Great River Road
Must-See Tour of Minnesota's Great River Road - Northern Section

Departure: Lake Itasca State Park, Minnesota
Destination: Munsinger and Clemens Gardens, Minnesota
Time to allow: 1 day

This 'Must-See' tour of the Great River Road begins at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, at Lake Itasca and travels east towards Grands Rapids, then south towards the city of St. Cloud. While the scenery itself is incredible, this tour includes the following stops:

Day 1

  • Start: Lake Itasca State Park

    The Great River Road begins at Itasca State Park. Covering about 32,000 acres, the park embraces the headwaters of the Mississippi River and 157 lakes, the foremost of which is Lake Itasca, source of the great river. Site of the University Biological Station, the park has stands of virgin Norway pine and specimens of nearly every kind of wild animal, tree and plant native to the state. Camping and hiking are abundant here, as well as historics sites Itasca Indian Cemetery and Wegmann's Cabin, important landmarks to the area. A $4 fee per car (per day) applies when visiting the park.

  • Stop 1: Lake Bemidji State Park

    From previous stop: same location

    For a stop at another famous Minnesota lake, travelers will want to see Bemidji State Park. This recreational haven provides several opportunities for visitors to experience Minnesota wilderness firsthand. It is so likely that travelers will want to stay overnight that a campground with 100 sites is offered at the park. When the tent has been set up, visitors will want to set off down one of the many trails in the area.

    Just five miles away from Bemidji State Park, visitors will find the community with the same namesake. Another lumber town at the turn-of-the-century, Bemidji began as a trading post on the 6,765 acre lake. Now visitors will see folklore mixed with a tribute to the lumber culture on the southwest shore of Lake Bemidji-- statues of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox Babe.

  • Stop 2: Cass Lake

    From previous stop: 36 minutes / 25.9 mi (41.4 km)
    Directions:

    Travel east on US-2 until you get to Cass Lake.

    Cass Lake is the next stop along the tour of the Great River Road. This lake is a popular stop for fishing and camping. This lake is very unique, though. Star Island, in Cass Lake, is an attractive recreation area because it contains an entire lake within itself. There are other fabulous lakes in the area worth visiting here as well.

  • Stop 3: Forest History Center

    From previous stop: 1 hour 2 minutes / 53.7 mi (85.9 km)
    Directions:

    Head east on US-2 to Grand Rapids and the Forest History Center.

    In a place where the forest has been a central part of life, a discovery center about this ecosystem seems matter-of-fact. The Forest History Center of Grand Rapids offers visitors a glimpse of the past in logging camps. All the tools and jobs that make up a lumbering camp are recreated in great detail. Learn more about the camp blacksmith, saw filer, clerk, and even the good. The center also features a 100 foot tall fire tower to survey the forest around Grand Rapids. Visitors are encouraged to spend an afternoon and even bring a picnic to enjoy in the picnic area.

  • Stop 4: Savanna Portage State Park

    From previous stop: 1 hour 33 minutes / 48.5 mi (77.6 km)
    Directions:

    Head southeast on US-2 until you get to SR-65. Continue south on SR-65 to Savannah Portage State Park.

    The Savanna Portage was used for centuries by Dakotas and explorers traveling the great Mississippi, but the continental divide created a place of stagnant swamp water. Voyagers would push canoes through these swamps for several days before reaching open water. The Continental Divide passes through the park, dividing the flow of water west to the Gulf of Mexico and east to the Atlantic Ocean. Now the route these travelers took is part of a historic trail.

  • Stop 5: Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

    From previous stop: 1 hour 54 minutes / 63.9 mi (102.2 km)
    Directions:

    Head southwest on Savanna Lake Road and turn right at Lake Place. Turn left at CO Road 40/Lily Avenue, then right at Ghoshawk Street/Round Lake Road. Turn left at MN-65 Trunk South, then right at MN-210 West. Turn left at MN-210-W/US-169 S, then turn right at Archibald Rd/MN-210 West/MN-6 North. Turn left at 3rd Avenue, then slight right onto Mesaba Street/MN-210 West/Oak Street. Turn right at Irene Avenue, then left toward Portsmouth Mine Road. Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area will be on your left.

    Visit the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area for a fun outdoor adventure. Here, you can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and mountain biking. Be sure to check out the wildlife, geology, and fascinating landscape, too!

  • Stop 6: Lindbergh State park

    From previous stop: 2 hours 52 minutes / 105 mi (168.0 km)
    Directions:

    Head southwest on US-169/MN-210 until you reach the Charles A Lindbergh State Park.

    Visit the Minnesota Historical Society interpretive center and boyhood home of Charles Lindbergh, pilot of the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

  • End: Munsinger and Clemens Gardens

    From previous stop: 53 minutes / 35.5 mi (56.8 km)
    Directions:

    From Lindbergh State Park, head south on US-10 to St. Cloud.

    Located in St. Cloud and right next to the Great River herself, these two nationally renowned gardens are right next to each other, providing a pleasant experience any time of year. Study more than 70,000 plants and flowers. This stop is sure to bring out the botanist in every traveler.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 332.5 miles / 532.0 km
Total Travel Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 0 minutes