Demo
Northwoods · state park
Itasca State Park
Headwaters of the Mississippi
Status
Open now
Hours today
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Drive time
210 min
Parking
62% full
Weather & safety
NWS10 min ago68°F
Partly cloudy
Air quality: Good
Air quality: Good
Prototype safety guidance only. Always tell someone your plan.
Congestion right now
Park counters5 min agoParking62%
Visitor center queue34%
Boat launch58%
Beach crowding71%
Try mornings before 10 AM for a quieter visit.
What you can do here
hiking
biking
paddling
swimming
fishing
camping
cabins
picnic
nature center
overlook
wildlife
accessible trail
accessible restroom
pets
food
store
lodging
Unavailable activities are hidden to keep the view clean.
Know before you go
Minnesota's oldest state park. Walk across the beginning of the Mississippi, old-growth red pines, quiet paddling and the historic Douglas Lodge.
- Vehicle permit required — day or annual
- Pets on 6-foot leash on designated trails
- Pack water. Cell service is limited
- Bear-safe food storage recommended
History, ecology & Indigenous cultural context
Cultural context
Ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe). Interpretation developed with Tribal partners.
Content produced in partnership; final wording requires community review before public release.
Trails
Programs & events
Amenities
Hiking
Biking
Paddling
Swimming
Fishing
Camping
Cabins
Picnic
Nature center
Overlook
Wildlife / birding
Accessible trail
Accessible restroom
Pets
Food
Store
Lodging
Nearby
Lodging
12 within 15 mi
Restaurants
24 within 15 mi
Outfitters
6 within 15 mi
Urgent care
2 within 15 mi
EV charging
5 within 15 mi
Visitor centers
3 within 15 mi
Prototype disclaimer
All conditions, hours, and counts on this page are simulated for the prototype. For real-time information, refer to the operating agency. See Data Sources.