Itasca State Park, Minnesota from FireTower
Proposed amendments include additional overnight lodging opportunities, redeveloping public water accesses and more
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on two draft management plan amendments for Itasca State Park. The comment period is open through April 10.
A state park management plan is a framework that provides long-range guidance for the park, with recommendations for managing natural and cultural resources and providing recreational and interpretative opportunities to park visitors.
The first amendment addresses four topics:
Enhancing winter activities by reconfiguring existing cross-county ski trails, opening other existing trails to skiing, and adding some new ski trails
Adding new overnight camping opportunities at Pine Ridge Campground and Lake Ozawindib Group Center
Converting two buildings — Nicollet Cabin and Lake Ozawindib Pumphouse — into overnight lodging
Removing the existing Nicollet Court guest lodging building near Douglas Lodge and replacing it with a picnic pavilion and gathering space
The second amendment addresses the proposed redevelopment of the public water accesses at Bear Paw Campground and Douglas Lodge into carry-in use only.
This access redevelopment amendment aims to help protect water quality in Lake Itasca by reducing runoff and restoring shoreline habitat. This change also aims to consolidate drive-in boat access at the main Lake Itasca launch, which has space for inspecting and cleaning boats and trailers to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
As part of the public input process, the DNR will host an open house on Tuesday, March 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center, 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids. In addition to the open house, people can provide comments through 11:59 p.m. on April 10 by:
Email or phone at jade.templin@state.mn.us or 651-259-5598
Mail to Jade Templin, Minnesota DNR, Parks and Trails Division, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155
The draft plan amendments are available for review online (mndnr.gov/state_parks/itasca-state-park-management-plan-amendment.html). Paper copies are also available at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and the Minnesota DNR regional headquarters in Bemidji.
The current Itasca State Park management plan (files.dnr.state.mn.us/input/mgmtplans/parks/itasca/itasca-plan-1998.pdf) can be viewed on the DNR website.
About Itasca State Park
Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota’s oldest state park. It covers more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Park visitors can walk across the Mississippi River’s headwaters at Lake Itasca, stand under towering old-growth pines, and visit landmarks of centuries gone by. Guests can also explore two visitor centers and experience the Wilderness Drive, a 10-mile scenic drive that includes access to the 2,000-acre Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary Scientific and Natural Area, one of Minnesota’s eight National Natural Landmarks. To learn more, visit the park’s website (mndnr.gov/itasca).
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