The 6 Best Nature & Parks in Lake Itasca, Lake Itasca

September 18, 2021 Kiesha Cripe

Discover the best top things to do in Lake Itasca, United States including Itasca State Park, Lake Itasca, Preacher's Grove, Landmark Interpretive Trail, Red Pine Trail, Bison Kill Site.

1. Itasca State Park

36750 Main Park Dr Intersection of Hwy 71 and Hwy 200 West, Lake Itasca, MN 56470-9722 +1 218-699-7251 [email protected] http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 509 reviews

Itasca State Park

Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota's oldest state park. Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Walk across the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Stand under towering pines at Preacher's Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann's Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota's seven National Natural Landmarks.

Reviewed By 406kathleenw - Eagan, United States

Itasca State Park is one of the gems in northern Minnesota. Home to Lake Itasca, it is over 32,000 acres of forest and lakes that are connected by a web of hiking trails and roads. Our favorite time to visit has been fall, but it is beautiful all year round. There is a rich story that the park tells in the museums, buildings built by the CCC and the interpretive center. The park offers boating, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, and biking. The historic lodge is beautiful and houses a restaurant with a view of the lake. The lodge and restaurant are only open May through September and the rooms in the lodge do not have private bathrooms. However, there are many options for lodging that offer a variety of amenities. The staff throughout the park are very friendly and the everything is very clean. Our favorite parts of the park are the beautifully preserved historic buildings and cabins, the biking trails, and the very well done interpretive center. Our most recent stay lasted a week and we always feel as though we could have spent a few more days.

2. Lake Itasca

Lake Itasca, MN +1 651-296-6157 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html
Excellent
65%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
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4.5 based on 60 reviews

Lake Itasca

Located at Itasca State Park, this is where the Mississippi River begins its passage to the Gulf of Mexico.

Reviewed By DSP_MPS_Gmail - Point Lookout, United States

We rented a pontoon for the day and took in all the sites that Itasca had to offer. A bit windy that day, but with the different arms and coves the lake offered plenty of shelter and shade when we needed it. Fishing was sporadic at best, but still landed some nice ones.

3. Preacher's Grove

Lake Itasca, MN
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
8%
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4.5 based on 24 reviews

Preacher's Grove

Site at Itasca State Park where a religious group once camped.

Reviewed By meinoly

This is one of the nicer red pine groves at Itasca, and it's right by the road. It's a 5-minute stop. If you like it, go on the Wilderness Drive, which has pines that are about equally scenic, but much more abundant.

4. Landmark Interpretive Trail

Lake Itasca, MN
Excellent
33%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
33%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 3 reviews

Itasca State Park's self-guided trail complete with signs.

5. Red Pine Trail

Lake Itasca, MN
Excellent
43%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
36%
Poor
0%
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4.0 based on 14 reviews

Red Pine Trail

Located in Itasca State Park, this path winds through large Norway pines.

Reviewed By 27kevink - Bismarck, United States

This trail is simply beautiful. We hiked it after the first snow and it was awesome getting to see a different perspective of the park. All of the trees had lost their leaves so you could see so much further into the forest. There was wildlife running around and snowflakes falling on you. We will definitely be back in the summer to see it from a different perspective but this was ultra cool in the fall.

6. Bison Kill Site

Lake Itasca, MN
Excellent
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Good
33%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
17%
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3.0 based on 6 reviews

Discovered in the 1930's this area contained over 2000 animal bones and other artifacts.

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