Itasca State Park is where the mighty Mississippi River begins — a modest stream you can walk across on stepping stones at Lake Itasca’s north shore. Spanning over 30,500 acres across Hubbard, Clearwater, and Becker counties, this is Minnesota’s oldest state park, established in 1891 to protect the river’s headwaters and the surrounding old-growth red pine forest.

Standing at the headwaters is the park’s signature experience. Watch as Lake Itasca spills over a small rock dam and becomes the Mississippi, beginning its 2,340-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s one of those rare moments where geography feels personal — kids wade across while adults snap photos of the modest creek that becomes one of the world’s great rivers.

Beyond the headwaters, Itasca offers over 49 miles of hiking trails winding through stands of towering red and white pines, some more than 200 years old. The Wilderness Drive, a one-way scenic loop, passes through old-growth forest and past Preacher’s Grove, a cathedral-like stand of pines. Cyclists can ride the paved Heartland Trail extension, and the park’s lakes are ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing for walleye and northern pike.

The park offers over 200 campsites ranging from drive-in to backpack sites, plus the historic Douglas Lodge for those who prefer a roof overhead. Summer is peak season, but fall brings spectacular color with fewer crowds. Winter visitors can cross-country ski and snowshoe through snow-draped pines in near-solitude.

Explore Nearby

• Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Minnesota
• Chippewa National Forest — National Forest in Minnesota
• Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Minnesota