
Itasca State Park headwaters

Miss River new Lake Itasca State Park
Contact Information
Itasca State Park
36750 Main Park DrivePark Rapids, MN 56470
21 miles North of Park Rapids on US Hwy 71. From Bemidji the park is 30 miles south on U.S. Highway 71.
Get DirectionsAbout
Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota's oldest State Park. In this 32,000 acre sanctuary, the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,552 mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Points of interest include old growth pine at Preacher's Grove, Peace Pipe Vista, bison kill site and over 100 lakes. The historic Douglas Lodge includes rental rooms, cabins & the Itasca Suites. Great birding site for Common Loon, Black-backed woodpecker, Alder Flycatcher, Winter Wren and more. Cross-country ski trails.
In addition to Itasca State Park's more than 200 campsites, the park is home to "Minnesota’s Own Resort," the historic Douglas Lodge, located near the Mississippi Headwaters. It contains guest rooms, meeting rooms, a dining room, lobby & office. A variety of other lodging facilities are available, from log cabins to the Clubhouse, a ten-room log building ideal for family gatherings.
Nestled within you will find the Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary. Established in 1939 within Itasca State Park at the suggestion of the Minnesota Academy of Science, to preserve a part of the wilderness character of the state that existed prior to logging and settlement. In 1965, it became Minnesota's first National Natural Landmark. Most of the Sanctuary (1601 acres) was designated a state Scientific and Natural Area in 1989, as the finest example of Great Lakes Pine Forest in north-central Minnesota.
The SNA is located along the western side of Lake Itasca and protects roughly two miles of undeveloped shoreline along the lake. A mosaic of eighteen native plant occupies the site, dominated by fire-dependent red pine–white pine forest communities.
More than 280 native plant species have been documented here, including several varieties of lady's-slipper orchids. State-listed plant species include but are not limited to Oakes' pondweed (endangered in Minnesota), cuckoo flower and goblin fern (both threatened in Minnesota).
Dates
Park permits: $35 annual, $26 second vehicle, $12 handicapped, or $7 daily. Camping fees are separate.Book an online reservation 24 hours a day.
Phone reservations can be made by calling 866-857-2757 (TTY: 952-936-4008)
More Information
Seasonality
- Open in fall
- Open in winter
- Open in summer
On-Site Facilities & Services
- Children's programs (scheduled, supervised)
- Evening entertainment (regularly scheduled)
- High-speed Internet available
- Located on a lake or river
- Restaurant
- WiFi
On-Site Recreation
- Bicycle rental
- Bike trail
- Canoes or kayaks available
- Cross-country ski trail (groomed)
- Fishing boat motors available
- Fishing boats available
- Hiking trail
- Lake/river access (boat ramp)
- Playground
- Pontoon boat(s) available
- Snowmobile trail (groomed)
- Snowshoes available
- Swimming beach
Indoor Lodging Amenities
- Air conditioned units available
- Fireplace in room(s)
- Kitchen/kitchenette(s)
Group Accommodations
- Accommodations for tour groups of 40 or more
- Unit(s) that accommodate groups of 10+ people
Resort Plans
- Housekeeping (self catering)
Green Practices
- Energy efficiency/conservation
- Waste reduction/reuse/recycling
Lodging Capacity
- Number of cabins: 13
- Number of rooms in lodge building: 7
- Number of units in condominium arrangement: 16
- Total indoor lodging units available in winter: 12
- Total number of indoor lodging units: 38
Attraction Attributes
- Can accommodate groups of 45 or more
Number/Type of Campsites
- Number of tent-only sites: 22
- Total number of campsites: 237
- Total number of campsites available in winter: 12
Campground Features
- Camping accessible to people with disabilities
- Electric
- Flush toilets in campground
- Group camp facilities
- Hookups available in winter
- Hot showers in campground
- Lodge/central building
- Pets allowed in campsite
- Sanitary dump station
- Secluded campsites
Campground Type
- State Parks Campgrounds
Accessibility Accommodations
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking
- Wheelchair accessible restrooms
- Wheelchair-friendly inside walkways
- All-terrain wheelchairs available
- Other Accessibility Features: Park staff are not available to help with transfer to or from the track chair. If you need help with transfer, please bring someone who can assist you. Each location has a transfer board available. If you have additional transfer equipment that works with your personal chair, please bring that along.
Length of Stay
- Daily rental available
- Daily site rental
- Weekend rental available
- Weekly rental available
Meetings & Conferences
- Banquet facilities maximum capacity: 100
- Facility accommodates meetings for 30 or more
- Meeting/convention facilities maximum capacity: 100
What's Nearby
Mentioned In

Whistle Stop Inn Bed and Breakfast train car interior

Observe roaming bison herds at Minneopa and Blue Mounds State Parks / Roy Son

Northern lights over a houseboat in Voyageurs National Park

Get an up-close view of the middle falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park / Justin Pruden

Follow the Mississippi River's 600-plus-mile journey across Minnesota on the Great River Road

Otter Tail Lake at sunset / Allie Hoeft

The Mississippi River headwaters under a pastel sky at Itasca State Park

A couple explores the hills and river bluffs around Red Wing by motorcycle / Roy Son

Crossing the Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park is a tradition for many in the Park Rapids area / Democratic Travelers

An aerial shot of a fall drive through Frontenac State Park / BJ Schulz

Stars on the exterior of First Avenue in Minneapolis immortalize artists who have played here / Chad Rieder

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Two Harbors / Paul Vincent

Fly fishing on Vermilion River / Zane Spang

Hike to the scenic overlook at Honeymoon Bluff, deep in the Superior National Forest / Roy Son

Credit: Ely Area Tourism Bureau

Minnehaha Falls from below / Lane Pelovsky, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

A real-life rainbow over High Falls in Grand Portage State Park

Family fishing at Itasca State Park / Christy Bruggenthies

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox mural, Bemidji

An aerial view of Faribault Mill's flagship store and factory / Faribault Mill

There's nothing quite like an invigorating winter camping trip / © mumemories - stock.adobe.com

Father and son fall biking at Afton State Park / Paul Vincent

Lake Winona summer paddlers and kayakers / Visit Winona

Magical forests and incredible hiking trails await just off the beaten path at Itasca State Park

Bring your bike along to explore the fantastic trails in and around Itasca State Park

Ride the Mississippi River Trail in downtown St. Paul / Anna Min

Wander the trails at Fort Snelling State Park / Minnesota DNR

Pedal on remote dirt roads and trails in the Chippewa National Forest / Micah Kvidt

Take a scenic loop on Wilderness Drive around Itasca State Park

Biking along the Laurentian Divide / Mesabi Trail

An evening campfire in the Boundary Waters as the northern lights glimmer above / Gary Hamer

The suspension bridge at Jay Cooke State Park

Bike tour America's most legendary waterway on the Mississippi River Trail / Min Enterprises

A woman leans against her RV to enjoy a morning cup of coffee while basking in the forest scenery / Andrey Armyagov - stock.adobe.com

Paddle boarding in Duluth / Visit Duluth

Boat fishing in Lake Margaret in the Brainerd Lakes Area / Paul Vincent

Shafts of sunlight waft through through the trees in Itasca State Park

Observe roaming bison herds at Minneopa and Blue Mounds State Parks / Roy Son

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park / Kurt Barclay, GearJunkie

Downtown St. Paul at sunset / Ernesto Ruiz

The Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park / Kvidt Creative

A packed Bar Lurcat patio in the summer / Krivit Photography, courtesy of Meet Minneapolis

Cross-country skiing at Theodore Wirth Regional Park / Credit: Paul Vincent