It starts either at Douglas Lodge or the designated parking lot for the trailhead. "Thanks to the fire tower, we have the opportunity to educate hundreds of children plus adults on forest stewardship and fire prevention," says Dawn Jensen, who works for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at Big Bog State Recreation Area, an over 9,000 acre area located on the shores of Upper Red Lake. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 55 min to complete. The 100-foot fire tower in Big Bog State Recreation Area offers views of Upper Red Lake and portions of the Red Lake Peatlands. Good, quick hike. Before you visit the park, it is better if you can plan everything accordingly. When Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and his expedition came to northern Minnesota area in 1832, they traveled directly to Lake Itasca only because their Ojibwe Indian guide, Ozawindib, knew where the river started. All You Need Is Ice Cream And you dont even need to scream for it. The Pioneer Cemetery, which was founded in 1898, is one of the historical sites in Itasca State Park. Fire creates favorable conditions for the growth and survival of pines and they depend on it for reproduction. Aiton Heights Fire Tower, Itasca State Park As the home of the Mississippi River headwaters and stands of old-growth forests, Itasca is teeming with adventure. Soak in the scenery by climbing the 100-foot tall retired fire tower to survey nearly 50 miles of trails winding through the park. There were once nearly 150 fire towers standing guard over the state's forests as protection against unwanted fires. The fire tower at the DNR Forestry Station in Nimrod, Minnesota, is one of the only towers in the state still used to detect fires. "The tower can be a quicker way to spot smoke," MN DNR Forester Jordan Griffing told me. Read more Written July 6, 2022 Search the DNR Website Search hide caption. By the 1920s, when the park's wooden towers gave way to steel, Itasca had already set in motion a fire prevention program that employed the ascent of the towers as an educational tool. For a less rustic experience you can stay at the year-round historic Douglas Lodge, the Mississippi Headwaters Hostel, or one of several cabins and guest houses. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Aiton Heights Fire Tower is located inside Itasca State Park. One of the highlights of my trip was climbing the Aiton Heights Fire Tower in Itasca State Park. Courageous visitors climbed to the top of the structures and, unexpectedly, the platforms proved themselves to be "very important in locating fires," says Connie Cox, the MN DNR Lead Interpretive Naturalist at Itasca. They were later used to detect fires. Whitewater State Park Get a bird's eye view of limestone bluffs and deep ravines at the top of this tower. While the headwaters are what draw most people, the Aiton Heights tower is a close second. ), BUT YOULL CERTAINLY GET A VIEW THATS OUT OF THIS WORLD. Elevation of Lake Itasca, South Clearwater, MN, USA Longitude: -95.204816 Latitude: 47.2171841 Elevation: 447m / 1467feet Barometric Pressure: 96KPa Elevation Map: Satellite Map: Related Photos: Lake Itasca in the Afternoon (Pano), 15 July 2019 Challenge accepted . Peat fires can travel underground, making them infamously difficult to extinguish, as well as unpredictable and hard to control. 01 aiton heights fire tower. An Osborne Fire Finder, a type of alidade tool used to locate fires, inside the cab of the fire tower at the DNR Forestry Station in Nimrod, Minnesota. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 2023 Minnesota DNR | Equal opportunity employer |. This fire tower was unlike the one I climbed in St. Croix State Park the first time. Aiton Heights Fire Tower: US 548, MN 8: Ash River Lookout: US 1286, MN 12: Badoura Lookout Tower: US 120, MN 4: Bemidji Fire Tower: US 710, MN 9: Ben Draper Lookout: US 156, MN 5: Birchdale Lookout: US 1483, MN 18: Black Bay Lookout Tower: US 1304, MN 14: Bois Forte Lookout: US 1484, MN 19: Boulder Hill Fire Tower: US 270, MN 7: Elba Fire Tower . The Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center a self-guided history tour from 8,000 years ago to the 17th century has various environmental and historical displays beneath the portico. Perham youth wrestlers return home with state championship hardware, Baseball: Yellowjackets suffer first loss of the season to Chatfield, Baseball: Perhams offense gets going early in 12-5 win over St. Charles, Progress: Perham-based Goose Group is a growing flock, In an EV revolution, ethanol advocates say they have the advantage, Cheers and tears fill evening of honor at 2023 Perham Area Chamber Choice Awards, Finding Faith: We meet God in those around us. When dry, peat ignites easily and can burn for days, weeks, even years if smoldering underground. The tower is used to educate visitors about fire prevention and the forest. Find popular and cheap hotels near Aiton Heights Fire Tower in Park Rapids with real guest reviews and ratings. During the 1940s and 1950s the tower was used by park rangers to monitor forests and keep a close watch for forest fires. Listen for all the warblers along the way. Now a relic of history, the steep staircases of the fire towers in Minnesota's Itasca State Park and Big Bog State Recreation Area are tackled by thousands of people every year. On their way to the top, they learn about the land, its history, and the importance of preventing unplanned forest fires. The hike into the tower was tougher then climbing to the top of it, plus one the way out a big beaver walk right in front of us. The rich pine forest surrounding Pine Lake Forest Road in Hubbard County, Minnesota. Get Carried Away If a stairway to heaven isnt quite your jam, take to the sky with one of these hot-air balloon outings. The trail has a moderate and consistent elevation at the start. Originally erected by the MN Division of Forestry in the 1920s, it was moved to Itasca State Park in 1937 and assigned dual roles: visitor education and fire detection. Snowshoers like to explore the Wilderness Sanctuary and the point of land between the arms of Lake Itasca. Itasca State Park is at 36750 Main Park Drive, north of Park Rapids on U.S. Highway 71 North. Adventure Awaits Thrill or chilldiscover a kind of fun thats right for you! The trail starts in a more decidous portion of Minnesota forest, anas you get closer to the lakes near the fire tower you'll start to arrive in a slightly thicker forest comprised of decidous and coniferous trees. The CCC ground house was occupied until 1957, and then later moved to serve a boat launching site. Prior to the fire suppression efforts that began in the 1900s, the park would have had a natural fire every 22 years on average. If you are interested in learning more about the history, you may think about visiting these historical sites. Itasca was founded to protect thousands of acres of old-growth pines from logging, which in turn protect the headwaters. The 500-square-mile Big Bog State Recreation Area is the largest in the lower 48 states. Every kid likes the park, but you can only teeter so many totters before your bum is ready for something new. no. located in the administrative territorial entity, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, https://centraluslookouts.weebly.com/alton-heights.html, https://minnesotafiretower.blogspot.com/2012/06/aiton-heights-fire-tower.html, http://nhlr.org/lookouts/us/mn/aiton-fire-tower/, https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?title=Q86867982&oldid=1460460021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The Nimrod tower, built in 1928, is staffed regularly during Minnesota's fire season. They knelt and complied. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. You can still place a hold on the title, and your hold will be automatically filled as soon as the title is available again. Hiking and bicycling routes include self-guided tours of the parks historic buildings, and a boardwalk connects one of the parks lodges to the Old Timers cottage. A "good chunk" of visitors climb it to connect with the natural landscape, "not a manicured forest," says Cox. Since fires were nearly eliminated from the park a century ago, trees such as spruce, fir and maple have been allowed to dominate the ecosystem instead of pines. You have to park about a half mile away in a parking lot and hike to the tower. The gift store in Itasca State Park is now closed due to the pandemic, but the interpretive center is open. In a clever twist, the bog's inhospitable moss and peat-covered landscape accommodates several rare and endangered fauna and flora, as well as moose, deer, bears, foxes, wolves, and an abundance of birds. Small cities, year-round locations for outdoor lovers, and attractions for travelers who prefer their adventure inside may all be found in the surrounding region. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It requires a $7 daily car fee or $35 annual pass to enter. Great River Bluffs State Park Hike the Kings Bluff Trail for breathtaking views! You can reach the headwaters of the Mississippi by driving around the north end of Lake Itasca and following the signs. Sibley State Park Hike up Mount Tom and see forest, farmland, prairie, and lakes. There are more than 20 interpretive signs around Itasca State Park that give information on the great things to do. In 1891, the legislature established Itasca State Park. Evergreen Fun Park | Aiton Heights Fire Tower | . 1006 Crocus Hill Street, Park Rapids, MN 56470 Assisted Living Memory Care Independent Living To Reach a Resident (218) 699-3605 For pricing and availability (218) 755-5451 Nearby communities We think you might like these nearby communities These are recommended communities nearby Crystal Brook Senior Living Frazee Assisted Living Home Care The area contains a major portion of plants and animals once common to Minnesota and has been designated a State Scientific and Natural Area and a Registered Natural Landmark by the National Park Service. Lake of the Woods + Red Lake Area, Minnesota. The Aiton Heights Fire Tower was erected in the 1920s by the Minnesota Division of Forestry. While the exact beginning place was a source of contention in the past, the 2,552-mile-long Mississippi River starts its trip from Lake Itasca. If you take your time and pace yourself you shouldn't have a problem. hide caption. Aiton Heights Fire Tower attraction reviews - Aiton Heights Fire Tower tickets - Aiton Heights Fire Tower discounts - Aiton Heights Fire Tower transportation, address, opening hours - attractions, hotels, and food near Aiton Heights Fire Tower - Trip.com OverviewNearbyReviewsWin Prizes Trip Travel Guides North America United States Minnesota Rooms are available in the main lodge and in Nicollet Court, a motel-type unit. Peat fires can travel underground, making them infamously difficult to extinguish, as well as unpredictable and hard to control. The rich pine forest surrounding Pine Lake Forest Road in Hubbard County, Minnesota. Im fascinated by history, and Itasca State Park has much to tell. Red Bridge Inn Bed and Breakfast on the water. This page was last edited on 15 July 2021, at 09:50. Sarah Stacke Mille Lacs Kathio State Park This 100 foot observation tower is a perfect stop to see fall colors. There are 45 miles of hiking trails at Itasca State Park, but you can also cycle on a 16-mile paved and off-road paved track or take a beautiful drive along the 10-mile Wilderness Drive to access many of the historical and natural sights. A bird's-eye view of the forests covering Itasca State Park from Aiton Heights Fire Tower, a popular attraction in the park. Quam led the effort to restore and preserve the Pinewood Fire Tower, now located on the fairgrounds. The fire tower is accessible with a half-mile hike from the designated Fire Tower parking area. JOIN THE RANKS OF CLIFFORD AND EMILY ELIZABETH OR HARRY AND HEDWIG BY MAKING YOUR OWN FURRY FRIEND. Before following the short route to the Mississippi Headwaters the #1 thing to do at Itasca State Park youll want to spend some time at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. All rights reserved. The 32,000-acre park is the states most developed park yet also one of its most pristine. 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