Itasca State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
Itasca State Park offers RV camping across 234 sites at Pine Ridge and Bear Paw campgrounds, featuring America's most famous river headwaters, 32,000 acres of virgin pine forests, and over 100 pristine lakes perfect for family adventures. Pine Ridge Campground provides 65 electric hookup sites accommodating rigs up to 60 feet, while strategic locations like Park Rapids RV rentals and Bemidji campervan options offer prime access to Minnesota's second-oldest state park that welcomed over 500,000 visitors in 2024, making it one of the state's most beloved outdoor destinations.
What Makes Itasca State Park the Ultimate RV Destination?
Sprawling across 32,000 acres of ancient forests and dotted with more than 100 glacial lakes, Itasca State Park stands as Minnesota's crown jewel and one of America's most historically significant natural areas. Established in 1891, this is the second-oldest state park in the United States—a testament to Minnesotans' early commitment to preserving pristine wilderness for future generations. Named after a portmanteau of the Latin words "veritas" (truth) and "caput" (head), Itasca reveals its greatest treasure: the Mississippi Headwaters, where you can walk across stepping stones over the humble beginning of America's mightiest river before it embarks on its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
The park's virgin forests of towering red and white pines create a cathedral-like atmosphere as you explore nearly 50 miles of trails winding through diverse ecosystems. These ancient trees, designated as a National Natural Landmark, include specimens over 200 years old reaching heights of 120 feet—survivors of the logging era that claimed most of Minnesota's original pine forests. The 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, established in 1939, remains completely untouched and offers one of the last glimpses of what Minnesota looked like before European settlement.
You'll discover endless adventure opportunities during your RV trip to Itasca, from hiking the scenic Wilderness Drive to paddling across pristine Lake Itasca's 1,800 acres. The park's rich history goes back 8,000 years, when Native American hunters ambushed bison and moose at these watering holes. By the 1500s, permanent settlements had developed, and you can explore the fascinating Bison Kill Site, where archeological excavations continue to reveal secrets of the Woodland Period Indians. The Dr. Roberts Nature Trail showcases rare native orchids blooming in spring and summer, while the Old Timers' Cabin, connected by an accessible boardwalk, tells stories of early park visitors.
Summer is peak season for RVers, with temperatures reaching comfortable 70 to 80 degrees and all facilities operating at full capacity. The late spring and early fall offer mild weather with fewer crowds and spectacular fall foliage as maple forests burst into vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. The park stays accessible year-round, transforming into a winter wonderland with groomed cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and ice skating opportunities. The historic Douglas Lodge, built in 1905, welcomes guests year-round with its lakeside restaurant serving signature wild rice soup and cozy accommodations.
With two main campgrounds offering 234 sites (160 with electric hookups), plus unique accommodations like the historic Douglas Lodge and Forest Inn, Itasca State Park provides a perfect base camp for your Minnesota adventure. Whether you're photographing the record-breaking white pine, casting for crappie and sunfish in pristine lakes, spotting white-tailed deer and black bears, or simply breathing in the fresh pine-scented air, you'll understand why this beloved park has captivated visitors for over 130 years.
RV Rentals in Itasca State Park
Transportation
Driving
Itasca State Park is easily accessible via U.S. Highway 71 and Minnesota State Highway 200, which intersect near the park's main entrance. The park sits approximately 20 miles north of Park Rapids and 21 miles south of Bemidji, making it convenient from both gateway cities. From Minneapolis, expect a scenic three-and-a-half-hour drive northwest through Minnesota's lake country.
The roads leading to Itasca are well-maintained and RV-friendly, though drivers should exercise caution during the winter months when snow and ice can make travel challenging. The park's main entrance road and internal road system easily accommodate large RVs, with Pine Ridge Campground accepting rigs up to 60 feet in length. However, be aware that some sections within the park, particularly roads leading to more remote areas like Bear Paw Campground, feature one-lane passages with sharp turns and overhanging branches—take these slowly with larger vehicles.
The Wilderness Drive, a scenic 10-mile paved route through the park's most pristine areas, is open to all vehicles but requires slow, careful driving to watch for wildlife and cyclists sharing the road. Most park roads remain open from April through October, with winter access limited to designated routes only.
Where Are the Best Gateway Cities for RV Rentals?
Park Rapids Hub—Primary Access: Park Rapids RV rentals position you just 20 miles south of Itasca State Park, making this the most popular base for your Minnesota adventure. This charming resort town offers complete provisioning with grocery stores, outdoor outfitters, RV supplies, and last-minute camping gear. Park Rapids also serves as your gateway to exploring the Heartland Trail, dining along Main Street's walkable downtown, and accessing nearby Maplewood State Park.
Bemidji Northern Gateway: Bemidji RV rentals offer convenient access approximately 21 miles north of the park. This larger city provides urban amenities, the famous Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues on the lakefront, and connections to Lake Bemidji State Park and the vast Chippewa National Forest. Bemidji campervan options work perfectly for couples or small families wanting an agile rig for exploring Minnesota's backroads.
Parking
Parking at Itasca State Park is straightforward and plentiful. Both Pine Ridge and Bear Paw campgrounds offer dedicated RV parking at each campsite, with many sites providing pull-through access for easy maneuvering. The Mississippi Headwaters area features a large parking lot accommodating RVs and vehicles pulling trailers, though it can fill quickly on summer weekends—arrive early for best spots.
The Douglas Lodge area, Wilderness Drive trailheads, and swim beach parking lots all accommodate RVs, though some have low-hanging tree branches requiring caution. The park's visitor center provides ample parking year-round. During peak summer season, popular areas like the headwaters may have parking time limits—check posted signs and plan accordingly.
Public Transportation
Public transportation doesn't serve Itasca State Park directly, but bus service reaches both Park Rapids and Bemidji. From these gateway cities, you'll need a personal vehicle or RV rental to access the park. The remote location and spread-out nature of the park's attractions make having your own transportation essential for exploring Itasca's 32,000 acres fully.
Campgrounds and parking in Itasca State Park
Campsites in Itasca State Park
Reservations camping
Pine Ridge Campground
Pine Ridge Campground is equipped with 155 sites, 65 with hookups, and two with wheelchair accessibility. Rigs up to 60 feet can be accommodated here. Its scenic location on the shores of Lake Itasca makes if a favorite amongst RV campers. During peak season, guests can use the dump station at Bear Paw campground, and during the off-season, there is one available off of the winter access road in Pine Ridge Campground. Flush toilets are available in the summer, and chemical toilets are available in the winter. Like Bear Paw, it's a forested campground, with even heavier forest cover than the other. Tall trees provide both shade and privacy, and while you won't get much of a view from these campsites, you'll enjoy the feeling of being in the forest. The campground is open from May to October, and reservations can be made up to a year in advance.
Bear Paw Campground
Bear Paw Campground offers 79 campsites, and it is open from May through October. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance. Thirty-five sites are full-hookup, eleven are pull-through, and two are wheelchair-accessible. Rigs up to sixty feet can be accommodated. Amenities include showers, restrooms, and a dump station. Sites are generally quite spacious, and there are plenty of tall trees to provide shade. Undergrowth between the sites helps to provide some sense of privacy. There are no prizes for guessing that the Lakeview Loop is where you want to stay if you want a campsite that overlooks the water.
Alternate camping
Backpack Campsites
There are eleven places where backcountry camping is allowed. Each area has a fire ring and a pit toilet.
Lakeside Cabins
One, two, and three-bedroom cabins are available. There are also log housekeeping cabins.
Mississippi Headwaters Hostel
The original park headquarters building has been wonderfully restored and provides accommodations for up to thirty-one guests. There are six rooms with between four and six beds each. There’s also a large living room with a large stone fireplace and a full kitchen.
Douglas Lodge
This 1905 building has retro 1920s furniture and furnishings. Four person suites and two person guest rooms are available. There is also a clubhouse which accommodates up to twenty-one guests. The clubhouse includes private overnight accommodations.
Off-site Campgrounds
If all the spaces at Itasca State Park are taken, you won't have to travel far to find a place to park the campervan for the night. Two Inlets State Forest is just over a half an hour drive to the south of the park, and Paul Bunyan State Forest is just under a half an hour to the east. Both forests offer RV friendly campgrounds, but visitors should note that there are no hookups, dump stations, or showers, so the name of the game will be primitive style camping at these alternative campgrounds.
Seasonal activities in Itasca State Park
In-Season
Big White Pine
If you come to Itasca State Park for an RV vacation during the warm weather months, a photo op at one of the state’s largest white pine trees is pretty much mandatory—the tree is about 112 feet high. The Minnesota record red pine is also nearby. This three-hundred-year-old tree is a staggering 120 feet tall.
Bison Kill Site
The Bison Kill Site is a special place. As mentioned, Stone Age hunters came to this area to ambush game animals. The Bison Kill Site, which is between Lake Itasca and Elk Lake, commemorates these hunting activities. Because the park has been around for over 100 years, the Bison Kill Site is almost completely unspoiled. You can almost picture bands of hunters crouching undercover and quietly waiting for the best moment to hurl their stone-tipped spears. You can also drive past this area in the campervan while exploring the Wilderness Drive.
Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center
Back in the day, Mary Gibbs supposedly faced down a group of armed loggers to prevent them from exploiting the forest. So, the park’s main Mississippi Headwaters Museum and Visitor Center bears her name. The museum has lots of hands-on exhibits. There’s a bridge across the Mississippi Headwaters, or you can walk across it the old-fashioned way and get your feet wet. Other features include a small grill, a swimming area, a fishing area, and a lovely gift shop. There is plenty of parking near the Mississippi Headwaters area, so feel free to park the motorhome nearby and learn about the park's history before heading to your campground.
Hiking
Almost 50 miles of trails crisscross the park. Some highlights include the Dr. Roberts Trail. At the gift shop, visitors can purchase ranger-guided hikes to take along this trail. The orchids are quite pretty in spring and summer. There are also several wheelchair-accessible trails, one of which spans a charming boardwalk that connects Douglas Lodge and the Old Timers’ Cabin.
Swimming
As mentioned, Itasca State Park summers get warm, so you won't want to forget to pack your bathing suit along in the Airstream. A dip in a cold lake is the best way to beat the heat. Swimming is allowed on Lake Itasca, and there is also a nice little beach area. There’s also a Civilian Conservation Corps-era log cabin changing house. Other facilities include a play area, a picnic area, and a volleyball court.
Fishing
When you're in the Land of 10,000 lakes, fishing is a must. Common catches in these parts include walleye, northern pike, muskie, and bass. There are fishing piers located on Itasca Lake and Ozawindib Lake, or you can drop a line from the water via boat. If you didn't tow your own behind the Class B, you could rent one on-site. Be sure you are up to date on your Minnesota fishing license.
Off-Season
Nicolette Cabin
This cabin is at the end of the one-mile Nicolette Trail, which begins at Wilderness Drive, making it an easy pitstop if you're navigating the Class A along the scenic route. The cabin was built in 1911 and restored in 1995. It was initially a forest fire cabin where rangers were stationed during the fire season. Today, it’s a reminder of the park’s past and also an excellent place to escape the cold, winter wind.
Preacher’s Grove
This spot is quite picturesque during winter. A massive forest fire in the early 1700s set the stage for this part of the forest. The stand of trees is perched on the shore of the East Fork of Lake Itasca. So, it’s easy to see why church campers once congregated at this spot. Preachers Grove can be accessed via trail or from the road. If you have time, you should consider a pit stop here during your RV vacation.
Boating
Boating on the various lakes in the park is possible throughout the fall, weather permitting. Lake Itasca often freezes during winter, but even in late fall and early spring, it’s usually open. There are several boat launches located throughout the park at all four lakes—Lake Itasca, Ozawindib Lake, Elk Lake, and Mary Lake. If you didn't tow your own watercraft behind the rig, the park offers rentals of motorboats, pontoons, paddleboats, kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes.
Indian Cemetery
If it’s not Doctor Zhivago cold outside, this place is a nice spot to visit during the off-season. Excavation began in 1890, but lawmakers soon halted development. Archeologists date the site back to the 1500s and the Woodland Period Indians. Helpful and knowledgeable Native American guides are on-site to assist visitors and help them learn more about the site.
Snow Sports
During the colder months, snow transforms the park into a winter wonderland. Several cross-country skiing trails, ranging in difficulty from very easy to nearly impossible, are available for skiing. We recommend the relatively easy trail, which begins at the Mississippi Headwaters Area and follows Lake Itasca south to the Visitor Center. If you brought the snowmobile along behind the Sprinter, you'll find trails circling the perimeter of the park that can be ridden for miles to cities like Bemidji, Detroit Lakes, and Walker.
Snowshoeing is also a popular wintertime activity in the park, and there are several trails groomed just for this purpose. Popular routes include Mary Lake Trail and LaSalle Trail. Snowshoes can be rented from the park if you don't have your own pair. There is a warming area as well as restrooms located in the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center, which is open daily throughout the peak winter season.
Wilderness Drive
If you prefer to stay cozy in the camper, consider checking out the Wilderness Drive, a short, scenic drive that passes through the pristine forests of Itasca State Park. The fall is the perfect time to visit, with the fall foliage in full swing. If you're lucky, you may see various wildlife, as the name suggests, like bears, herons, deer, or beavers. If you're driving a large vehicle, do so with caution. The road is one lane for most of the way, with plenty of sharp turns.
