PARKS EVERY SEASON By Caitlin Hannah and Alyssa Hayes Untamed natural beauty covers much of the Minnesota landscape. The state has one of the nation’s greatest, most diverse state park systems with more than 227,000 acres in 75 parks and recreation areas, as well as six national park sites, including the uniquely water-based Voyageurs National Park. Visit any time of year—there’s a park for every season in Minnesota. A PARK FOR SOAK UP THE AUTUMN COLORS AT THE HEADWATERS Walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River is a mighty Minnesota tradition. More than 2,500 miles north of its mile-wide mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, America’s greatest river starts in northern Minnesota at Itasca State Park as a stream tumbling over a few rocks, easily crossed on foot. While the Mississippi is undeniably its star attraction, there’s much more to Itasca State Park than just the headwaters. This 32,690-acre park has it all—especially in fall. Filled with a plethora of trees like ash, basswoods, birch, maple, oak and tamarack, the park makes for quite the breathtaking fall color show. The leaves are most vibrant between mid-September and early-October, and the season’s cooler temps and smaller bug population make this the perfect time to visit. Lace up your hiking boots to view the colors on 49 miles of trails, or climb the 100-foot Aiton Heights Fire Tower for one of the best autumn views in Minnesota. You can also see the fall colors from the water on Coborn’s Lake Itasca Tours through the first week of October. Itasca State Park has more than 200 campsites for tents or recreational vehicles, plus several camper cabins and rooms at the historic Douglas Lodge . Famous for its log cabin design, large stone fireplace and restaurant serving Minnesota favorites like wild rice and walleye, the Douglas Lodge is the epitome of Up North hospitality. Bike path in Itasca State Park -Photo by Peter Hawkins/Danita Delimont FALL Lake Ozawindib -Photo by Peter Hawkins/Danita Delimont Mississippi Headwaters in fall Photo by @lexi4o6 16 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2021 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 16
