 April 2023
We're celebrating 100 years of protecting trees and providing a space for year-round outdoor recreation for all.
 Come for the majestic pines, stay up for the lights. PHOTO: Shannon Bungart
When Itasca State Park was established in 1891, Minnesota became the second oldest state park system in the country. Before flowing south, the Mississippi River travels north and west from the first state park toward Lake Bemidji. The name Bemidji comes from the Ojibwe word "bemijigamaag" meaning "lake with crossing waters," alluding to the river's path. On the lake is another of Minnesota's oldest state parks, established only 32 years after Itasca, Lake Bemidji State Park.
Lake Bemidji State Park was established in 1923 to protect the virgin pine forests, and to provide access to the lake and opportunities for recreation. These virgin forests of red, white and jack pine were not affected by logging, which means visitors today can see the same forest that existed hundreds of years ago. Park naturalist Christa Drake told us she found a pine tree along the Paul Bunyan State Trail that she estimates is at least 170 years old. She added: "There are likely older ones in the park that I haven’t found yet!"
Keep reading for more stories from park staff, who gave us the scoop on Lake Bemidji State Park and all the celebrations planned for the centennial.
Visit our website for a full timeline of the park's history.
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I love discovering botanical treasures, like wildflowers and interesting plants, along Lake Bemidji State Park’s trails and bog.
 Summer is the perfect season to hike the quarter-mile boardwalk to explore the beauty of a tamarack bog carpeted with blooming showy ladyslippers, pitcher plants, insect-eating sundews and other flowering bog plants.
I've always loved nature and the outdoors and grew up camping, hiking, fishing, foraging and exploring. My love for outdoor recreation led me to my current job, where I have the privilege of connecting more people to the great outdoors. I collaborate with the local Indigenous groups so I can include Ojibwe culture and language in interpretive programs and signs. It's important to acknowledge and learn from those who came before us.
There's something to do year-round at Lake Bemidji State Park. Come in late spring or summer for a picnic or to swim, fish or watch wildflowers bloom in the bog. Visit in the fall to bike, hike or roll on a wheelchair enveloped in bright colors. Return to the bog for the bright orange tamaracks, Minnesota's only deciduous conifers (pine trees that shed their needles). In the winter we have groomed trails for cross county skiing and skate skiing, and the rest of the park for snowshoeing. You can stay the night at a drive-in campsite, a group camp, or a camper cabin.
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 Walk the half-mile bog boardwalk at Lake Bemidji State Park to get a close-up view of the bog and Big Bog Lake. PHOTO: Christa Drake. Click on the photo to take a virtual tour!
The best kept secret of Lake Bemidji State Park is that we have a park naturalist.
I didn’t know that that there was such thing as a park naturalist until I started working here about 16 years ago. I wish I knew that when my kid was younger because I would have brought him here all the time. Christa plans so many great activities for kids and families! There's a playground and a nature play area, yet another plus for families with kids.
Lake Bemidji's great, and we have amenities to support water recreation whether it's frozen or liquid. We have a sandy swimming beach and a marina where you can moor your boat on a summer day. Lake Bemidji State Park is conveniently located close to town.
If you run into Dan, make sure to say thank you! He's the one plowing, clearing trails and readying sites and cabins for your overnight visit. Dan's also known for his excellent wood-working skills.
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 The marina includes a loading ramp and eight docks. Campers may leave their boats at a dock for no additional charge during their stay. PHOTO: T. Bobrowsky
Lake Bemidji State Park is a hub for biking. Whether you want to explore the park and its surroundings or start your trip on the longest of Minnesota's state trails, we have something for you.
 A paved trail takes you around Lake Bemidji and to the city of Bemidji.
You can bike all around the park! Ride the paved trails or mountain bike the natural-surface trails. If you don't own a bike or don't have a way to carry one, you can rent a bike at the park to use during your stay.
If you're looking for a longer trip, you can travel the 123 miles of the Paul Bunyan State Trail, from Lake Bemidji State Park to Crow Wing State Park. From the Paul Bunyan State Trail, you can also take the Heartland State Trail to visit Cass Lake or Park Rapids.
Birding is another big draw, as you can see many different bird species throughout the year, as they migrate one way or the other, or make a home here for the summer.
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Lake Bemidji State Park is a true hidden gem, very close to a city, but with abundant nature all around you to get a good dose of "green" and "blue."
 No snowshoes? No problem. You can rent a pair at the park and explore the snowy woods.
The park is a great place to visit and recreate at any time of year! Being from Florida, I thought people in the Midwest just stayed inside in the winter. But I’ve learned that there's a lot to do even when it is cold outside. You can ski, snowshoe, ice fish, hike and even winter camp at Lake Bemidji State Park!
In summer, hiking through the pines and paddling around Rocky Point are truly amazing. We rent canoes, kayaks and rowboats, so everyone can enjoy the lake, whether they own a boat or not. You can also check out the park's all-terrain track chair to explore trails not suitable for your regular wheelchair.
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