only got to complete a few trails. There are many more to explore when we come back again! LOVED the red pines. We also took an Itasca lake tour which was really worth it to get the history of the area and see the pristine shoreline. There is also a little museum to visit to learn more.

What a great state park! There is so much to do, but much of it in little pieces such that you can choose your own adventure and spend a short amount of time or multiple days hiking and biking. I ended up spending most of a day and could easily (and would like to!) go back to hike some of the longer trails or bike on the trail that winds through the park. Aside from the main attraction - the headwaters of the Mississippi River - there are a number of historical site, scenic overlooks, and side trails to fit whatever mood and ability you have, including a pioneer cemetery, trails with historic pines, the visitor center with some history of the area, and the fire tower if you're up for climbing some steps. Taking the walk up to the top of the tower was worth it as the view from the spectacular above the treetops, which is hard to get to in a park with this massive of a forest. Even just taking a slow drive along the main wilderness drive was so pretty over and over.

Minnesota's oldest state park, the headwaters of the Mississippi River, majestic mature trees, gift shops with Itasca items, a paved bicycle trail....Yes to all! We started early in the morning, rode the bike trail, found lady slippers in blossom, enjoyed our day at Itasca State Park!

This is a beautiful, large park. We went to the gift shop first to buy the book guide for the Dr Roberts Nature Trail. Cost $.75. Then, we went to the Dr Roberts Trail - it's interesting, and having the book helped us to identify all the different types of plants that we saw. It was definitely overgrown, sometimes even seeing the item that was numbered and identified was difficult. We then went to see some 300 year old pine trees, and eventually the headwaters. Both were pretty neat, and even though there were many people at the headwaters, we were able to wade across. We also ate at the restaurant in the park - it was super handy to not have to leave. It was not super speedy, so only go if you are not in a hurry.

Beautiful park. Well kept from what we stopped and saw. Nature is amazing and we got to see some cool stuff. Walked around in the water and headwaters of the Mississippi.

We are blessed in Minnesota with spectacular state parks and Itasca will rank among the best. It would take more than a few days to really explore all this vast park has to offer. So in a few hours we can see the Mississippi Headwaters and take a drive through on the scenic road ending with views of White Pines and then Red Pines, trees that are no longer common. The visitor center is large and there is an array of gifts available along with maps and friendly advice.

A staple of Minnesota history. This family friendly hiking area offers an opportunity to take in the past and enjoy the present. With historical plaques and signs, there's plenty to read and learn about the area. It also offers a variety of types and lengths of trails for lots of different types of vacationers. Plenty of parking. Clean bathrooms. Lovely people there to help you find your way. And delicious food and ice cream at the deli

What an amazing experience, trip, pictures, videos, EVERYTHING! The nature and the preparation that surrounds the place is great and beautiful. I know I will be short on words and details but will try my best. The drive: Getting there starts to turn on the magic of the whole area. Of your GPS says 1 hour, plan for three because you will want to stop at so many place for 10-20 minutes! Drive by a tiny towns where people mind their business yet start casual conversations with the friendliest smiles. The conglomerate of areas: lakes and parks you get to visit while going around and seeing so many things Lake Itasca has to offer. I don't know why but always wanted the experience of soaking my feet and "crossing" the Mississippi river, well this is the place! . Everything is a bike ride away. SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PLACES! Lake Itasca has many natural views and activities and many more organized like rent bikes kayaks etc. But all in all whether a day trip or a week long camping, I guarantee you it will he the vacation of a lifetime. I loved it. The views: Depending on time of the year your views and experience will vary. During he summer is he most beautiful blue sky and green shrugs and blue refreshing water areas. Walk, swim, bike, jog, run,canoe, kayak, paddle, retreat and think, OMG you name it. Family, friends, solo travel. You will come a whole new person and with memories for a lifetime. I cannot say enough great things. Minnesota might have really white winters but spring summer and fall are amazing as well. And Lake Itasca surely represents well one of the many hundreds of natural areas to visit. They are clean and safe so we must keep them that way. Care for each other and watch each other.

It was pretty awesome to see the headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi. This is where the Great River Road begins & ends. Ticks are plentiful and I caught several trying to hitch a ride after briefly stepping into the grass. I'd say roughly 746 billion mosquitoes were on me at a time I'd suggest being prepared for that. I did not use any type of repellent. There are several picturesque spots. The water is unbelievably clear and we were able to watch the fish lake-side. There are several options for activities: from bikes to canoes, tours to hikes. Camping spots were easily accessed.

This is by far my favorite state park. Came here once as a kid to do the Mississippi headwaters crossing and went back recently as an adult and LOVED IT! Lots of buildings were closed due to Covid, but the park itself was gorgeous and very enjoyable. There's a ten mile one way drive to take that I strongly recommend, a deer enclosure, tons of trails, bike rentals, swimming beach and of course the headwaters. Absolutely a must see when you head north from the Twin Cities.

This park is outstanding. I took a trip here last year and really enjoyed exploring the park and the surrounding area.

All I can say is Wow!!! It was mind-blowing to visit the tranquil beginnings of the mighty Mississippi. The entire park is gorgeous with the majestic Norway pines and white pines. The stands of birch trees were striking against the clear blue sky. For me, the most impactful sight was the sparkling clarity of the water before run offs, oil, waste, and sludge turn it into the muddy Mississippi. There is an energy from the land, the trees, and water that fed my spirit.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL here, especially in the Fall, but your timing has to be near perfect! This is the birthplace of the Mighty Mississippi River ya know!

Beautiful park and lots to do. You can get a day pass for your car just $5 no matter how many people are in it. They have fast WIFI in many of the park areas, really strange for a park up north. Great visitor center with interactive displays kids and adults will love. Lots of free maps and information on things to do in Minnesota. Snacks and drinks in the park as well as gift shops and cabins you can rent. If you are in the area you need to go and walk across the Mississippi !!!!

Had a bucket list goal of 50 states before turning 30 but that got a one year addendum because I procrastinated haha. Anyway, finally un-procrastinated and Minnesota and North/South Dakota were states I needed to cross off so I searched what's the best thing to visit between Minneapolis and Fargo and this was the spot! The allure of the headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi made me add Lake Itasca to the bucket list. It is actually a 2-hourish detour (probably more but I was hauling ass!) than to drive straight to Fargo but it was totally worth it! Visited at the end of April. Half of the lake was still frozen over and the headwaters were going stronger than I saw in other peoples pictures. I was fortunate enough to basically be the only person in the park at the time, love when that happens! The peace and serenity of the lake and headwaters is total bliss! It's all nature up here, I saw a Bald Eagle and also some fish that was gutted, I'm guessing by the aforementioned. The gift shop and the restrooms were closed so I may or may not have made a tinkle in the headwaters. Lol... I probably spent an hour in the park but started to head out when it was getting dusk. All I can say is there are so many deers in the area, be careful when driving! I'd definitely like to come back!!!

I was raised in the Twin Cities, and visited Itasca State Park often as a child. So while in the area, decided to revisit it. It is just as awesome and beautiful as it was years ago. Entering the park, it will cost $5 for a day pass to park. Plenty of parking around the area. Be sure to stop at the Visitor's Center, where they have excellent exhibits of events in the area. I particularly loved the loon exhibit, where you can push a button and hear all 4 loon calls. Brought back such fond memories. Got excited about the gift shop, where I was able to purchase a few pounds of wild rice from the area. Staff in all visitor centers are incredibly friendly and proud of their park. I came to see the Headwaters of the Mississippi River, which is always thrilling. There is a building near the path to the headwaters, where there are gifts, a cafe and restrooms. Paths all around the park are well tended to and very clean. There are also bicycles and canoes to rent, abundant campsites and picnic areas. This park is pristine, wild and beautiful, and should not be missed. I still love coming here, no matter how many times I have already been here.

We absolutely enjoyed our afternoon at the park! Our 7 month old daughter loved putting her toes in the water and eating some ice cream afterwards. Must do when in the area.

There are literally thousands of lakes in Minnesota - and yet the one(s) at this State park seem to a recommended favorite by many Minnesotans - and if you have time is worth making a slightly out of the way trip to visit. Most people probably come just to see the headwaters/official start of the Mississippi River but there is also much more to see and do in the park so plan on several hours at a minimum - and more if you like to hike. There are three entrances to the park. The northern entrance is the closest one to the headwaters and that is the one I entered - but I would recommend using the southern entrance and stopping at the visitor center first and not having to backtrack to access the one-way wilderness drive after seeing the headwaters and nearby exhibits. The wilderness drive allows you to see several other lakes and spend some time walking among the trees. The short hike to the fire tower and back to see over the trees ends up being slightly uphill in both directions!

90 % of the goods in the gift shop were made in China, that turned me off to the whole experience.

One of the most gorgeous parks I've been too. Extremely scenic with lots of trees and water. Lots of amazing views. Be sure to check out the Mississippi Headwaters and to climb the tall tower!

Very gorgeous, visitors center had plenty of information. Headwaters are nice if you went during the week it probably wouldn't be so crowded and be more enjoyable like any place. Dogs loved it and got to see around there too.

This park is HUGE. This is where the mighty Mississippi River begins. Where the river starts is 1475 feet above sea level. From here, it is 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico from here! I should jump in a kayak and head down to New Orleans. They also have a web cam set up to view the people walking across the river where it leaves Lake Itasca. That is a cool thing to say that you have done. The park is beautiful with plenty of things to do. They have restaurants in the park and rental areas for bikes, boats and whatever you may need. The beauty this park holds is amazing. Please slow down and enjoy it. Many of the buildings have Wi-Fi coming from them to include the showers/bathrooms. If you need to be connected, get a spot close to a building. This park has a lot of things to do, paddle boat tours, pontoon rentals, kayaks and much more!! With this place being so far away from anything, there is plenty of wildlife. Make sure you secure your food because of raccoons and bears in the park. I took over 40 photos, I hope you enjoy them. There is a lot of wildlife wanting their photo taken. The loons are hard to get a photo of. When the loons are scared or feel threatened, they dive, they also dive for food. They can stay down for quite some time and then they randomly pop up somewhere else on the lake. Then the dive again. You have to be quick, i was not quick enough this trip. I did miss a deer also but got photos of swans, ducks, dragonflies and a baby raccoon. You can also learn many things at this park if you want. There are many brochures and signs that describe the area, the history and significance of this park. Did you know this was Minnesota's first state park founded in 1891!! Check out Itasca Sports for all kinds of fishing gear, rentals and other fun things to do.

I had a whole two hours of time to spend at Itasca State Park. You are probably saying, "You must like to torment yourself." And that is generally a true statement. But even on such a limited timescale you can see a lot. Here's the lot I see'd: - I entered via the East Entrance and paid my park fees and then drove straight to the Mississippi River headwaters. When you don't have a lot of time to eat, go straight to dessert first. But we didn't drive too fast to enjoy the scenery along the way - it's a pretty park, and even on a timed trip it was calming as we drove down the park roads. We reached the Headwaters center and immediately walked the well-traveled trail to the spot where Lake Itasca feeds into the beginning of the Great River. You can cross the river via a small bridge or you can take your shoes and socks off & hop across the boulders. I did it both ways. The latter is fun, but be careful that some rocks are slippery and it gets a bit "Frogger"ish due to traffic. A stonewalling kid led me to hop an alternate path, a trickier jump that led me to fall and stub my toe. This is not the most scenic area you'll ever see in your life, but despite the very touristy feel of this spot it is still surprisingly satisfying once you've crossed the other side. If only Huck Finn could see me now. As you walk back from your triumph (really, you just quickly crossed over from the land where the radio stations begin with "W" to where they begin with "K" in record time), there's a big gift shop to celebrate - I bought a pretty cool Itasca t-shirt at a decent price. - We then hopped back in our car and did the Wilderness Drive, a loop that runs through the park. I'll be honest, it's a pleasant drive but if you've ever driven through a typical woodsy state park (or indeed some of the roads you took to get to Itasca) you'll see that it's not an essential drive. It looks like it would be a fun bike ride though, and indeed there are numerous bikers we passed along the way. We stopped to see the large white pine that is just off the drive, a 200-foot tree that is enjoyable to see. - We closed the loop up and could have left by this point but I wanted to stop at Preacher's Grove, which we had passed en route to the Headwaters - we had a little time to spare, and it looked like a serene spot. And it actually was my favorite part of the whole park - you have a cluster of red pines overseeing Lake Itasca. Very pretty and very reflective - we were the only people walking around, wonderful trees and a misty lake with the soundtrack of a constantly moving wind. 69 degrees on a July afternoon - I'll take it! I'd love to have had some more time to explore some of the paths nearby - or maybe to just do nothing at all - but I'm grateful I got the chance at all. And I'd say the same for Itasca State Park too - it's a bit of a journey to get up to this area. But you'll be rewarded for your physical journey with a mental journey as well.

Lake Itasca has been on my bucket list only because of the headwaters. I have seen where the Mississippi dumps into the gulf so I wanted to see its humble beginnings. I wasn't disappointed. You can literally spit across the river (if you wanted to) and the entire area around the headwaters is gorgeous. The park itself was wonderful but to appreciate it you should camp there so you can enjoy it for a few days, not hurriedly as we did. There are great hiking trails and a bike trail that looked like a lot of fun. My only regret is that we were there during early September. Autumn in the park would be spectacular.

This is my favorite state park in Minnesota. I love it so much that my husband and I were married here! We come back every year to enjoy this park's natural beauty and amenities.

Itasca is a great place for a day trip! Check out the Headwaters, do some hiking, rent a canoe, paddle board, or bike. The Lodge is only open for dinner until 5 (due to lack of chefs) so plan accordingly so you don't miss the wild rice soup. The cafe at the gift shop area is open until 7 and we enjoyed blueberry pie, huckleberry ice cream, a curried chickpea salad wrap and a garden hummus wrap!

It's probably been 30 years since I've been here. My goodness what improvements they have made to their buildings and displays. Even the headwaters themselves are very user friendly with wide walkways. The entire area was clean and the staff in the building was quite friendly, even when we caused her to stay late because of our escaped in the displays and shopping. They do charge to go in, but it's per car. I bought a state park pass, good for a year, for $25. I think the daily pass was $5. A little out of the way, but worth the trip. Careful on those roads though, if you leave in the afternoon. I think we saw at least 15 on our way back to Highway 2.

Great place to be outside and enjoy some hiking and where else can you walk across the Mississippi. The gift shop is a nice spot to get souvenirs and treats

A very enjoyable day awaits you if you visit Itasca State Park. Categorically speaking: Location: 4 out of 5 Almost equidistant between Park Rapids and Bemidji, driving on 71 from either city will get you there in a straightforward manner. Things to do: 5 out of 5 There should be no shortage of activities to entertain you and your family. For those who are active, the bike trail runs from Douglas Lodge up to the headwaters, and it's conveniently almost bisected by a rental and recreational area where you can rent kayaks, bikes, and even some smaller watercraft. For those who prefer more of a sedentary relaxation lifestyle, Douglas Lodge offers scenic views where you can take in the sights or watch hummingbirds flitter by. Like water? You're in luck - because in addition to the lake where the recreation rental area is, there's also the Mississippi Headwaters where you can take off your shoes, wade in a little pool, and even walk across the MS River. If you are more of a drive by tourist, the paved roads will take you to lookouts and even one of the tallest virgin red pine trees in the states. Don't forget your bug repellant if you go in the summer months, and do mind the poison ivy around some of the walking trails. Cost of Admission: 5 out of 5 5 bucks will get your car in for the day. It's really cheap, considering if you take a family of 4 people, it averages to be 1.25 per person. The money truly is well spent, given the wide array of things that you can do while you're in the park. Quality of paved roads for cars: 5 out of 5 One of the best maintained state park roads I've been on. The road is curbed where necessary, but otherwise it was free of buckles, any type of potholes, and where there was gravel on the edges, it was not a problem to navigate. Quality of bike trail: 5 out of 5 Although short (6 miles one way), the dedicated trail was immaculately maintained. Again, debris on the trail was minimal, and the trail was wide enough so that you could ride 3 - 4 abreast if you wanted. However, do be mindful of other cyclists who may ride slower (or faster) than you, in addition to pedestrians who may otherwise be distracted. Public facilities: 5 out of 5 The visitors center is a good first stop, and does provide some educational services in addition to the obligatory gift shop and restrooms. Douglas Lodge is really pretty, and given the recent storms, it was neat to take a look at the pine trees that had been cut down. Well - to clarify - it was neat to look at the exposed stumps of the trees that had been cut down. The gift shop and facilities at the MS River headwaters was also nicely maintained, and even the outhouse at the recreational center was "luxurious" by most standards. Overall: 5 out of 5 I had a very enjoyable time there, and I'm glad I got to take in a little bit of everything: I started out at the visitors center and made my way to the lodge for some photos. Then, I rode in a car to the recreational rental area and pedaled to the headwaters area before returning to the recreational rental area. To end the afternoon, I drove around the loop and checked out the various pine trees. I imagine that if you prepare well (picnic lunch, for example), you would be able to spend 4 - 6 hours there without being bored. For those that are in a hurry, 1 - 2 hours would be the bare minimum that I would allot for myself.

This park is just wonderful. Minnesota at it's finest in all regards. The park is packed with hiking and biking trails to keep you busy for many visits. We only saw a fraction of the park and we brought our bikes and we went swimming when we came, and my wife did the large loop (27mile?) in the park with her friend on their bikes. We did lots of swimming, they have a wonderful restaurant on the premises that serves up great food for people that are not so into cookin over the fire. Granted, growing up in wisconsin, I've learned a thing or two about grilling, and make a mean steak and potatoes over that fire. They have beautiful cabins for rent if you like as well. Anywho, I'll definitely be going back, that's a park to revist many times, because it's so darn big! I recommend it for young and old alike. It's a great getaway and you should make a 3-day weekend out of it if you can, it's 4.5 hours from the twin cities. BIG TIP: This park is super popular, you must reserve a site 6-7 months in advance! Have fun!

Beautiful and very well taken care of. You could easily spend 2-3 days here between boating, cycling, walking, fishing, canoeing and what not. A great spot for when you need your nature spike!

Such a beautiful place to visit!! Unfortunately, the Wilderness Road was mostly closed during our visit due to downed trees, but we enjoyed our overnight at the Pine Ridge campground (only $31 per night for an RV on an electrical site). We also had a nice walk from the site to the Headwaters... The water was so refreshing on our feet. The campground was very nice and the shower house and bathrooms were very clean. Because of the road closure, we were unable to visit the fire tower... So we'll have that on our list of things to do for a return visit.

As one who was born and raised less than twenty-five miles from the mighty Mississippi River. Coming here was special for me. Very interesting and lots of fun. The park is beautiful! I checked out the souvenir store and bought ice cream at the eatery. No question seeing where the Mississippi River begins was the highlight. I just regret not walking any of the trails. I most certainly want to come back to this park.

This is such a great park to visit whether camping or stopping by for the day. Campgrounds are really nice with clean bathrooms and nice sites. Also whether hiking or biking there are a ton of choices. Really nice swimming beach and picnic areas too. Come and enjoy one of Minnesota's great parks.

I had a day to myself while traveling in this area and a friend suggested I check out the Mississippi headwaters. I had a wonderful time exploring this park. It's only $5.00 for a day pass on your car and you can certainly spend a whole day there. The nice woman in the headquarters suggested some hiking places for someone who wasn't very experienced and I circled a bunch of spots on the map for me. The park was a lot bigger than I had expected! If you don't like traveling on foot they also rent out bikes and boats as well. I visited as the trees were all changing in fall and I bet this is the best time of year to visit. No bugs, not too hot, and beautiful vibrant colors. Other than a negative experience I had in the restaurant at the Douglas Lodge I had a lovely time. I will hopefully come back next year with a bike!

Beautiful park that is fun for the whole family. While my family took a boat tour, I took my bike around the lake on the trails. Though the trail itself does need some work to level it out in portions, it is relatively nice. The wilderness drive was a lot of fun to bike with quite a few scenic spots. Be sure to climb to the top of the fire tower when you are there too.

First time in Minnesota and did a quick visit to the park. Great paths, tons of history, terrific visitor center. Don't forget to stop at the Mississippi headwaters. Great place for the kids to swim!

My favorite place in the state of Minnesota. It's breathtaking and beautiful, and a place to create wonderful memories. I know I'm cheesin' out, but it is so worth it. The park is huge and offers something for everyone. My favorite things include walking/biking/rollerblading the trails, crossing over the headwaters of the Mississippi and walking downstream, seeing the wildlife, climbing the fire tower, and eating chicken wild rice soup at the lodge. There's also a beach and a really nice visitor's center. I would love to say in the cabins sometime, even during winter. Cross country skiing and sipping cocoa by the fire in the lodge would be so much fun. All in all, it's a photographer's dream!

while on our way to bemidji we had to drive through itasca. i was thrilled, and when i say thrilled i mean i've never been happier in my entire life (see picture attached) that we would be driving through the big green block on our GPS. my mom and i decided to go across the headwaters and go to the gift shop. at the headwaters there were a lot of bugs and because i'm terrified of big bugs (horseflies, wasps, etc.) i began to cry and jump around like i was either a) preforming an impromptu improvisational dance as the worlds least graceful ballerina or b) going crazy. the park rangers showed up just as my mom crossed the rocks back from the other side (i had already gone across and back) and i still think that they were down there because of me. we went to the gift shop and it was a nice escape from the insect infested place that is apparently called "wilderness"; i've never heard of it (sarcasm). got a cool shirt but the print on the back stuck to me on a long car ride, but it was satisfying to peel off, sorta like peeling glue off your hands as a kid. all over a good park. i also saw a bear.