Itasca State ParkItasca State Park is the oldest of Minnesota's state parks. It was established to mark the Mississippi River headwaters that flows from Lake Itasca and to protect the vast stands of pine from loggers.
Early childhood memories include many trips to Itasca State Park and the inevitable scramble across the slippery rocks of the Mississippi River headwaters. I usually fell into the gently flowing stream and didn't care if I did. Even now it is hard to imagine that the mighty Mississippi River is born in this peaceful waterway that flows from Lake Itasca and ends, 2,552 miles away in the Gulf of Mexico. Itasca is the oldest, and most famous, of our state parks. Facilities at the park include the Headwaters History Center, Douglas Lodge and Museum, a gift shop, and bike and boat rental outlets. Activities include weekly naturalist programs during the summer months, guided boat tours on Lake Itasca, the annual Ozawindib Walk (5K or 10K), the Headwaters 100 Bike Ride/Race, and a variety of daily events.
Put yourself at the scene for a few seconds: Of course there is much more to do in the park than visiting the headwaters. Check back often for an
updated calendar of events.
Entrance to the park is 21 miles north of Park Rapids on U.S. Highway 71. From Bemidji the park is 30 miles south on US Hwy 71.
Itasca State Park lodging 
There is a memorial in the park to another part of my family history. My father pastored churches in several small towns in northern Minnesota. One of those churches, the Osage Baptist Church, was scheduled to be demolished. Townspeople lobbied to save it as a historical building and it was eventually moved to Itasca State Park where it now can be visited in the Pioneer Farmers Exhibit.The Itasca area's old-growth pine forests are almost as famous as the Mississippi river headwaters. One of the things I like most to do in the park is to drive the Norway Pine (Red Pine) shaded roads. Preacher's Grove is one of many places to view these stunning and stately trees. Itasca park was established in 1891 primarily to preserve remnant stands of virgin pine and to protect the basin around the Mississippi's source. It is wonderful to still be able to walk in this old growth pine forest. This park truly is a significant natural and cultural landmark in North America.
Have You Visted a
|
Subscribe to
Minnesota News
Best of Minnesota!
Minnesota Vacations
Things to Do in Minnesota
Minnesota Hotel Deals
Minnesota Bed and Breakfast Inns
Minnesota Vacation Packages
Cheap Flights to Minnesota
Minnesota Restaurants
Things to Do by MN City
Romantic Getaway in
Minnesota Website