PARKS & RECREATION Gateway to a treasured natural beauty

from Hubbard County Residents Guide 2023

County on alert for aquatic invasive species

Itasca State Park

Park Rapids is the undisputed gateway to Itasca State Park and the south entrance is a 19-mile drive from Park Rapids north on U.S. Hwy. 71.

The east entrance is only a couple miles farther, then another mile or so west at the junction of Hwy. 71 and State Hwy. 200.

Itasca State Park encompasses Lake Itasca, the official source of the Mississippi River, and 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. 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 will continue to be 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 than 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 the park events and schedules, call Itasca State Park headquarters at 218-699-7251 or go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html.

Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center

The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center opened in 2005 and affords a “river of stories” for guests. The visitor center is named after the brave, young park commissioner, Mary Gibbs.

The “Rivers of the World” sculpture is the focal point, interpretive signs identify the earth’s waterways and the Centennial Plaque, Time Capsule and International Peace Pole also engage visitors.

Outdoor exhibits in a portico allow the center to be open 365 days a year and as visitors enter the portico, they are greeted by quotes from the park’s premier explorers – Ozawindib, Henry

Schoolcraft, Jacob V. Brower and Jean Nicollet.

Visitors get acquainted with the headwaters’ natural history and gain an understanding of the area’s attraction for thousands of years. The changes in transportation are documented through the eras – from Native American travel and trade, to U.S. settlement and expansion to logging.

Along the trail to the headwaters, kiosks draw guests to learn the river’s story with a natural history angle. Park visitors become attuned to its aquatic species, birds, animals, exotic species and plants.

Douglas Lodge

One historic landmark that has welcomed visitors to the park since the beginning of the 20th century is Douglas Lodge. The lodge, a two-story pine log building at the south end of Lake Itasca, has been serving guests since 1905. Few changes have been made to the original lodge, which was built with green, newly cut pine logs harvested in the park.

Jacob V. Brower

Visitor Center

The Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center is the largest visitor center in any of Minnesota’s state parks. The 13,000-square-foot facility has exhibits on the Ojibwe, explorer and pioneer history of the area around Itasca. Land surveyor Jacob Brower lobbied hard to designate this area as a state park in 1891 to protect the pines from logging.