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The Itasca State Park Campground
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Minnesota: Itasca State Park Campground
The Itasca Stater Park, claiming over 32,000 acres has within the park the source of the
Mississippi River. The claim that Lake Itasca is the source of the Mississippi has been disputed for decades because the Lake Itasca has numerous streams and creeks flowing into it from other lakes at higher elevations. But more on that later. Also included in the state park are large tracts of what remains of old growth red pine, white pine forests. Furthermore
Istasca state park was established in 1891 making it the oldest state park. The purpose of creating this park was to conserve and protect both the old growth forests and the water surrounding the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The rolling landscape within the area enshrouds one hundred lakes or more, great old growth forests including a variety of pine, spruce, birch, oak, and maple trees
Those of the wise men here in Minnesota believe that over 10,000 years ago, this part of North America was shaped by the glaciers of the ice age
Location:
The campground is located
Address:
Coordinates:
Elevation:
feet
Geographical Region:
Interior Lowlands
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Onsite:
Mississippi Headwaters area trail; Mississippi River Road and Bikeway; Doctor Roberts Trail and cabin; Aiton Heights fire tower; Wilderness Drive (10 mile-one way); eight miles of paved bike trails; forty-five miles of hiking trails; naturalist programs (seasonal); gift shops; rustic and historic buildings; Canoe, kayak, paddleboard rental; fishing and piers; fish cleaning shelters; swimming; picnicking; boating; several visitors centers; Historic Douglas Lodge; several restaurants;
North Country Trial.
Nearby:
State
Paul Bunyan and Babe the "Blue Ox" Statue and State Forest
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians
Two Inlets State Forest
Mississippi Headwaters State Forest
Federal
Tamarak National Wildlife Refuge
Chippewa National Forest
Minnesota Choppewa Tribe, Leech Lake Band
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General Information:
Federal Parks Passes:
Include:
Access, Annual, Gold Star, Military, Senior, Veterans and Volunteer.
Benefits:
All Federal Parks Passes covers entrance fees at lands managed by: National Parks Services (NP) and US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS). Also, a Federal Park pass will cover standard amenity fees (Day Use Fee) at lands managed by: the National Forest Service (NF), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Bureau of Reclamation (BR) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
At most of the above listed federal park locations, Federal Parks Pass holders will receive half off camping fees.
Fees:
Fees, Entrance:
State Park Permit
One day Pass: $7.00
Annual Pass: $35.00
Annual Pass for Military, Disabled Veterans: Free
Fees, Camping:
Tent Camping: $25.00
RV w/Electric: $35.00
Campground Includes:
fire pits, grill, picnic tables, tent pad
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The 2025 Journey,
Minnesota: The Itasca State Park
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(Day
610 TS) 38°F. 7:00 am, sunny
38°F. 7:00 am, sunny
Journey On, Day 74
Sleeping in the Jammer
Itasca State Park, Pine Ridge Campground
Campsite number 180, Maple Loop
Arrived yesterday afternoon to camp for one night. Even though the prices are very high, I choose to stay one night so as to get a hot shower and plug into the electric to charge my batteries. Also, I was able to run my electric heater to keep me warm, especially since the temperature dropped into the mid 30s during the night
Barely Warm Shower
I have to say that the shower house here in this campground had one of the most disappointing showers that I have taken in a very, very long time. The water was barely warm which only cause me to be chilled. I was glad that I selected to pay the extra ten dollars for the electric site in order to have an electrical plug to plug my heater into and finally get warmed up.
If I ever come back to Minnesota, I will make it a point of bypassing this campground and look elsewhere for some place to camp.
(m4camp-02-mn-itasca-2025-1013.0843) Camping in the North Woods Lake Country
The Drive Out
Since the pack out time is 4pm, I am able to linger for a much longer time that most state parks and get more work done on my computer. When I do leave, which was already three this afternoon, I dump my garbage, and take a couple of photos of the state park as I drive south to the park entrance where I also take a photo of the signage.
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The Wayƒarers Journal.
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See Ya above the Treeline!
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This Page Last Updated: 31 August 2026
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