Itasca State Park Naturalist Programs

Description

Dining in the Park: Douglas Lodge:

Douglas Lodge will open for the season on Friday, May 24  at 5 p.m. for both lodging and dining. Douglas Lodge Manager Gina and Assistant Manager Jeff are excited for you to come out and try some new items on the menu. They are a surprise so you need to discover them first hand! Many of the visitor favorites are back again this year including: fish tacos made with Red Lake walleye (a BIG hit!), pork medallions in blueberry sauce, and blueberry fritter bread French toast.. They are offering scrumptious homemade meals and appetizers including many items that feature Minnesota foods (walleye, wild rice, maple syrup and blueberries).  The Lavosh and Walleye Ceviche are excellent appetizers! Classic favorites are still on the menu including: the Itasca Burger, Wild Turkey, the Reuben and the famous Itasca Malts. Great family food served from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: the lunch menu service has been extended…order off the lunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hours: Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Dinner: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  
Use your receipt from dining at Douglas Lodge for a 20% discount off of one clothing item at Forest Inn Gift Shop (exceptions apply; refer to your receipt for details).
The ever-popular Douglas Lodge China is still available for purchase. Stop at Douglas Lodge to see the display of available pieces. The china is sold at the Forest Inn gift shop (inventory may be limited).
 
 Dining in the Park: the Mary Gibbs Café:
Mary Gibbs Café will open for the season on Saturday, May 25 at 11 a.m.. Looking for a quick meal before heading out on the trail, or a cooling ice cream cone after a long day on the trail, the Mary Gibbs Café will be offering new items as well as sandwiches, soup, salad, pizza and a variety of ice cream flavors. Hours for the café will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
 
Take Home a Memory: Souvenirs and More!
Mary Gibbs Gift Shop opens for the season on Friday, May 24 at 10 a.m. Forest Inn Gift Shop opens for the season on Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m. Promote your favorite park with a wearable memory from Itasca—check out the new summer line-up of sweatshirts and t-shirts. The Mary Gibbs Gift shop, features food stuffs and Mississippi Headwaters items, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For those looking for a northwoods themed item, check out Forest Inn Gift Shop (across from Douglas Lodge). Forest Inn features books and northwoods themed apparel and gifts and is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Featured only at Forest Inn Gift Shop: “Your Mighty Mississippi” collector t-shirt, check it out during your visit. Remember, if you dined at Douglas Lodge, you can use your receipt from dining at Douglas Lodge for a 20% discount off of one clothing item at Forest Inn Gift Shop (exceptions apply; refer to your receipt for details).
 
NEW Lodging Opportunity in Itasca—Bert’s Cabins!

Itasca State Park now operates Bert’s Cabins. Check out these one-, two-, or three-bedroom log and stick built cabins are all set in the towering pines located along the Wilderness Drive by the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. A great opportunity for family groups. Check it out on the Itasca web page under Lodging: Itasca Lodging: Bert's Cabins  (for those who only have a paper copy of this, type in the following address: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/lodging/itasca-state-park-berts-cabins.html )