"Gateway to Itasca State Park"

More about Park Rapids:

More Minnesota Destinations:

Alexandria
Baudette
Bemidji
Brainerd
Cook
Crane Lake
Detroit Lakes
Ely
Grand Marais
International Falls
Kabetogama
Orr
Otter Tail
Park Rapids
Stillwater
Tower
Walker

My parents were of the opinion that as a family, we should travel extensively and see every part of this great country. And whenever we could… we did. One of the things that I will always remember was the time, as a very young boy, that I had the opportunity to actually walk across the Mississippi River. Not far from where some close friends lived – Bagley MN – is Itasca State Park, where the mighty Mississippi gets its start as a small stream and where one can still do today what I accomplished as a boy. It is a truly magnificent place with over 32,000 acres and much to do and see. I love the area today as much as I did then. 

Only about twenty minutes south of the park is the town of Park Rapids. Known as “the Gateway to Itasca State Park” and home of the historically famous Heartland Trail, Minnesota’s Park Rapids Lakes Area has much to offer as well. It has a feel that is immediately comfortable and inviting. And with literally hundreds of lakes in the area and surrounded by five state forests, Park Rapids is an idyllic setting for all would call it home – either as resident, vacationer or tourist. There is endless recreational opportunity, plenty of shopping and restaurants galore. The area offers a high quality of life, any technological convenience or amenity you could imagine and plenty of things to see and do. It’s a must to put on your list of places to go this summer… or any other time of the year!