Pine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park

We wanted to get a jumpstart on the 2019 camping season so we booked a backpacking site (Friday) and two sites here (Saturday) for the first weekend in May. In hindsight, it may have been a bit ambitious as temperatures dropped to the low 30s at night - but hey, it was retrospective fun!

Our sites, E119 and E120, were pretty standard as far as drive-in sites go, and perhaps a bit expensive ($25). That said, after backpacking the previous night, it was nice to be able to charge our electronic devices. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring, and ample room to place a tent (or two!). If you're camping outside shoulder season, make sure you stock up on firewood as most of the local convenience stores don't seem to have it in stock. Overall, solid spot - but nothing overtly special.

Lone Tents in a Sea of Campers [May 2019]

Itasca State Park offers campgrounds that will give the full outdoor wilderness experience, away from the sounds of cities and cars. It's a wonderful place for hiking,biking, and water activities. Equipment you need for such activities can be rented within the park (canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, bikes). We've been to Itasca State Park multiple times, and it is wonderful for camping from late spring through early fall.

There seems to be an endless amount of hiking trails to choose from, which bring you to into the woods and to various lakes and ponds.

Camp sites are affordable (as low as $15), and you have options from modern sites (e.g., with electrical outlets and shower access) to remote hike-in sites. Standard sites come with fire pits and picnic tables.

Lake Itasca is the headwaters of the entire Mississippi River. Here the river is shallow and narrow enough that you can simply wade across it.

Camp at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River

Beautiful state park! Three separate drive-in style campgrounds. Here you can wade across the very beginning of the Mississippi River.

The beginning of the Mighty Mississippi River 

Visited in July of 2017\. Not too crowded or noisy. Rented a canoe for a little paddle.

Awesome place

We were RV camping here, sites were nice sized, bathrooms and showers handy. There is a lot to do- ck out the Mississippi headwaters, the Douglas Lodge, with restaurant. The visitor center has a small historical/wildlife display and you can borrow binoculars to better see the wildlife that abounds. Nice biking trails, hiking. The lake is great for fishing and you can rent canoes/kayaks. There is also a boat tour of the lake with an excellent guide.

Last of the MN old growth forest 

Three different people recommended Lake Itasca so I made my way here. It’s the start of the mighty Mississippi with a large natural area surrounding it. There are even a pack of wolves getting started here. Bring your bicycle or your boat or just enjoy the hiking. 

Campground review: 

I showed up without a reservation and was limited in my selection. I went with the rangers suggestions and found myself in a central location. I stayed at pine ridge but there is bear paw campground, cabins or the lodge. Plenty of choice. They do suggest reserving a spot during peak times such as weekends. Sunday night arrival was perfect and I ended up near the shower house (maybe too close for my dog). The sites on the outside of the loops are more private but watch out for the poison ivy. 

The shower and restroom were older but well kept. Love the water pressure! The garbage/recycling areas are convenient. It’s a large park so expect to drive to destinations if you don’t bring your bike. This was a crowded time in the campground but we found our own space in the park. There is plenty of space to spread out. 

Insider tips: I wish I brought my bike. The paved bike path is beautiful and you can continue around Wilderness Drive. We were all alone at the headwaters by getting there between 9 and 10 am. You can rent a canoe or take a boat tour. 

This turned out to be an ok place to visit. There are a lot of people and it stressed out my dog. She calmed down once people left on Monday morning.

A popular destination with many available activities

Visited Itasca State Park in July 2016\. It was an awesome trip, despite our 3yo getting sick and having to go to Park Rapids for Urgent Care.

We camped with three other families at Pine Ridge Campground and had sites next to one another. It was awesome to be just a path away from our friends. There were eight adults and nine kids age 1.5-6 and there was so much to do, despite the young age of the kids. We hiked to the Fire Tower, with several of the group making the climb to the top. The park was a lovely setting for afternoon drives to catch a nap. The beach was crowded, but a lot of fun. We attempted fishing for the first time and played at the playgrounds. One of our favorite activities was visiting the Headwaters of the Mississippi and walking across the "river" on the rocks.

Sites were nice and large, as two of our four had the REI Kingdom 8 tent. Our site had a large screened canopy.

We haven't been back yet, but it's definitely on the list of campsites we would revisit. Just trying to get to all the MN State Parks first!

Great park with awesome activities

Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer. The park is very quiet and lightly used in winter, but wow, its the best time of year! The paths to famous spots like the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the visitor centers are plowed and maintained, and there are myriad groomed trails from cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A lot of people go ice fishing too. There is not a big demand for camping so mist if the campsites are closed, but Pine Ridge does maintain a selection of campsites with hookups for those who do want to venture forth. The campground bath houses are closed for the winter and water is shut off, but you can car camp and rv with hookups if you want, or tent camp if you know how to do so comfortably in winter and dint mind using outhouses in the campground. There is running water and regular bathrooms at the main visitor’s center so that is an option, but several miles drive from the winter campsites. So, bottom line, come prepared with all your own supplies, and make sure you know how to stay warm if car or tent camping. A winter visit to the park is well worth it! 

Winter camping at Itasca? Why not! 

- This is the headwaters of the Mississippi, which is a neat experience. 
- Itasca Rentals is here. This is a great option for pontoon, kayak, canoe, SUP, bike, and child/ pet carrier rentals. 
- TONS of hiking throughout the massive park. 
- The wilderness drive is very scenic.
-  Some k the best hiking included: preacher’s grove and the fire tower
- This would be a great location to host an event such as a family reunion, because there is something for everyone. 
- Very nice playgrounds for the kids.

Can’t skip the Headwaters

Albeit it wasn’t the easiest place to navigate at times, it’s an amazing location. Great hiking, swimming, lots to do &amp; see. Nice clean park. 10/10 would recommend. 

Get lost in the woods. 

This is a very large park that is super interesting to visit and the campground was a very nice place to spend a few nights while we were in the area.  The bathrooms were clean and the campsite was in a nice location right across from the shower house/bathrooms.

Nice Campground - Fun Park to Visit

I lucked out.  I was wanting to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi it was getting late in the day and I didn't have a reservation.  Lucky for me they had one site left with no electricity which was perfect.  I was near the bathrooms and shower house, both very clean.  Campsites are close together, but wooded making for a little privacy.  Overall Itasca State Park is very nice with lots of trails and a scenic drive.

Nice, But Crowded

The campground is massive with hundred of people, but it’s possible to get a more private site in the furthest loop- poplar. Ours wasn’t too private and we were surrounded by families with small kids. But the staff park has plenty to do and is well-worth a visit! 

A small city

A big park with lots of campsites and plenty of campers.  Most of the day visitors congregate in a few areas and, by late afternoon, it's not difficult to find some quiet spaces.
While you are camping in the woods, you are always aware that you are sharing the space with many other campers.  Your enjoyment will depend upon your patience and tolerance of what your fellow campers feel is "camping".

Minnesota's Headwaters Park

Itasca is a beautiful park. Gorgeous scenery to enjoy. We saw lots of deer within the park. We loved our stay at the Pine Ridge Campground. We were close to drinking water and the very well maintained modern showers/toilets. There are other campsites within the park that are more rustic if that is what you’re looking for. We will definitely be back!

Wonderful Visit

There are a lot of things to do/see here. Headwaters, fish on lake itaska miles and miles of hiking/biking trails. Now the camping its really nice on weekdays and its ok on weekends but weekends have more kids and noise as expected. The major downfall was the FLIES they were insane there were so many one day we had to go inside just to get away. So plan on some fly deterrent method. This trip tought us we need it.

Nice place busy 

Great campground,  clean restroom and shower house, clean spacious and shady sites

Great

This was a great campground. We stayed in site 77e, this was semi wooded. The bathrooms and water spigot were near the campsite. There are a lot of great hiking and walking trails. The walking trail from the campground will bring you to the headwaters. 