August 20th, 2008 Itasca State Park

Itasca State Park is located in North Central Minnesota, it’s Minnesota’s oldest State Park and the Nations second oldest State park behind Niagra Falls State Park. As most Minnesota residents know it is the source of the Mississippi River, and attracts roughly a half million visitors a year to cross the headwaters of the Mississippi. We were in a bit of a rush both my wife and I had crossed the Mississippi several times so after crossing the river, we hit a 2 hour boat tour run by Coborn Cruises eating/getting take out from Douglas Lodge (while the cruises do not allow outside food, food purchased at Douglas Lodge is allowed on the boat). It was a 2 hour Naturalist led tour up and down all of Lake Itasca, a good way to start the visit if you have never been their, they point out all the highlights during the cruise. Be sure to double/triple check the times of the cruises as they vary seasonally, and many of the Park Staff as well as the brochure’s printed by Coborn Cruises did not have the correct times (or were out of date). Were late in the summer but, we did see a Blue Heron, some Eagles, and some Loon’s.

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