Lake Itasca
Campground
Avay Up Nort
This small campground was very near the entrance to the Lake Itasca State Park and got decent reviews. It was pretty quiet when we were there. I had a real problem with the bathroom and shower building. It just doesn't look like the owner cleans it more than about once per year. Seriously, spiders and bugs all over the shower stalls. NO!
Things To See
Lake Itasca State Park
At the point at which the lake water starts its journey to form the Mississippi River, there are rocks such that you can walk across the river! The lake itself is pretty quiet and we kayaked around for a bit.
Food and Drink
Douglas Lodge
This is in the State Park. A classic throwback. A wonderful place to have a great meal. Big timbers and must-try wild rice soup.
The Java Loon
Great little coffee shop in Walker.
Knob & Kettle Restaurant and Lounge
This was just down the road from the campground and we stopped in for lunch one day. The owner was so friendly that he said we needed to come back for their prime rib dinner. So we did.
To make a long story short...
Should it be called the Missouri River?
There has been some debate about this, but far too late now to change anything. If one looks at the distance up the Mississippi River from where the Missouri River joins, then look at the distance up the Missouri River at that some point, you would see that the Missouri River is longer and contributes more to the overall river than the part that goes up to Minnesota. Therefore, one might say that the entire river should be called the Missouri River all the way from the Rockies to the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River (north of where the two join) should be called something else.