Itasca State Park Mississippi River Headwaters Camera

This camera overlooks the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park in northern Minnesota, where the young river begins its journey from Lake Itasca. Viewers see a rocky lakeshore lit by infrared night vision, with a birch tree and wooden sign post standing near the water and pine and birch forest lining the far bank.

Because the stream is shown in dark, monochrome night imagery, it is a quiet window onto the northwoods after dark, when wildlife and the lake's stillness are easiest to notice. It is worth watching for anyone curious about the start of one of North America's great rivers.