Jewel of the Park Rapids area
P
ark Rapids is the undisputed gateway to Itasca State Park. The south park entrance is a 19-mile drive from Park Rapids north on U.S. Highway 71. The east entrance is only a couple miles farther north, near the junction of Highways 71 and 200.
Itasca Itasca State State Park Park
Itasca State Park encompasses Lake Itasca, the official source of the Mississippi River, and is a scenic area of northern Minnesota that has remained relatively unchanged from its natural state. Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota’s oldest state park.
HOOF IT THROUGH AMERICA’S RUGGED HEARTLAND From New York to North Dakota, hikers can find adventure along the North Country Trail. Traversing through seven states, the trail is the longest national scenic trail in the U.S. It’s the only one in Minnesota. The trail enters Minnesota near Jay Cooke State Park and winds toward the Chippewa National Forest, Hubbard County, the Paul Bunyan State Forest and the scenic Itasca Moraine landscape before heading further south through Maplewood State Park and on to the North Dakota border. Upon reaching Itasca State Park, the trail is in the neighborhood of the Mississippi headwaters before turning south and following the Laurentian Divide. The trail path is natural, with roots and snags removed and overhanging limbs trimmed for unimpeded travel. Open to foot traffic only, the hikers, berry pickers, hunters, birdwatchers, geocachers, snowshoers and anyone else walking this trail are in for a treat: it meanders through forested hills and valleys interspersed with rivers, lakes, and numerous wetlands. Short day hikes or overnight hikes are possible. Maps, events and suggested hikes are available at northcountrytrail.org/llc.
TAKE A BOAT CRUISE TO THE HEADWATERS Lake Itasca Tours offers narrated boat tours to the Mississippi River headwaters. Aboard the 141-passenger Chester Charles II, the boat cruise follows the same route taken by Ozawindib in 1832 when he guided Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, where they recorded the source of the greatest river in the U.S. as it begins its flow 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.
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Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Stand under towering pines at Preacher’s Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann’s Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota’s seven National Natural Landmarks. But the main attraction is walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River on stones at the mouth of Lake Itasca. There are plenty of other outdoor activities to do at the park, such as taking an excursion boat on Lake Itasca, exploring along Wilderness Drive, biking or hiking along more that 30 miles of designated trails, fishing in one of the many lakes, observing the wild flowers in season or birding. Like the entire Park Rapids area, wildlife can be seen throughout the park. For more information about events and schedules, call Itasca State Park headquarters at 218-699-7251 or go to dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/Index.html.
