Crossing the Mississippi River at it's Source

Lake Itasca, a small glacial lake with a surface area of 1.8 square miles, is the centerpiece of Lake Itasca State Park. From this beautiful serene northwoods lake, 1,475 feet above sea level, the Mighty Mississippi River begins to flow on its winding way, 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. At the spot where the river flows from the lake one can walk across the stream (very carefully) on stepping stones, as seen in the picture.

Itasca was established in 1891, as Minnesota's first state park. Within its 32,000 acres are more than 100 smaller lakes. The park also provides a multitude oh other recreational opportunities: camping, fishing, hiking, etc. But to us none of them could compare to stepping across North America's grandest river.

Itasca is in southwestern Clearwater County in Northern Minnesota. It is 30 miles southwest of Bemidji.