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Minnesota
52

Minnesota State Parks

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Minnesota
Heartland Region
Lake Bemidji State Park
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LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK
LAKE BEMIDJI STATE PARK
3401 State Park Road Northeast
Bemidji, Minnesota   56601

Phone: 218-308-2300
Toll Free: 888-646-6367
Reservations: 866-857-2757
Email: park email button icon
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-around 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.
Nature of the Area
Located in a pine-moraine region of Minnesota, the park contains a mixture of plant communities from the mixed red and white pine uplands to jack pine barrens. The park also contains fine examples of conifer bog that includes some of Minnesota's most unusual plants and animals. A quarter mile long boardwalk leads into one of these areas so that visitors can observe pitcher plants, insect eating sundews, orchids, and other plants.

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. The park's rolling topography was created by uneven deposits of this glacial till. Meltwater from the glacier also played a role in creating the present shape of the land. Many of the swamps and bogs in the park were formed when chunks of ice separated form the receding glacier and left depressions which later filled with water. Lake Bemidji itself is the result of ice left behind by the retreating glacier.

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. Loons, eagles, herons, even osprey can be seen on the lake. Hikers often come across deer, porcupine, squirrels, and chipmunks and even spot the occasional black bear. In the evening, visitors are treated to the sounds of gray treefrogs, spring peepers, and chorus of wood frogs. The sound of the barred owl, the flute-like song of the veery, and the hammering of a pileated woodpecker all add to the wilderness experience.
History of the Area
For hundreds of years, the ancestors to the Dakota Indians fished and hunted around Lake Bemidj. Later, the westward-moving Anishinabe reached the area around 1750. Early trader records identify Lake Bemidji as "Lac Traverse" which is French for diagonal. The Anishinabe knew the lake as "Bemiji-gau-maug" meaning cutting sideways through or diagonally. This was a reference to the path of the Mississippi River through the lake. In the late 1800s, European immigrants were drawn to this region to harvest the prime white and Norway pine. During the peak of logging around the turn of the century, the lumber mills on the south shore of Lake Bemidji were the center of logging in the nation. The foundation of one mill is still visiible near Nymore Beach. Logging artifacts are occasionally found in the lake by divers. Fortunately, a few areas within the park boundaries were still in a virgin state when the land was purchased by the government, thus preserving a remnant of towering forests so common in years past. In 1923, the Minnesota Legislature established Lake Bemidji as a state park. The park serves more than 125,000 visitors each year
Swimming
1. Lake Bemidji State Park offers a sandy beach for swimming.
2. Lifeguards are not provided, so swim at your own risk.
3. The park's designated swimming area is marked by buoys.
4. Swimming outside the buoyed area can be dangerous due to boat traffic and fishing lines.
5. Children must always have adult supervision while in or near water bodies within the park boundaries.
6. The lake temperature varies depending on weather conditions; check with rangers before diving in during cooler months.

Boating
Visitors can enjoy a variety of boating options. The park offers boat rentals, including kayaks and paddleboards for those who want to explore the lake at their own pace. There is also a public water access point available in case you bring your own vessel. For larger boats or fishing expeditions, there's an accessible fishing pier as well as two sandbar areas that are perfect for picnicking after spending time on the water.
Fishing
You can enjoy fishing in the freshwater lake, home to species like walleye, northern pike and yellow perch. Other fish include bluegill and crappie. Ice fishing is popular during winter months.



Picnicking
Lake Bemidji State Park offers picnic tables, fire rings and grills. There's also a beachside pavilion for larger gatherings.
Bicycling
Biking enthusiasts should be aware that there are several options available. The park offers a 5-mile mountain bike trail, but it's not for beginners due to its challenging terrain and steep inclines.

For those seeking less strenuous rides, the paved Paul Bunyan State Trail is accessible from within the park boundaries. It stretches over 100 miles through scenic northern Minnesota landscapes.

However, please note that biking on hiking trails or off designated paths isn't allowed in order to protect natural habitats of local wildlife species.

Remember always wear your helmet while riding and follow all posted safety guidelines when exploring these routes.
Birding
The park offers a variety of birding opportunities with over 200 species recorded. Birders can spot bald eagles, loons, and warblers among others. The Bog Walk is particularly popular for spotting rare birds like the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher or Northern Shrike.

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Area Campgrounds
Royal Oaks RV Park
2874 Fenske Farm Lane Southeast
Bemidji, MN
218-751-8357
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Entrance to the park is off County State Aid Highway 20.

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Minnesota
52

Minnesota State Parks

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