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Lake Bemidji State Park

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This park is the perfect playground any time of year, offering visitors swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, camping, biking, picnicking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and year-round naturalist-led activities.

Hikers can explore the beauty of a tamarack bog carpeted with showy lady's slippers, pitcher plants, dragon's mouth, grass pink, and insect-eating sundews. Most flowers are blooming in the bog during late spring and early summer.

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

Visitor Alert!

Campground Status

Our campground is melting out! Most sites are available. The dump station is open. Water is not on in the campground yet. Lake Bemidji is still mostly frozen but local rivers are opening up. We will update this as conditions change.

Gulch Lake Forest Campground and Lake 21 DUA

The Gulch Lake Forest Campground and Lake 21 Day-Use Area in the Paul Bunyan State Forest are currently inaccessible. State Forest Roads will remain closed until they firm up and can support vehicle traffic. We will continue to provide updates as conditions change.

Camper Cabins Open Year-round!

Our new camper cabins are perfect for any season! They have electric heat and lights, a screen porch, and a picnic table and fire-ring outside. Reservations can be made up to a year in advance. On the linked map, Cabin 1 is known as Tamarack, Cabin 2 is Spruce, Cabin 3 is Balsam and Cabin 4 is Maple. Map of camper cabin location

Park Notes

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

Podcasts and Other Extras:

Visit the Lake Bemidji bog and take along this audio podcast as a trail guide to what you will see on your walk (21:25 mp3)
Check out this slideshow featuring the seasons at the park
The Minnesota Twins enjoyed a snowshoeing trek at the park
Lake Bemidji State Park Newsletter (Fall/Winter 2012 issue)
For teachers: School Field Trip Ideas

WiFi:

Free WiFi is available in the campground and Visitors Center.

Group Camping Options:

The North Group Camp is no longer available for reservations. If you are looking for an alternate site, the Bass Creek Group Camp can accommodate similar sized groups.

Gift Cards:

Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card.

Forest Campground:

Lake Bemidji State Park also manages the Gulch Lake Forest Campground and day-use area, 25 miles south of Bemidji in the Paul Bunyan State Forest. These are rustic campgrounds that have a fee of $12 per night per site. For current information call the park office at 218-308-2300.

Birders:

Bird Checklist at Lake Bemidji State Park.

Firewood Restrictions Information:

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

Park Highlights

Camping	Fishing
Unique Ecosystem	Bog Walk
Eagle/Osprey Viewing	Lake Recreation

Events

Find more State Park events on the DNR Events Calendar!

05/14/13	Bemidji Public Library	Library Geocaching
05/26/13 - 07/07/13	Lake Bemidji State Park	Bog-watcher Sundays May 27-July 8
06/07/13 - 09/01/13	Lake Bemidji State Park	Weekly Pontoon Tours June-August
06/08/13	Lake Bemidji State Park	Butterflies: On the Hunt
06/09/13 - 09/01/13	Lake Bemidji State Park	Performing Arts On Stage June-August
06/15/13	Lake Bemidji State Park	Archery in the Park
06/30/13	Lake Bemidji State Park	Sail-In

Hours

Best time to contact the park:

Daily, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Contact

3401 State Park Road Northeast
Bemidji, MN 56601

tel: 218-308-2300

email: lakebemidji.statepark@state.mn.us

Getting There

10 minutes north of Bemidji off Highway 71 N. Watch for and follow park signage.