With a blend of historic rooms at Douglas Lodge, log cabins with vintage charm, newer year-round suites and even a hostel (1-218-266-3415), this supersized state park offers pine-scented getaways for any budget along Lake Itasca and near the Mississippi headwaters. The brand-new Bear Paw guesthouse accommodates up to 10 people. 36750 Main Park Dr., Park Rapids; 1-866-857-2757;
Best state park lodging - Itasca State Park - 2015 Best of MN
May 15, 2015 at 9:47PM
![As water flows out of Lake Itasca in NW Minnesota, the Mississippi River begins a 2,552 mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The headwaters of the Mississippi were preserved by creating Minnesota's first state park, Itasca, in 1891. ] Minnesota _State of Wonders, Spring in NW Minnesota. BRIAN PETERSON • brian.peterson@startribune.com Itasca State Park, MN 2/14/2014](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TDSSHKEAAG3RQN34HWO7P6DGP4.jpg?&w=712)
Log cabins and historic rooms are available at Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River begins its 2,552 mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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