Midway around the Wilderness Drive is the trailhead for the Two Spot Trail. A bird's-eye view of the forests covering Itasca State Park from Aiton Heights Fire Tower, a popular attraction in the park. In the early 19th century, several explorers each claimed to be the discoverer of the rivers true source. The Red Lake Peatlands have been called Minnesota's last true wilderness. The 100-foot Aiton Heights Fire Tower at Itasca State Park provides a great cardio exercise as well as stunning views. The first white men to visit Lake Itasca were French fur traders who called it Lac La Biche ,Elk Lake. The Rocky Mountain tower is the northwestern-most fire tower in the state; it's located in T18-R12 in the North Maine Woods. The Aiton Heights Fire Tower was one of Itascas six observation towers. Channel your ice cream energy toward tackling all 11 of these unique and yumtastic creations. Logging companies muscled their way into the park and began to clear-cut the timber. Nearly 100% of unwanted fires burning through woodlands, prairies, and neighborhoods today are preventable. "For centuries," reads an interpretive sign along the boardwalk, "North American native peoples have ventured into the bog to hunt and trap game and to harvest the plants and berries. All You Need Is Ice Cream And you dont even need to scream for it. The Aiton Heights Fire Tower is one of only six deactivated fire towers still standing in Minnesota (five of which are available for climbing when not closed due to the epidemic). McMullen and his companion Nelson Rust were unlawfully deer hunting in Itasca State Park, according to the Pioneer Cemetery interpretive plaque. An airplane is also deployed to monitor the forests, but is tasked with covering a large area. Because Wilderness Drive, the road connecting to this trailhead, is one-way, you will have to follow the main park road in a long circle before finding the turnoff on the right hand side -- it's easy to miss, so slow down and pay close attention once you're on the one-way road. The Aiton Heights Fire Tower is one of only six deactivated fire towers still standing in Minnesota (five of which are available for climbing when not closed due to the epidemic). Long Lake TheaterLong Lake Theater,Long Lake Theater, Aiton Heights Fire Tower Q86867982) The controversy continued until 1889 when Jacob V. Brower studied the topography of the Itasca basin. Another thing to consider before you start to climb the many steps to various levels is the possibility that the tower will wobble in the wind or when people are walking up or down. RIGHT: Kasey Lake is on the trail that leads to Aiton Heights Fire Tower, a popular tourist attraction in Itasca State Park. Award winning restaurant reviews, Hot local Arts and Events picks, Shopping Secrets, Quick Getaway Ideas, Colorful Interviews, In-Depth Features and Much More! As Connie Cox of the Minnesota DNR explained, through research conducted in Itasca State Park and elsewhere, it is now understood that fires are a natural and needed process for the regeneration of nature, in particular the pine forests. I couldn't chicken out in front of the kids right - lol. Toggle navigation Toggle search. A word of warning before I get into the truly spectacular stuff about the Mississippi River Headwaters, where you can really walk or wade over where the great river starts. Discover this 2.2-mile out-and-back trail near Lake Alice, Minnesota. Inside, a stool is positioned alongside an Osborne Fire Finder, a type of alidade tool developed in the 1920s to enable lookouts to pinpoint the exact location of a fire. After climbing the hill to the tower we realized that there really wasn't a view from the ground because of all the trees. Contributed material may be separately copyrighted. The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center is a must-see for anybody interested in learning more about the namesakes involvement in preserving the pine trees of Itasca State Park. HikingIn addition to its 49 miles of scenic hiking trails, Itasca State Park hosts a part of the North Country Trail. The confusion persisted because no one realized that the river flowed north from its source, not south. JOIN THE RANKS OF CLIFFORD AND EMILY ELIZABETH OR HARRY AND HEDWIG BY MAKING YOUR OWN FURRY FRIEND. Carrier (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, No 10F-1, 10th Floor, Tower 5 @ PFCC , Jalan Puteri 1/2, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor. Fire creates favorable conditions for the growth and survival of pines and they depend on it for reproduction. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The bog's relationship to fire is both indispensable and infamous. Originally erected by the MN Division of Forestry in the 1920s, it was moved to Itasca State Park in 1937 and assigned dual roles: visitor education and fire detection. We see that you have javascript disabled. The 100ft climb to the top is more of a challenge as it gets more narrow near the top. Access to Itascas wild country, including the parks unique Wilderness Sanctuary, is from hiking trails and the 10-mile-long Wilderness Drive. Search high and low for these Minnesotan stones and snap a pic of each rock you find. LEFT: The fire tower at the DNR Forestry Station in Nimrod, Minnesota, is one of the only towers in the state still used to detect fires. Big Bog State Recreation Area Climb this fire tower to see views of what's been called "Minnesota's last true wilderness.". Sarah Stacke The line can get a little long and this is not for those with a fear of heights but there are spots to sit in the shade to wait if you dont want to climb and there is a replica of the top of the tower that has the same pictures pointing out landmarks. Get Carried Away If a stairway to heaven isnt quite your jam, take to the sky with one of these hot-air balloon outings. The bog has long been a source of medicinal plants to the land's original inhabitants, the Ojibwe. Cox likes to say Itasca's visitors "come for the river and return for the pines," a nod to the magnetism of a forest that has long been conserved and protected from the devastation of unwanted fires. The Nimrod tower, built in 1928, is staffed regularly during Minnesota's fire season. You can reach the headwaters of the Mississippi by driving around the north end of Lake Itasca and following the signs. Wade your way over. Please be aware that if you click on the link and buy any of Aunt Fannies goods (including some other wonderful chemical-free pest control and cleaning items), I may be compensated as part of their Refer-A-Friend programmed. Make sure you turn left at the intersection -- the Aiton Heights Trail continues going straight and will lead you deeper into the forest. Small cities, year-round locations for outdoor lovers, and attractions for travelers who prefer their adventure inside may all be found in the surrounding region. Before the advent of aircraft, fire towers were essential to monitoring forests, especially in the flat environment of the Midwest. I didn't drink any of the water I took with me and I'm 61yrs old and had eaten a whole small pizza at the caf an hour before. You can drive to within a short distance from the tower or hike in about three quarters of a mile. Daily narrated commercial boat tours of Lake Itasca run throughout the summer. Peace Pipe Vista has little historical value, but it does include a lovely route through the woods and an observation platform overlooking Lake Itasca. Today, however, there are still stands of virgin red and white pine in the park with some of the oldest and largest pine trees in Minnesota. RIGHT: Connie Cox is the MN DNR Lead Interpretive Naturalist at Itasca State Park. HERES A LIST OF ICONIC MINNESOTA MUNCHIES YOUVE GOT TO TRY. An airplane is also deployed to monitor the forests, but is tasked with covering a large area. The library card you previously added can't be used to complete this action. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The 32,000-acre park is the states most developed park yet also one of its most pristine. Im fascinated by history, and Itasca State Park has much to tell. We took it slow, and had no issues (except for the fear thing) and our son can't stop talking about it. To see past the trees you need to climb the tower! It's like a good friend showing you the town -- every month a new adventure. Itasca State Park was created more than 10,000 years ago by glaciers. The prospect of panoramic views attracts many people to this hike, and it is not unlikely that you will have to wait in a short line to climb to the top of the tower -- due to the load restrictions of the structure, only a few people can be on the tower at a given time. The cemeterys creator, William McMullen, who owned a small ranch and resort near Itasca, is an exception. You can reach the backpack sites on Hernando De Soto Lake from these paths. You can find all of your Itasca State Park information and maps here, as well as browse the educational and historical displays. A mile-long boardwalk allows a relatively close-up look at this natural masterpiece. The third deadliest was the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894, which claimed the lives of 418 white people and an unknown number of Native Americans. RIGHT: Inside the DNR Forestry Station in Nimrod, Minnesota, a map identifies the location of the area's fire towers. MSPJr 2022, OverDrive Magazine The Elk Lake Group Center is a 50-person primitive camp with a small shelter and water supply. hide caption. Sign in to see the full collection. Climb the historic 100-foot Aiton Heights Fire Tower for a birds-eye perspective of Itasca State Park from above the trees. Some paths, like the Brower Trail, parallel the east shore of Lake Itasca, linking many of the attractions in the parks core. Aiton Heights Fire Tower - Wilderness Dr See all 26 photos Aiton Heights Fire Tower Scenic Lookout, Historic Site, and Trail Park Rapids Save Share Tips 2 Photos 26 See what your friends are saying about Aiton Heights Fire Tower. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Is Traveling A Hobby? Itasca State Park is Minnesotas oldest state park, with 32,000 acres around the Mississippi Rivers 2,552-mile headwaters. Walk across the Mississippi River as it spills out of Lake Itasca, A family photo at the Mississippi headwaters is a must for many visitors, A paved 6-mile trail connects Douglas Lodge to the Mississippi headwaters. 1 Harbourfront Ave, #03-12/13, Keppel Bay Tower, Singapore (098632) : 1666 0060 +82 2 6917 8777. The Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center stays open during the winter and has bathrooms, interpretive displays and a fireplace.More about skiing in the Park Rapids area, Ski right up to the source of the Mississippi River, Even a dreary day will bring ice anglers to Lake Itasca. Whitewater State Park Get a bird's eye view of limestone bluffs and deep ravines at the top of this tower. If you receive an error message, please contact your library for help. Add a library card to your account to borrow titles, place holds, and add titles to your wish list. In 1965, it was designated as a National Natural Landmark, and eight years later, it was listed to the National Register of Historic Places. About 100,000 people come to the park annually and the majority climb the tower, according to the park's staff. More about skiing in the Park Rapids area. It's a short, easy walk to the tower (warning, if you are out of shape, it's a little uphill to get there). Book the best deals of hotels to stay close to Aiton Heights Fire Tower with the lowest price guaranteed by Trip.com! You can launch a boat or canoe onto the lake to explore the shoreline or try the walleye, northern, bass or pan fish action. Cloud. To return to the parking lot, follow the trail back the way you came. The hike isn't very hard and there is a bench about half way if you have to rest. The trail to the Aiton Heights Observation Tower cuts through some impressive maple-basswood stands. Sarah Stacke When I walked at Lake Itasca State Park, I wish I had known about Aunt Fannies DEET-free insect repellant wipes. While the headwaters are what draw most people, the Aiton Heights tower is a close second. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It requires a $7 daily car fee or $35 annual pass to enter. Take the one-way nature drive to find the Aiton Fire Tower and red pine. Mississippi Headwaters is the marque stop, but this one should not be overlooked. If you go Itasca State Park is at 36750 Main Park Drive, north of Park Rapids on U.S. Highway 71 North. Mary Gibbs was a natural force striving to safeguard the environment. If you are interested in learning more about the history, you may think about visiting these historical sites. Itascas 13 miles of groomed cross-county ski trails are designed mostly for beginner and intermediate skiers. hide caption. This particular fire tower is strategically located close to the center of this large park, providing astounding views of the surrounding wilderness without the highways and neighboring towns you may see from towers in other locations. A "good chunk" of visitors climb it to connect with the natural landscape, "not a manicured forest," says Cox. Its a short walk from the large parking lot, crossing over the young river on the way. Another view from the top of Aiton Fire Tower at Itasca State Park's Itasca State Park. Sarah Stacke Their deaths weren't counted in the toll. A better approach is to make a three-mile loop starting at the historic Douglas Lodge and utilizing the Ozawindib and Deer Park trails. Smarty Pants Increasing your GPA doesnt have to be all about books and homework. If you choose to do that, follow the Deer Path Trail to the tower. Try to find these pals from the printed page who call Minnesota home. Its also the second-largest state park, with almost 32,500 acres (second only to St. Croix State Park in Hinckley, Minn., which is 33,895 acres). The Bison Kill Site, near the Big Pine Trail, marks the location of campsites used by Indian hunters some 8,000 years ago. An annual pass costs $35. The Big Picture MINNESOTA IS HOME TO SOME PRETTY WACKY GIANTS. Even after Schoolcrafts discovery, a few other explorers claimed they had found the source in various tributaries of Lake Itasca. Since fires were nearly eliminated from the park a century ago, trees such as spruce, fir and maple have been allowed to dominate the ecosystem instead of pines. LEFT: The fire tower at the DNR Forestry Station in Nimrod, Minnesota, is one of the only towers in the state still used to detect fires. Errol Sleeper, 7, takes in the view from the cab of the Aiton Heights Fire Tower in northern Minnesota's Itasca State Park. there was a small walk to the tower, and then climbing up it. Pages: hide caption. hide caption. Its also worth it to hike through swarms of insects. Sarah Stacke It starts either at Douglas Lodge or the designated parking lot for the trailhead. The bog has long been a source of medicinal plants to the land's original inhabitants, the Ojibwe. Rock Out Discover the rainbow! FLY HIGH From swings to slides and zip lines to high wires, here are four ways to get your feet off the ground. Both my husband and I are afraid of heights, and we did fine (by fine I mean we did not pass out, but I was shaking once we got 5 or 6 flights up). The swimming beach at Big Bog State Recreation Area in northern Minnesota is on the shores of Upper Red Lake. Monthly Today, only a handful of towers exist. For Dinner Green Mile Restaurant . The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the Once you are in the park, there are dozen's of things to see and do. It takes 60 days for the waters spilling out of Lake Itasca to reach their destination. 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