The Itasca Biological Station is located nearly 4 hours away from our main University campus in the Twin Cities, inside Itasca State Park.
You can navigate to the station using Google Maps or use our address to map your route:
Itasca Biological Station and Laboratories
University of Minnesota
28131 University Circle
Lake Itasca, MN 56470
We recommend you use either the East or North Entrance of Itasca State Park to reach Itasca Station.
Please note: all vehicles entering the state park are required to display a MN State Park permit, even if they will only be parked at the station. Permits can be purchased ahead of time from the MN DNR website, or when entering the park from the East Entrance (during the summer), or from the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center (year-round).
From the East Entrance of Itasca State Park:
The East Entrance of Itasca State Park is closest to the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center, which is open year-round, and the Douglas Lodge, which is open seasonally. To get to the station from the East Entrance, proceed to Main Park Drive and turn right. This will take you past the ticket station where you can purchase a Park Pass during the summer, and the Brower Center where a pass can be purchased year-round. Continue on Main Park Drive for about 3 miles; the station will be on your left, shortly after Bear Paw Campground.
From the North Entrance of Itasca State Park:
The North Entrance of Itasca State Park is the closest entrance to the Mississippi River Headwaters and the seasonally open Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. To get to the station from the North Entrance road, turn left onto Main Park Drive and proceed about 2 miles. The station will be on the right.
Public Transportation
There is no public transportation available to the State Park, but you may find a bus route with service to nearby Bemidji or Walker. It may be possible to arrange transportation to Itasca Station from one of these cities; contact IBSL@umn.edu to inquire about assistance.
