MNLounge topic: Itasca State Park

[cheezus]

How many of you MN DUers have been there? If you haven't, you really should. It's a state park that is national park caliber. 20 or so miles of paved bike paths, lake with dock access, great campgrounds, quality dining, historic buildings. Its claim to fame is the "headwaters" of the Mississippi river, but that is actually one of the least interesting attractions. This place is truly one of Minnesota's greatest treasures.

[dflprincess]

1. The headwaters not interesting?

How many people can say they've waded across the Mississippi? It is a neat park. One of my friends has a cabin near there so we've been over for day trips.

My friend worked with a guy from Mississippi and the guy's dad still lived in the Delta. His dad was coming up for a visit and he was trying to figure out what to show him. My pal suggested it might be neat for him to see the headwaters. His dad did get a bang out of seeing the start of the Mississippi.

[cheezus]

6. headwaters is okay, but not the best part of the part

take wilderness drive (it's even better on bicycle) and stop and see the stuff on the way. My favorite is the Aton Heights fire tower. The old CCC constructed buildings are cool, and Douglas lodge can't be missed!
As for the headwaters, I don't know. It's been moved (due to logging back in the day). Also, there's a stream that runs into Lake itasca from Elk Lake -- why is that not the headwaters? For that matter, the little mississippi out of itasca runs into lake Bemidji (as do other water sources) before it leaves that lake as the large mississippi.
So anyway, yeah, go for the headwaters; Stay for all the stuff that's cooler than the headwaters.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. It's also one of the few places in the state to see

old growth trees.

Years ago, my grandfather told me that some timber company had a contract to log Itasca, but they were unable to do so because the winter was too severe, even by Minnesota standards. By the time the contract came up for renewal, the legislature had awakened to the fact that one of their last stands of virgin timber was about to be chopped down, and they set the land aside as a state park instead.

[wellstone dem]

3. Did my first and only backpacking there

with a 9 year old who ended the weekend by saying, "I don't want you to think I enjoyed this or that I ever want to do this again, but I am kind of sorry to see this weekend end."

A wonderful state park.

[grannylib]

4. Too many memories of Itasca to list! We have spent MANY happy

days there, from camping trips with Aunts/Uncles/Cousins when I was a kid, to an idyllic 8 days with Hubby, no kids, to an interesting 5 days with hubby, kids, parents AND in-laws all at once...
It's a wonderful park. The bike trails are awesome, the fishing is great, the loons...well, loons are just the best. Great sunrises/sunsets, and many other beautiful parks within a short distance.
I love Minnesota!

[Sorwen]

5. been there a number of times

A great park for biking. My favorite state parks, though, are the ones along Lake Superior.

[Zookeeper]

7. This summer I visited Lake Itasca for the first time...

I moved to MN years ago, but always went up to Lake Superior or down to Lake Pepin. I had to make a couple of trips to the Bemidji area shuttling kids to and from camp this summer and was very impressed with the parks in the area. Bemidji State Park is also a very nice, smaller park with a great (!) wildflower bog walk and a nice beach.

Legend says wading across the mouth of the Mississippi ensures good luck and prosperity, and who doesn't need that? So, I got over my cranky self and waded across (ouch!).