Lakeside camping · Minnesota
Itasca State Park
Camp at the headwaters of the Mississippi
SettingLakeside
StateMinnesota
Best seasonSummer & fall
ReserveMinnesota State Parks
Minnesota’s oldest state park, where you can wade across the infant Mississippi River as it trickles out of Lake Itasca through old-growth pines. Quintessential Northwoods.
Don’t missThe Mississippi Headwaters
RVs & rigsRV sites with electric
What’s here
- Headwaters wade-across
- Old-growth red pines
- Wilderness Drive
- Bike & paddle trails
Reservation windows, fees, and seasonal/road closures change — confirm with the managing agency (Recreation.gov, the state park system, or the forest/BLM office) before you go, and check fire restrictions and pack-it-out rules, especially for free dispersed sites.
Build a trip around a camp like this.
Roamward turns spots like this into a real road trip on your phone — the scenic drive, the stops, and the detours, planned around the vibe you’re after. Get early access: