Minnesota State Parks and Trails on Facebook

Bear Head Lake State Park

Park photo slide show. This slideshow requires the latest version of
Adobe Flash Player

Secluded in the Northwoods, this park contains pristine lakes; it is home to black bears, nesting eagles, wolves and moose. Stands of white and red pine trees tower over the birch, aspen and fir trees. Located just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, the park shares a similar wilderness quality. Explore miles of shoreline by canoe. Swim at the beach, picnic in the shelter building, or fish for walleye, bass, crappies or trout. Trails in the park link-up with the Taconite State Trail and offer snowmobilers, skiers and hikers plenty to enjoy. Rent a three-bedroom guest house or camper cabin any season of the year.

Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.

Visitor Alert!

Construction Update

The new trail center is nearing completion! There will be some landscaping work this spring, so be mindful of equipment near the beach area. We hope visitors can begin using the new trail center by late June to early July.

Park Notes

State Forest Campgrounds:

Bear Head Lake State Park also manages the Woodenfrog, Ash River and Wakemup Bay campgrounds inside the Kabetogama State Forest. For information on these units, please contact the Bear Head Lake State Park office at (218) 365-7229.

2010 America's Favorite Park!

Photo of Bear Head Lake State Park Manager Jen Westlund standing next to the sign at the park's entrance. Bear Head Lake State Park won the 2010 title of "America's Favorite Park" and a $100,000 gift in a nationwide campaign sponsored by Coca-Cola. The money improved a trail center at the park. Thank you Minnesota, and thank you America!
Watch the video of the award ceremony.

Virtual Tour:

Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park!
Panoramic tour | Snapshot tour

There's also a short video of scenes from the park.

Gift Card:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

Minnesota has enacted legislation that restricts firewood being brought to or used on DNR lands. Learn more and review vendor lists.

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Bear Head Lake State Park.

Directions:

From Tower, go east on MN Highway 169 for 9 miles to County Highway 128. Follow this road south 7 miles to the park.

From Ely, go west on MN Highway 169 to County Highway 128. Follow this road south 7 miles to the park.

Park Highlights

Camping	Fishing
Great Hiking Trails	Wilderness Atmosphere
Wildlife	23 Miles of Lakeshore

Events

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

06/08/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
06/13/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Geocaching 101
06/13/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Digital Bridge to Nature
06/15/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Mammals of Minnesota
06/15/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Beaver Behavior
06/15/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
06/22/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
06/29/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
07/06/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
07/10/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Lets Get Littoral!
07/13/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
07/17/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	What is the SNA program?
07/20/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
07/24/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Moose Management/Research
07/27/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Birding at Bear Head Lake
07/31/13	Bear Head Lake State Park	Can I Eat This?

Hours

Best time to contact the park:

June - Labor Day: Daily, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

September: Daily, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

October - Memorial Day weekend: Intermittent between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Contact

9301 Bear Head State Park Road
Ely, MN 55731

tel: 218-365-7229

email: bearhead.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

From the town of Tower, go east on U.S. Highway 169, 9 miles to St. Louis County Highway 128. Take Highway 128 south 7 miles to the contact station.