Lake Itasca

Located in Minnesota

Lake Itasca is a small glacial lake located in Clearwater County, Minnesota, USA. It is the primary source of the Mississippi River, which begins its 2,300-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico at the lake's outlet. At just 1.8 square miles, Lake Itasca is relatively small, shallow, and extremely clear, with a maximum depth of just 45 feet. It is surrounded by the forested grounds of Itasca State Park, which offers hiking, camping, fishing, and boating opportunities. Lake Itasca is considered a historic and cultural landmark of significance to the Ojibwe and Dakota Sioux tribes, as well as to American history as the starting point of the Mississippi River.