The Mississippi River headwaters at Itasca State Park

Itasca & the Northwest

The Mississippi headwaters at Itasca, Bemidji, and the country west to the Red River and north to Lake of the Woods.

Photo: Robbschultz69, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Planning guides

The Buffalo River curving around a grassy bend under bare autumn trees and gray sky in Buffalo River State Park

Buffalo River State Park

Buffalo River State Park guide: 44 drive-in campsites (35 electric), 12 miles of trail into one of Minnesota's largest prairies, river fishing, fees and seasons.

Wooden bog boardwalk and interpretive sign in a cedar forest at Hayes Lake State Park near Roseau, Minnesota

Hayes Lake State Park

Hayes Lake State Park guide: 35 campsites and 2 camper cabins, an electric-motor-only fishing lake, trail miles, the bog boardwalk, permits and seasons.

Headwaters rocks and marker post where the Mississippi River leaves Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park, Minnesota

Itasca State Park

Itasca State Park guide: the Mississippi headwaters walk, Wilderness Drive, campgrounds, Douglas Lodge rooms and cabins with nightly rates, permits and seasons.

Lake Bemidji State Park entrance sign with carved bears, picnic tables and the lake behind the trees

Lake Bemidji State Park

Lake Bemidji State Park guide: 95 campsites and 4 year-round camper cabins, the bog boardwalk, trail closures after the 2025 storm, permits and seasons.

Walkway across the old Lake Bronson Dam and full reservoir in 2017, before the dam replacement project

Lake Bronson State Park

Lake Bronson State Park guide: what is closed during the dam replacement, which campground stays open, the WPA tower, 14 miles of trail, permits and seasons.

Beaver Lake below fall-colored hills, with rust-colored marsh grass in front, at Maplewood State Park

Maplewood State Park

Maplewood State Park guide: campgrounds, camper cabins and horse camp, Hallaway Hill and 25 miles of trail, fall color, permits and what is open by season.

Table, two wooden chairs and an oil lamp inside the log pioneer cabin at Old Mill State Park, light coming through the door

Old Mill State Park

Old Mill State Park guide: the historic Larson Mill and Grinding Day, 25 riverside campsites (10 electric), 7 miles of trail, the swimming pond, fees and seasons.

Three kayakers paddling the Mississippi River past green reeds and pine forest at Schoolcraft State Park

Schoolcraft State Park

Schoolcraft State Park guide: 28 rustic drive-in campsites on the Mississippi near Deer River, old pine trails, boat access, fees and seasons.

Sun setting over the entrance to Zippel Bay on Lake of the Woods, framed by autumn trees and rocks in Zippel Bay State Park

Zippel Bay State Park

Zippel Bay State Park guide: 57 drive-in campsites on Lake of the Woods, the white sand beach, marina and fishing pier, trails, winter access, fees and seasons.

State parks in this region

9 state parks. Compare all 64 in the park finder.

ParkNearest townCampingDetails
Buffalo RiverMoorheaddrive-in, electricOur guide
DNR page
Hayes LakeRoseau35 drive-in, 18 electric, 2 backpack; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
ItascaPark Rapids223 drive-in, 160 electric, 11 cart-in, 11 backpackOur guide
DNR page
Lake BemidjiBemidji95 drive-in, 43 electric; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Lake BronsonLake Bronson152 drive-in, 67 electric, 3 backpack, 1 canoe-inOur guide
DNR page
MaplewoodPelican Rapids71 drive-in, 32 electric, 3 backpack; camper cabinsOur guide
DNR page
Old MillArgyle and New Foldendrive-in, electricOur guide
DNR page
SchoolcraftDeer River28 drive-inOur guide
DNR page
Zippel BayWilliamsdrive-inOur guide
DNR page

Source: Minnesota DNR park data, retrieved November 11, 2026. Check the DNR page before you go.