Post 3 - Headwaters
After much debate, Lake Itasca was determined to be the true source of the Mississippi River and you can easily cross the river here on the slippery rocks.
Posts
Post 2 - Where
Itasca State Park is located at 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids MN 56470. Parts of the park are in Clearwater, Hubbard and Becker Counties of Minnesota. The website is: ITASCA.STATEPARK@STATE.MN.US. or https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ and search for Itasca. The park is located 27 miles north of Park Rapids on US-71 or 32 miles south of Bemidji on US-71. The park has over 32,500 acres, established in 1891. There are over 50 lodging options, or sleep under the stars at a campsite. The Mississippi River starts here and runs 2552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The Great River Road and the Mississippi River Trail Bikeway also begin here.
Post 1 - Intro
This is a blog about Itasca State Park and our many trips over the years. Itasca State Park is well known as the headwaters of the Mississippi River with millions of visitors. Many stop at the the headwaters and the gift shop and miss the rest of this spectacular jewel. The old growth red and white pine forests are so special - found here and in the Boundary Waters . In this picture your author is on the Brower Trail between Preachers Grove and Peace Pipe Vista, highly recommended. The large tree pictured is a Red Pine or Norway Pine, the Minnesota State Tree. If you walk the trail, be sure and stop and notice these majestic monsters - many over 200 years old.