The Mississippi River Headwaters is located in Itasca State Park and is only 34 miles from Walker MN and Leech Lake. The Mississippi River is 2,552 miles long and winds its way from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. For those of you who have seen the Mississippi River south of Walker or photos of it, you are probably visualizing a wide river. However, at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, you can walk across it…it’s a shallow stream or creek!
Regardless of age, everyone I have taken to the headwaters has enjoyed walking across the Mississippi River. The MN DNR has a panoramic tour you can view online…just to make sure it’s something you want to see and do.
In Minnesota, there aren’t many rivers that flow north; the Mississippi River initially flows north until it finally turns and winds its way south.
After visiting the headwaters, Itasca State Park has other landmarks for you to see. According to the DNR, Itasca State Park is Minnesota’s oldest state park (established in 1891) and has over half a million visitors a year. People can rent pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and bikes. The Park has a beach and fabulous picnic area. Of course, it has lodging and camping, too.
The Wilderness Trail is a “must see”. It is a 16-mile scenic paved road for vehicles, bikes, and hikers. Some of the area’s largest pine trees are in Itasca State Park; there are many pine trees just inches from the side of the road. It’s such a beautiful scenic drive…bring your camera!
The Heather Hauser Group loves Selling the Lake Country™ – because the Leech Lake area has so much to offer. Who wrote this blog? HHG member, Denise.
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