Thank you for visiting The Friends of Itasca website!
Itasca State Park is open year round, and each season is unique. Itasca State Park is open year round. With each season you will be greeted with unique experience and beauty.
Visit our new Memorials and Special Sentiments Page
When you donate to the Friends you are invited to say something about your gift. A "memorial", "honorarium", or "in gratitude" statement reflecting your gift. We have had requests to have this option on the website. You will need to contact someone for approval and to forward it to our web developer. Contact the Friends of Itasca at:friends@friendsofitasca.org
2024 Friends of Itasca State Park
Annual General Membership Meeting (pdf)
When: September 14, 2024, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Where: Itasca State Park’s
Jacob Brower Visitor Center
at 12:30 the Friends Board will conduct the annual meeting.
Following the meeting at 2:00 PM will be a presentation by:
Lee E. Frelich, Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology
Lee will be discussing Climate Change and Minnesota Forests: Alternative Futures.
- Hear a report from Itasca Park staff regarding projects underway or planned for the upcoming year.
- Hear an update from the Friends Board about current projects, including the new Playground Equipment and a Photo Contest planned for next year.
- Learn how many people enjoy the park on an annual basis.
- Learn how you can volunteer with and support the Friends to help us:
- Provide recreational park activities
- Preserve the park’s beauty and historical significance
- Create memories for every generation
- This will also be your last chance to buy RAFFLE TICKETS! For just $5 you have the chance to win:
-1st Prize: Suzuki 2.5 HP Outboard Motor (value: $900)
-2nd Prize: Guided Pontoon Boat Ride on Lake Itasca or Long Lake (value: $300)
-3rd Prize: State Park Permit and Gift Card (value: $250)
All proceeds go toward the purchase of new playground equipment at the swim beach. The drawing will be held at 4:30, the afternoon of September 14.
- Provide recreational park activities
- Preserve the park’s beauty and historical significance
- Create memories for every generation
- This will also be your last chance to buy RAFFLE TICKETS! For just $5 you have the chance to win:
-1st Prize: Suzuki 2.5 HP Outboard Motor (value: $900)
-2nd Prize: Guided Pontoon Boat Ride on Lake Itasca or Long Lake (value: $300)
-3rd Prize: State Park Permit and Gift Card (value: $250)
All proceeds go toward the purchase of new playground equipment at the swim beach. The drawing will be held at 4:30, the afternoon of September 14.
2024 Summer Events - Come Join Us
Join the Friends in some fun events! The Friends of Itasca's Ice Cream Socials are very popular and are a great way to meet other Itasca visitors. Music performances are fantastic. There will be an Ice Cream Social at Douglas Lodge from 6:30 - 7:30 PM on September 7. The Hoot Owls will be perforning!
2024 Friends of Itasca Raffle
Time is running out! You could win a new boat motor, a guided pontoon ride, or a State Park gift card. Tickets are $5 and will enter you into the drawing that will be held at the Jacob v. Brower Visitor Center, September 14, 2024 at 4:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased at the Ice Cream Socials, the Itasca Sports Rental and the Rock Creek Store. All proceed will go to the playground improvement project. Click here to see the 2024 Raffle Flyer.
The First Swimming Beach Playground Purchase is a SWING!!
Like proud grandparents, Friends of Itasca board members were gathered around their first purchase for the Park’s Swimming Beach Playground - An Accessible Swing. Smiles and laughter await all who take a turn on it in the 2024 season. Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to make this a reality.
In the meantime, we are continuing to move foward with our PLAYGROUND PROJECT! Itasca welcomes almost a half million visitors each year and we try to choose projects that will benefit the most visitors and fulfill the most immediate needs. Please consider donating to Itasca State Park. Your donation will go to something that benefits many Itasca visitors.
Restaurant and Gift Shop Hours
The Douglas Lodge Restaurant is open Thrusday-Sunday from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
At the Headwaters, the Mary Gibbs Gift Shop is open daily 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, and the Cafe is open daily from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
Forest Inn Gift Shop is open daily 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Friends Group Renewal Notice
It’s that time of year again! Your Friends Group plays a crucial role in the stewardship of Minnesota’s parks and trails, and we hope you will renew your membership with Parks and Trails Council for 2023. You may download the Contact Form and return it by mail.
Project Update
The Friends of Itasca board members would like to provide an update on our Playground Project at Itasca State Park. Our goal is to upgrade or replace worn out playground equipment to ensure a safe and fun play experience and focus on accessibility for all abilities. Our original timeline was to install the new playground equipment in 2022. Several factors have contributed to delays that have pushed the deadline for installation to 2023.
- One factor was COVID, which prevented us from carrying out several of our annual fund raisers.
- A second factor is the cost of steel has increased dramatically. Both of these have affected the amount of funds we needed to raise and the timeline.
- Another factor related to timing, is a longer than expected DNR State review process required to ensure the desired aesthetics and preserve the historic nature of the site where the playground is to be replaced.
We are so grateful to all of our donors for supporting this worthwhile project that will provide hours of enjoyment to all the families and school children who visit each year. Last year there were close to half a million domestic and international visitors. You are truly making a difference in the lives of all these visitors! And, as mentioned above, the project will be ongoing for another year, so we would welcome any additional contributions. We are excited to bring this project to fruition. Your financial support and patience are very much appreciated! If you wish to make a further contribution you may do so by:
• Sending a check to the Friends to: The Friends of Itasca, 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN 56470
• Donate at www.friendsofItasca.org
• Contribute to our playground endowment fund at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation by going to www.nwmf.org and searching for the Friends of Itasca State Park Fund. When making a donation here, please indicate in the comments that the donation is for the playground equipment.
All donations are tax deductible.
Links to our Donation Options
GiveMN, the Northwest Minnesota Foundation or donate viaPayPal In the menu bar, tap GiveMN. It’s as simple as that. Make sure to direct your donation for the playground and type "For playground equipment" in the Additional Information Box. GiveMN or donate via PayPal. You may scan the qr code and it will take you to PayPal.
Visit the MN DNR Events Calendar. You can find programming and special events at Itasca and other MN State Parks
- Find pograms and events at Itasca and all your favorite state parks. There are always fun activites and interesting programs happening . Topics range from Itasca CCC history to animals and children's projects; you will certainly find something for everyone!