Itasca State Park

About

Itasca State Park holds one of Minnesota's most iconic experiences: the chance to stand at the very spot where the Mississippi River begins. Here, the mighty river that eventually stretches a mile wide starts as a gentle stream you can walk across on stepping stones. It's a surprisingly moving moment, and one that draws visitors from around the world.

Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota's oldest state park, covering over 32,000 acres of forests, lakes, and wetlands. The park protects some of the state's last remaining stands of old-growth red and white pine, trees that tower overhead and fill the air with their distinctive scent.

The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center serves as the main gateway to the headwaters area. Named for a woman who risked her life protecting the park's pine forests from loggers, the center features outdoor exhibits, a gift shop, and a cafe. From the parking lot, a sidewalk leads past two flagpoles and a large metal globe before reaching the headwaters trail. Grasses, wildflowers, and pine trees line the accessible walkway to the river's starting point.

Beyond the headwaters, there's plenty to explore. The park offers over 49 miles of hiking trails winding through old-growth forests and along lakeshores. Fishing, swimming, and boating are popular on Lake Itasca and the park's other lakes. The Wilderness Drive, a scenic one-way road, passes through towering pines and offers pulloffs at key points of interest including a 2,000-year-old Native American burial mound area called Wilderness Sanctuary.

Douglas Lodge, a historic log building on the shores of Lake Itasca, houses a full-service restaurant right inside the park. Overnight visitors can choose from cabins, a historic lodge, or Pine Ridge Campground with its 155 sites.

The park is open year-round, with each season offering something different. Summer brings swimming and paddling, fall transforms the hardwoods into brilliant color, and winter opens up cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Spring is quieter but lovely, with wildflowers emerging across the forest floor.

Accessibility

Itasca State Park offers several specific accessibility features for visitors with mobility needs. The trail from the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center to the headwaters of the Mississippi River follows an accessible paved sidewalk, allowing wheelchair users and those with mobility aids to reach this signature attraction.

The park provides an all-terrain wheelchair (Trackchair) available seasonally from May through October at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. Reservations are preferred for the Trackchair, so calling ahead is recommended. An electric scooter is also available seasonally (May through October) at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pine Ridge Campground includes two wheelchair-accessible campsites among its 155 total sites. The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center parking lot includes designated accessible parking spaces.

The stepping stones across the headwaters themselves are natural rocks in shallow water, which may present challenges for some visitors. However, viewing the headwaters is fully possible from the accessible trail without crossing the stones.

For the most current information about accessible trails, restroom facilities, lodging accommodations, and any seasonal changes to accessibility equipment availability, contact the park directly. Staff can help coordinate Trackchair reservations and advise on which trails and facilities best meet your specific needs.

More accessible places in Minnesota

• Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul)
• Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (Minneapolis)
• Minnesota Zoo (Apple Valley)
• Mall of America (Bloomington)
• Minneapolis Institute of Art (Minneapolis)
• Voyageurs National Park (International Falls)