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Big Bog State Recreation Area

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Big Bog State Recreation Area has been called Minnesota's last true wilderness. This two-part recreation area includes a northern unit and a southern unit. The 500-square-mile peat bog, the largest in the lower 48 states, is located in the northern unit. A mile-long boardwalk, completed in 2005, enables visitors to get a first-hand look at the unique plant and animal life of this rare resource. The bog, which has long been a source of medicinal plants for the Ojibwe Indians, represented a barrier to European settlers who tried in vain to drain it. Today, many of the native plants, including yellow-eyed grass, bog rush and two kinds of sundews, are on Minnesota's endangered or threatened species list. From orchids to carnivorous plants to rare birds, visitors will see a mixture of fascinating and rare resources.

The southern unit includes a campground with 31 campsites (26 electric sites) winterized camper cabins, a sandy beach, picnic grounds, and great fishing.

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


Visitor Alert!

As of 5/7, the The grass is drying out nicely in the campground. The Tamarac River is open and the ice is beginning to melt out past the mouth of the river. Ice on the lake is still present but is beginning to look soft.

Park Notes

Virtual Tour:

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

Year-Round Camper Cabins

Five camper cabins located in the southern unit have electricity and are heated for use year-round. These are rustic cabins with no indoor plumbing. A family-style modern shower/restroom is available year-round at the Visitor Center. Vault toilets next to the cabins are available in winter as well as summer season. A shower building is available for use in the campground on a seasonal basis.

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 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. at Big Bog State Recreation Area.

Park Highlights

tree Fishing

tree Camping

tree Birdwatching

tree Bog Boardwalk

tree Swimming

tree Picnicking


Events

view a printable version

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

06/08/13

Big Bog State Park

Bog Flowers on the Boardwalk

06/22/13

Big Bog State Park

Jewels From Red Lake

06/29/13

Big Bog State Park

Build-A-Birdhouse


Hours

Best time to contact the park:

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

Contact

P.O. Box 428
Waskish, MN 56685

tel: 218-647-8592

fax: 218-647-8730

email: bigbog.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

Located on Highway 72, just north of the town of Waskish.