There are many campgrounds located in the park, some as small as a single backpacking site, but ranging up to a 218-site RV campground with all the conveniences. The first Adirondack Shelters to be found on the North Country Trail are located here. The shelters and the backpacking campgrounds all have to be reserved ahead of time. Various interpretive activities are available. Very limited hiker supplies are available at the Itasca Nature Store, located in the Douglas Lodge area.
Bike rentals are available, but only at the park headquarters toward the north end of the trail.
An AYH hostel is also located in the headquarters area. The trail intersects an abandoned forest road, proceeding southward, and goes around the east side of Kirk Lake, and continues southward, until reaching an old access road leading eastward, about 5.2 miles from the park boundary. At this point, the trail enters the longer-established park trail system. The trail joins the Eagle Scout Trail heading eastward through some magnificant pine stands with spectacular views of remote lakes. After 2 miles on the Eagle Scout Trail, the NCT reaches the Ozawindib Trail at Iron Corner Lake.