Itasca State Park, situated in Minnesota, USA, is a state park that contains the Mississippi River’s origins.
Covering a vast area of 32,690 acres (132.3 square kilometers) in northern Minnesota, the park is approximately 21 miles (34 kilometers) north of Park Rapids, Minnesota, and 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Bagley, Minnesota. It’s located within Clearwater, Hubbard, and Becker counties and falls within Minnesota’s Pine Moraines and Outwash Plains Ecological Subsection.
Established by the Minnesota Legislature on April 20, 1891, Itasca State Park holds the distinction of being Minnesota’s first state park and the second oldest in the United States, trailing only Niagara Falls State Park.
In 1832, Henry Schoolcraft identified Lake Itasca as the river’s source. This site was recognized as a National Natural Landmark in 1965 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
The park draws approximately 500,000 visitors annually.