The source of the Mississippi River on the edge of Lake Itasca
Itasca State Park is a state park in Minnesota, 21 miles (34 km) north of Park Rapids, Minnesota and 30 miles (48 km) from Bemidji, Minnesota.
The park contains Lake Itasca, the source of the Mississippi River. That Itasca is the river's source was discovered by Henry Schoolcraft in 1832. Groves of virgin red and eastern white pine are also found in the park.
Itasca State Park was established by the Minnesota State Legislature on April 20, 1891, the first of Minnesota's State Parks. The park was later enlarged and now covers 32,000 acres (130 km²) and includes more than 100 lakes.
Itasca State Park was visited by 481,508 visitors in 2000.
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