The trail goes past a lot of the park's scenic wonders, including old pines, Indian mounds and, of course, the Headwaters of the Mississippi. After the Headwaters, cyclists can travel a section of highway that has a 20 mph speed limit and is popular with cyclists looking for a longer ride over rolling hills and past more pines and lakes. The ride follows Wilderness Drive that is mostly one way and circles the park. So you can ride the 5.4 mile bike trail to the Headwaters and then continue on Wilderness Drive for about 10 miles all the way back to where you started. The Wilderness Drive can be a challenging ride with several hills, and also a fast one as you go down those hills.
Cars are infrequent, but trees, lakes, ponds and wildlife are constant companions.
A park sticker is required to enter the park and can be purchased at the park entrance. The park has dozens of miles of hiking trails, a fire tower that gives a bird's eye view of the area, a beach, fishing, pontoon rides, camping, interpretive and campfire programs, dining lodge, rental cabins, hostel, bog walks, special events and more. There is always something going on, as if the park's natural wonders weren't enough. Many persons drive Hwy. 71 from Park Rapids to Itasca, others bike the route on newly-paved highway shoulders.