Lake Bemidji State Park celebrated its centennial in 2023. As one of the oldest units in our venerable parks system, this 100-year-old state park in Minnesota has much to offer visitors all throughout the year. It’s a great spot for a camping vacation, but if your time in the area is limited, it’s also an awesome destination for a day trip in Minnesota – winter, spring, summer, or fall.

Lake Bemidji State Park was established along the northeastern shore of its namesake lake in 1923 to preserve the virgin pine, spruce, and tamarack that remained in the area.
ja berg/Google Reviews
The other key mandate in setting aside the park was to create and preserve access to Lake Bemidji for the public.
Jenni Konrad/Flickr
Lake Bemidji is also important as the first major lake along the Mississippi River's course after leaving its headwaters at Lake Itasca.
Today, Minnesotans and visitors alike enjoy the park's beaches and public water access for fishing, paddling, and boating.
Lori Patrice/Google Reviews
Come winter, when the lake is frozen, it's popular for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and of course, ice angling.
If you're a cyclist, be sure to bring along your bike when you visit the park.
jared steen/Google Reviews
The Paul Bunyan State Trail runs right through the park. Of course, you an also just hike a portion of the trail, as well.

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History and park buffs will appreciate the WPA and NYA-constructed log structures that remain in the park.
Paula Kleczka/Google Reviews
They're listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The northern section of the park preserves an area of peatland bog, for which this part of the state is known.
Bemidji State park shares Lake Bemidji with the town of Bemidji in northern Minnesota
Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images
Old-growth black spruce and tamarack line the bog boardwalk trail.
In early summer, you may see several species that thrive in the acidic bog environment, like carnivorous pitcher plants.
S Nygaard/Flickr
Orchids, like our state flower - the showy lady's slipper - also thrive in the bog environment.
Senthil Murugesan/Google Reviews
There's so much to do at Lake Bemidji State Park, that you'll have a hard time fitting it all in before the sun goes down.
Tim Weinberg/Google Reviews
Speaking of which, be sure to stay for the amazing sunset over the lake!

No matter how much time you end up spending at Lake Bemidji State Park, I’m sure that after you visit once, you’ll definitely want to return again (and again)! If you decide you want to make more than a day trip out of your visit, the park’s campground boasts 95 sites, two group camps, and four year-round camper cabins. A handful of campsites are also available for year-round camping. Visit the Lake Bemidji State Park page on the DNR website for more information or to make reservations. Don’t forget to pack your hiking gear before you visit, and download AllTrails onto your smartphone for trail maps at your fingertips.

Have you visited Lake Bemidji State Park? Tell us about your experience and your favorite things about the park in the comments!

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Lake Bemidji State Park, 3401 State Park Rd NE, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA