Down The Mississippi Part 1: Minnesota, Clearwater County: Headwaters of Mississippi at Itasca State Park to Coffee Pot Landing

Not all highways are on land. Some are on water. The Mississippi River is one. A ribbon of water that begins in the Great Lakes region. It runs a course through ten states. Draining into the Gulf Of Mexico. 2320 miles of watershed. 

This river is a very Old Highway. Native Americans traveled its course since at least 500 BC. Today we travel from its headwaters. 

The headwaters of the Mississippi are in Clearwater County. Minnesota. Sprouting from Lake Itasca, the mighty river begins as a stream. The shallow water passable in only canoe or kayak. Tourists at the headlands walk with ease across the shallow creek bed.

The Mississippi River passes the Itasca State Park visitor center. We stop to explore Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center.

Back on the river. Here we scrape along a shallow stream. The trickling river meanders through park lands. At Coffee Pot Landing the river leaves Clearwater County.

 

Headwaters of Mississippi at Itasca State Park

1970's Headwaters Postcard