National park · United States
Itasca State Park
Enter Itasca State Park for a half‑day walk to the Mississippi headwaters (entry $9) or a full‑day old‑growth forest hike (entry $9, guide optional).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
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Area
132 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (132 km²)
approximate
Established
1891
Best months
Apr–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 132 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (132 km²)
- Park size is listed as 132.2 km² (≈32,690 acres); some sources round to 130 km², so figure may vary slightly.
- Established
- 1891
- Best months
- Apr–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Minneapolis
Itasca State Park, Minnesota’s oldest state park, protects old‑growth pine forest, glacial‑formed lakes and the Mississippi River headwaters, offering hiking, wildlife viewing and historic interpretation.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteMinnesota's oldest state park.
Size and age
132 km² (51 sq mi)51 sq mi (132 km²) · national park since 1891
Park size is listed as 132.2 km² (≈32,690 acres); some sources round to 130 km², so figure may vary slightly.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Minneapolis.
Why go
- See the source of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca.
- Walk through old‑growth pine forest over 500‑year‑old trees.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet.
- FebSnowshoeing possible.
- MarMelting snow, trails open.
- AprWildflowers, mild temps.
- MayFull foliage, comfortable.
- JunWarm, long days.
- JulMosquitoes, heat.
- AugSame as July.
- SepCooler, fewer bugs.
- OctFall colors start.
- NovCold, quiet.
- DecSnowy scenery.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White‑tailed deer, beaver, black bearMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Songbirds, raptorsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Minneapolis
Drive US‑71 north 2 h 30 m (≈150 km (93 mi)) to the park entrance.Drive US‑71 north 2 h 30 m (≈93 mi (150 km)) to the park entrance.
2.5 h
Open the page →
From International Falls
US‑71 south 1 h 30 m to the park.
1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Itasca & Headwaters Center | Lake, visitor center, gift shop, restrooms. | Open daily, free with park entry. |
| Old‑Growth Forest Trails | Network of marked trails through ancient pine. | Open with park entry; some trails need guide in winter. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Minnesota DNR site; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per vehicle) | US$9 | vehicle | Covers all day use; check for seasonal discounts. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs on leash no longer than 6 ft; clean up waste.
- Fires
- Only in designated fire rings; may be closed in dry season.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; backcountry camping requires permit.
Where to stay
Near the park
Itasca State Park Campgrounds
Tent and RV sites with water and dump; reservation required in summer.
Near the park
Grand Rapids, MN
Hotels and motels 30 km (19 mi) south of the park.Hotels and motels 19 mi (30 km) south of the park.
Safety
Mosquitoes medium
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main parking lot and visitor center are wheelchair accessible.
- Trails vary; some are paved and suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile old‑growth forest.
- Pack out all trash; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Itasca State Park?
Entry is $9 per vehicle per day; children under 5 are free.
What are the best hikes in Itasca State Park?
The Old‑Growth Pine Trail (2–4 h) and the Lake Itasca Headwaters walk (30 min) are top choices.
When is the best time to visit Itasca State Park?
Late spring to early fall (May–September) offers mild weather and full trail access.
Can I camp inside the park?
Yes, at the designated campgrounds; backcountry camping needs a permit.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs are allowed on leash; other pets are not permitted.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Itasca State Park
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