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Lake Bemidji State Park is a Minnesota state park near Bemidji, covering 1,728 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 1,728acres
- Bemidjimailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Camping
- Fishing
- Unique ecosystem
- Boardwalk through the bog
- Eagle/osprey viewing
- Lake recreation
Plan It in Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: 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.
Wildlife. The diversity of vegetation in the park supports many wildlife species. Birdwatching is a favorite activity with hobbyists spotting red-eyed and warbling vireos, rose-breasted grosbeaks, and many other forest songsters.
History. For hundreds of years, the ancestors to the Dakota fished and hunted around Lake Bemidji. Later, the westward-moving Anishinabe reached the area around 1750.
Geology. The park landscape is the result of the last stage of glaciation in Minnesota. Sand, gravel, and rock material carried by the glacier as it moved south was eventually deposited as the ice receded 10,000 years ago.
Visit Facts
- Address3401 State Park Road Northeast Bemidji, MN 56601
- Phone218-308-2300
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursOpen Daily 8:30 AM – 4:15 PM, as staffing permits
- Emaillakebemidji.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point47.54064, -94.83580 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for Lake Bemidji State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Accessible | 2 miles | — |
| Summer | Self-Guided | 1 mile | The trails include the boardwalk and the Rocky Point trail. |
| Summer | Hiking | 11 miles | Easy to moderate trails that take you through areas of maturing pine, aspen and hardwoods. |
| Summer | Paved Bike | 1.3 miles | Rental bikes are available first-come, first-served. Bring your own helmets. The bikes are most comfortable for people 5'2" and taller. Trail connects with the Paul Bunyan State Trail. |
| Summer | Unpaved Bike | 5 miles | Within the park. |
| Summer | Boardwalk | Bog Walk, Sundew Pond, & Bass Creek | You will have about a one-mile hike to the 1/4 mile boardwalk that leads into the bog. Late May through mid-July is peak of blooming season for orchids including the showy lady slippers which peaks in late June. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic | 8 miles | The park has universal cross-country skis to check out at the ranger station. A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required on groomed ski trails for skiers age 16 and up. |
| Winter | Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Skate | 1.3 Miles | 1.3 miles of skate skiing trails in the park. Additionally, there are 28 miles of trails within 5-miles of the park that are part of the Minnesota Ski Trail system. |
| Winter | Snowmobile | 3 Miles | Trails connect with extensive trail system that continues beyond the park. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in Park | The park rents snowshoes at the park office. Snowshoers are asked to stay off groomed ski trails. |
| Winter | Other | Winter hiking | Winter hiking is available along the plowed roads and parking lots which make a one-mile loop. Hikers, dog-walkers and snowshoers are also permitted on the packed and untracked sections of trail leading to the Rocky Point Overlook, Sundew Pond Overlook and bog boardwalk. |
Camping and Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites | 95 Sites | Majority of sites provide woodland shade. Some provide privacy of a secluded site. In winter, one site is available for drive-in. Other sites are available on a walk-in basis after snow cover. |
| Pull-Through Sites | 5 Sites | Two of the five pull-through sites are electric. |
| Electric Sites | 43 Sites | All sites are 30 amp. |
| RV Length Limit | 50 Feet | Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed. |
| Accessible Sites | 4 Sites | The campground has four accessible drive-in sites. Two of these sites are electric. |
| Group Camp | Bass Creek & Lavinia Group Camps | Lavinia Group Camp accommodates up to 50 people. There are five 50-amp electric hookups for RVs and a large tenting area. Drinking water is available, but there are no water hookups. Bass Creek Group Camp accommodates up to 30 people. Sites are rustic with vault toilets. Tents only. Water is available at the parking lot. |
| Accessible Lodging | 2 accessible camper cabins | Tamarack and Maple camper cabins are accessible. |
| Camper Cabins | 4 | All four camper cabins have heat and electricity and are available year-round. Each has a screened porch and an outdoor fire ring and picnic table. No extra shelters are permitted on the camper cabin sites; no smoking or pets. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Pier | Wheelchair accessible | — |
| Swimming Beach | Within the park | — |
| Boat Access | — | — |
| Boat Docks | — | The marina includes a loading ramp and eight docks. |
| Canoe Access | At Boat Marina | — |
| Other | Boat Marina/Fish Cleaning house | Concrete boat ramp along with 10 slips for guest use. Be aware that access to the launch ramp may be difficult for larger motor homes. There is a 7 ton limit on the bridge to access the boat launch ramp. For vehicles that exceed this weight there is a public access located 2 miles from the park. Fish cleaning house is adjacent to the marina. |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | Adjacent to the lake and beach | The picnic area is shaded with a nice view of the lake. It includes picnic tables and fire rings. |
| Picnic Shelter | Enclosed Shelter | Located at the beach, the picnic shelter includes fireplace, tables and electric outlets. This facility may be reserved by calling the park office. |
| Playground | — | — |
| Volleyball | In Picnic Area | A regulation volleyball court is available at the picnic/beach area. Guests may borrow the volleyball at park office. |
| Canoe Access | Same as Boat Access | — |
| Golf Course | Within 10 Miles | One of the local golf courses is located just outside the park. Others are in and near the city of Bemidji. All are public courses. |
| Other | Dining Hall | The Dining Hall and surrounding lawn area is a day-use facility and can accommodate up to 120 people. This facility may be reserved by calling the park office. |
| Warming House | Trail Center | The park's visitor center is the winter warming house with tables and flush toilets. |
| Other | — | In winter, universal x-c skis, snowshoe rental available daily during regular office hours. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger Station | 3/4 Miles Along Park Entrance Road | Office has Nature Store as well as area information. Lower level of office contains the park's Visitor Center and includes exhibits that focus on Lake Bemidji and the Bog. |
| Visitor Center | Lower Level of Park Office | Includes interpretive exhibits and serves as a winter trail center. |
| Naturalist Programs | Year-round | — |
| Gift Shop | Park Office | Nature Store in park office offers a variety of gifts, clothing, books and other nature-related items. |
| Groceries | Within 7 Miles | Located in the city of Bemidji. |
| Rentals | Boats, canoes, universal x-c skis, snowshoes, bikes | Rental bikes are available during the summer for $5/hour or $25/day, first-come, first-served. Bring your own helmets. The bikes are most comfortable for people 5'2" and taller. Electric bikes are available for $20/hour or $125/day. Boat and canoe rentals are available from the ranger station. Universal cross-country skis and snowshoe rentals are available in the winter. |
| Firewood | At Park Office | Available year-round. |
| Ice Sales | At Park Office | Available mid-May through mid-Oct. |
| Restaurant | Within 7 Miles | Located in the city of Bemidji. |
| Public Phones | Park Office | Courtesy phone outside park office. |
Pets and Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Park-specific: No extra shelters are permitted on the camper cabin sites; no smoking or pets. Hikers, dog-walkers and snowshoers are also permitted on the packed and untracked sections of trail leading to the Rocky Point Overlook, Sundew Pond Overlook and bog boardwalk.
Directions
10 minutes north of Bemidji off Highway 71 N. Watch for and follow park signage.
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- La Salle Lake State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 20 miles away in a straight line
- Itasca State ParkState Park, about 27 miles away in a straight line
- Big Bog State Recreation AreaState Recreation Area, about 46 miles away in a straight line
- Schoolcraft State ParkState Park, about 53 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More in North Lakes
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
- Leech Lake
- Big Bog State Recreation Area
- Garden Island State Recreation Area
- Hayes Lake State Park
- Itasca State Park
- La Salle Lake State Recreation Area
- Zippel Bay State Park
- Events in North Lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Bemidji State Park?
It is near Bemidji, Minnesota. The DNR address is 3401 State Park Road Northeast Bemidji, MN 56601.
How much does it cost to visit Lake Bemidji State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at Lake Bemidji State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. This park’s page adds limits listed in Pets And Permits above.
Sources
- Lake Bemidji State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.