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Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park – Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park, Minnesota (35241005551)📷 Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
Editor's pick

Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park

Park Rapids, MN

Nature

At Lake Itasca you can walk across the Mississippi River on stepping stones where it leaves the lake. The park, Minnesota’s oldest, also has old-growth red pines and a scenic Wilderness Drive; a vehicle permit is required.

Nearest town
Park Rapids, MN
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
47.2396, -95.2074
Editor's pick
★

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Up the Mississippi to its source at Lake Itasca – 2 Behind the frozen falls© Lorie Shaull · CC BY-SA 4.0
371
Things to do in…

Up the Mississippi to its source at Lake Itasca

271 mi7 stops3 days

Nearby

Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox – Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox© Kubber333 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Oddities

Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox

Bemidji, MN
Bonanzaville – Fidget Spinner© Aamiri77 · CC BY-SA 4.0
History

Bonanzaville

West Fargo, ND
Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site – Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum© McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0
History

Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site

Little Falls, MN
Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine View – 1927 White Greyhound bus at the Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing, Minnesota© Lorie Shaull · CC BY 2.0
History

Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine View

Hibbing, MN

Campsites nearby

  • Pine Ridge CampgroundCampsite
    1 mi from Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park
    TentsElectricity
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Long Lake CampgroundCampsite
    6 mi from Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park
    ElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • La Salle Lake State Recreation Area CampgroundCampsite
    7 mi from Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park · 39 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Little Elbow Lake CampgroundCampsite
    19 mi from Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Bagley City Park CampgroundCampsite
    22 mi from Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park · 50 pitches
    TentsCaravansElectricityShowersToilets
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Jack Pines Resort CampgroundMotorhome stopover
    22 mi from Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park
    Motorhomes
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Minnesota · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park?

Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park is in Park Rapids, MN, at GPS 47.2396, -95.2074. It is about 22 mi from Bemidji.

Can you camp near Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Pine Ridge Campground, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 26 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park?

Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Up the Mississippi to its source at Lake Itasca.

What is there to see near Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox (22 mi), Bonanzaville (84 mi), Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site (97 mi) and Hull-Rust-Mahoning Mine View (107 mi).

When is the best time to visit Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)