Top 7 Budget-friendly Things to do in Lake Itasca, Lake Itasca

October 19, 2021 Tambra Mccollister

Discover the best top things to do in Lake Itasca, United States including Itasca State Park, Wilderness Drive, Mississippi Headwaters, Lake Itasca, Preacher's Grove, Aiton Heights Fire Tower, Coborn's Lake Itasca Tours.

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. Wilderness Drive

Lake Itasca, MN
Excellent
82%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 61 reviews

Wilderness Drive

A narrow one-way road that twists and turns through a couple of thousand acres of pine trees at Itasca State Park.

Reviewed By jodinies - Pequot Lakes, United States

We timed this Itasca trip perfect with the early Fall colors September 2020. Wilderness Drive was amazing with the canopy of trees over the road we were immersed in color. Our previous visits had not taken us to Douglas Lodge- the stonework staircase & multiple wood bridges was a surprise treat this trip!

3. Mississippi Headwaters

Itasca State Park, Lake Itasca, MN +1 218-699-7251 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/Itasca/index.html
Excellent
84%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 252 reviews

Mississippi Headwaters

Reviewed By DSP_MPS_Gmail - Point Lookout, United States

I’ve been coming here since I was a little kid, and it’s always a great trip. They improved it greatly about 10-12 years ago by adding the parking lot, gift shop, snack shop, bridges and groomed trails...but those slippery rocks over the birthplace of the great river have stood the test of time. Great place for a quick visit or to stay for a while and play.

4. 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%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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.

5. Preacher's Grove

Lake Itasca, MN
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

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.

6. Aiton Heights Fire Tower

Itasca State Park Minnesota, Lake Itasca, MN 56470
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Aiton Heights Fire Tower

Reviewed By 27kevink - Bismarck, United States

We couldn’t go up since it was closed for the season but there is lots of cool info about it at the bottom and the trail getting to it was a fun little walk. Will be back in the summer to climb it!

7. Coborn's Lake Itasca Tours

Excellent
62%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26 reviews

Coborn's Lake Itasca Tours

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