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Parks and nature areas are at the heart of the
Lake Country Scenic Byway experience. Travel the Byway and you’ll
encounter two of Minnesota’s most popular and pristine places to
encounter the beauty of nature co-mingled with history.
ITASCA
STATE PARK
Paul Bunyan legend aside, the Mississippi River and
surrounding area was created 10,000 years ago by a mammoth glacier.
The result is a park that can only be considered as a spectacular work
of nature.
Designated as Minnesota’s first state park in
1891, Itasca State Park remains the state’s most popular and the
premier highlight of the Lake Country Scenic Byway. Visited annually
by 500,000 tourists, the Park offers 32,690 acres to explore with 2,000
acres of wilderness sanctuary, designated as a National Natural Landmark.
The park’s main distinction is home to the famed
Headwaters of the Mississippi River. Visitors love to indulge in the
historic tradition of stepping across the trickling waters on the famous
stones that form the source of the mighty Mississippi. From this small
trickle, the river begins its 2,552 mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
From a recreational,educational and historical perspective,
Itasca State Park’s wealth of resources offer experiences that
visitors treasure...
RECREATIONAL
Headwaters of the Mississippi – Legend says
that those who step across the Mississippi River at its source will
live a long and fruitful life. Visit the Mississippi River at its source
and walk across the headwaters.
Swimming Beach –
The park’s swimming beach and changing house
are located just south of Brower Inn.
Boating & Canoeing–
Bring your boat or canoe to enjoy these historic
waters. You can also rent boats, canoes and fishing gear all on site.
Or, join your friends on a narrated naturalist tour of Lake Itasca aboard
the “Chester Charles” excursion boat. The boat departs from
the pier below Douglas Lodge.
Touring - Wilderness Drive –
This 10-mile, one-way scenic drive heads west from
the Headwaters and ends near Douglas Lodge. There are many spectacular
sights along the drive.
Biking –
A 5.8-mile, paved bicycle trail along the east side
of Lake Itasca connects the Douglas Lodge area to the Mississippi Headwaters.
For the full bike tour of Itasca State Park, continue around Wilderness
Drive–another 10 miles of spectacular scenery. Bike rentals available.
Birding -
Itasca State Park is a great birding site--see the
common loon, northern goshawk, alder flycatcher, winter wren and much
more.
Hiking -
Over a dozen different hiking trails can be enjoyed
throughout the park in a range of lengths and some with interpretive
signs. Itasca State Park hikers can also link to the North Country National
Scenic Trail, a 32,000-mile foot trail considered America’s longest
that crosses the northern US from New York to North Dakota.
Camping
Pine Ridge Campground –
158 campsites are available, 65 are electric sites.
Three modern toilet facilities with hot showers available mid-May through
early October. In winter, camping is rustic, with pit toilets, and water
is available at Park Headquarters.
Bear Paw Campground –
79 campsites are available; 68 are drive-in sites,
34 are electric and 11 are cart-in sites (300 yards or less). One modern
toilet facility with showers.
Backpack Sites –
Eleven backpack campsites are available year-round
with a 1- to 5-mile hiking distance into the southern half of the park
for your exclusive use.
Group Camps-
Two are available. Lake Ozawindib is a semi-modern
site with staff cabin, dining hall with kitchen, modern toilet facility
with showers and tenting area. Elk Lake is a primitive group camp site
with water, pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, small shelter and
tenting area.
Lodging, Dining & Gift Shops
Historic Douglas Lodge –
Open Memorial Day through early October, the Douglas
Lodge has been accommodating guests for over 90 years. It has a large,
relaxing lobby with a stone fireplace, a dining room and a coffee shop
open to the public, and redecorated, historic suites and guest rooms
on the second floor. One-, two- and three-bedroom cabins are also located
in the Douglas Lodge area.
Itasca Clubhouse-
10-room facility perfect for family reunions or groups.
Nicollet Court Motel - offers eighteen units
situated on two floors.
Mississippi Headwaters Hostel is a 1922 historic
log building restored in 1992 offering clean, comfortable year-round
accommodations.
Gift Shops –
The Headwaters Gift Shop and the Forest Inn Gift
Shop carry a broad mix of gifts, souvenirs, books and clothing.
Picnic Areas –
Picnic along Lake Itasca. A picnic shelter is available
and can be rented.
Winter Facilities
Forest Inn –
The south end of this facility is open during the
winter as a warming shelter. Park information and a fireplace are available.
Backpack Sites –
Eleven backpack campsites are available year-round
with a 1- to 5-mile hiking distance into the southern half of the park.Cross-Country
Skiing & Snowmobiling are possible on many of the park trails.
Snowshoeing –
Trails not designated for skis or snowmobiles are
available for snowshoeing. The Dr. Roberts and Schoolcraft Trails are
two of the more popular snowshoeing trails.
EDUCATIONAL
The Itasca State Park area offers a rolling, glacial moraine landscape
interlaced with 100 lakes. Wildlife and birds abound. Towering red and
white pines, many of which are over 200 years old, include Minnesota’s
oldest and largest state tree-the Red pine can be viewed here. The Visitor
Center and museum teach more about the Itasca story. Interpretive trails,
observation tower, scenic overlooks and observation areas can be found
and enjoyed throughout the park.
Interpretive Programs – Campfire programs, nature hikes, tours
and children’s activities are offered seven days a week during
the summer and fall, weekends during winter and spring. Check park information
boards or ask for a copy of the current schedule. Join in the fun!
HISTORIC FEATURES
The Headwaters region has been the site of human habitation for thousands
of years, serving as a crossroads for migration and trade. Following
exploratory visits by British surveyor-fur trader David Thompson in
1798 and Zebulon Pike in 1806, all searching for the river’s origins,
the Headwaters was officially discovered as the starting point of the
mighty Mississippi River by Henry Schoolcraft in 1832.
Today, Itasca State Park is still alive with area
history to see and enjoy. A historic buildings walking tour covers several
of the most famous buildings in Itasca, including some of the following:
• Mississippi Headwaters Hostel is a 1922 historic log building.
• Wegmann Store Site lets visitors view the ruins of the Lake
Itasca Post Office and a replica of the Theodore Wegmann store.
• Bison Kill Site is the scientific excavation site of ancient
bison hunters who camped here 7,000 years ago.
• Nicollet Cabin is a historic cabin built in 1918, used as a
forestry cabin.
• Douglas Lodge is a century-old building accommodating guests
with beautifully-restored rooms, lobby and two dining rooms.
• Itasca Clubhouse, built in 1910, is one of Itasca’s most
unique and historic log buildings.
• Old Timer’s Cabin, also known as the honeymooners cabin,
was constructed in 1934 of huge white pine side walls by the Civilian
Conservation Corps.
For more information on Itasca State Park,
or for park maps, visit: www.dnr.state.mn.us/parks_and_recreation/state_parks/itasca
TAMARAC
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge could be considered a hidden jewel
in the treasure chest of natural resources the traveler will find along
the Lake Country Scenic Byway.
Unique 43,000-acre preserve was established in 1938 as a perpetual breeding
ground and sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife. Much of
the early development was accomplished by the CCC in the 1930s &
1940s. Today, it stands as one of the most diverse and complete collections
of wildlife habitats and wild lands in the world. As a premier natural
resource on the Pine-To-Prairie Birding Trail, the Tamarac National
Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places in Minnesota to view birds
and wildlife.
The refuge is also home to visitor Science &
Nature Centers, programs, bookshop, auto tours, hiking trails, hunting
and fishing. All programs and parking are free to the public.
For more information see the historical section,
or contact the local chamber of commerce:
Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber:
http://www.visitdetroitlakes.com
Park Rapids Area Chamber:
http://www.parkrapids.com
Leech Lake Area Chamber:
http://www.leech-lake.com
Itasca State Park:http://www.dnr.state.mn.us
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