Forum Discussion

DonnaOsborne195's avatar
Jul 10, 2018

Itasca State Park in Minnesota

We will make our first trip to MN in the fall. Itasca State Park will be out of the way for us. Has anyone visited there, and is it worth making the effort and spending the time there? We're looking forward to seeing fall foliage.
  • Well, I'm biased as I live in Southern Minnesota and have been to Itasca multiple times. It is one of the nicest State Parks in Minnesota. The visitor center is well worth seeing (plan several hours for sure), the campgrounds are excellent, and the hiking superb. As Johno02 mentioned, walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi is a unique experience! Also, there is a fun narrated boat tour of Lake Itasca - takes about 2 hours and is not expensive. There is also a nature drive worth doing. You can rent both bicycles and small boats too. Oh, I should mention mosquitoes. Sometimes they are not at all bad, but after a rain there can be more of them. Deep Woods Off works well to keep them away. Last time we were there, I got a refrigerator magnet... shows a mosquito with a napkin around its neck and holding a knife and fork in its legs. Caption is "Send more tourists, the last were delicious!".

    I hope you decide to visit Itasca State park, it is in a beautiful part of Minnesota.
  • walked across many years ago. no big deal. 30 minutes tops. sort of like standing in 4 corners, except you know you are at exact location, not off by a ways.
    bring mosquito repellent.
    bumpy
  • Be sure and walk across the Mississippi river where it comes out of the lake. But don't try the stepping stones. Just wade, you will stay dryer. Those stepping stones are SLICK!!