Bear Head Lake State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- No dogs
- Camping
- 122 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(218) 235-2520
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Partial closure Seasonal WaterThe sanitation buildings are closed for the season. You can find drinking water and vault toilets throughout the park. Flush toilets are available at… (more)
The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. You can find drinking water and vault toilets throughout the park. Flush toilets are available at the Trail Center year-round.
Posted by the park 2026-10-04. Official alert
Partial closure ATVs are not allowed in the parkATVs and side-by-sides are not allowed in Bear Head Lake State Park. Although some portions of the Taconite State Trail are open to ATVs and… (more)
ATVs and side-by-sides are not allowed in Bear Head Lake State Park. Although some portions of the Taconite State Trail are open to ATVs and side-by-sides, the trail through Bear Head Lake State Park remains closed under MN Rules 6100.1900.
Posted by the park 2026-10-04. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 4,307 acres, Bear Head Lake State Park lies in St. Louis County, about 11 miles southwest of Ely.
Things to do include canoeing and kayaking, swimming, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching. Its trail network totals roughly 12 miles, according to the park. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a fishing pier. Overnight options include 122 campsites across 5 camping areas, with RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Park | Water: Year-round water is available at a water tap outside the park office and at the Trail Center. The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. Trailer dump station water is off for the season. Bathrooms: There are flush toilets available at the Trail Center year-round. Individual vault toilets are available year-round in the campground. The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. Programs: Available, please check Park Calendar for scheduled programs. Showers: The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. The sanitation building by the fish house offers single private showering facilities. Dump station: Due to freezing temperatures, water is off at the trailer dump station. The dump station will remain open until the snow falls. Drinking water: Year-round water is available at a water tap outside the park office and at the Trail Center. Trails: There are 12 miles of hiking trails in the park. Campgrounds: Camping is available year-round. Not many of our campsites can accommodate hammocks without harming the campground's natural resources. In addition, the camper cabins and guest house are available for rent year-round. Electric sites: Park has 45 electric sites. RVs: Back in pads available for RV campers. The campground is not suitable for some large Class A motorhomes. | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Daily intermittently.
Camping is available year-round. Not many of our campsites can accommodate hammocks without harming the campground's natural resources. In addition, the camper cabins and guest house are available for rent year-round.
Water: Year-round water is available at a water tap outside the park office and at the Trail Center. The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. Trailer dump station water is off for the season. Bathrooms: There are flush toilets available at the Trail Center year-round. Individual vault toilets are available year-round in the campground. The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. Programs: Available, please check Park Calendar for scheduled programs. Showers: The sanitation buildings are closed for the season. The sanitation building by the fish house offers single private showering facilities. Dump station: Due to freezing temperatures, water is off at the trailer dump station. The dump station will remain open until the snow falls. Drinking water: Year-round water is available at a water tap outside the park office and at the Trail Center. Trails: There are 12 miles of hiking trails in the park. Campgrounds: Camping is available year-round. Not many of our campsites can accommodate hammocks without harming the campground's natural resources. In addition, the camper cabins and guest house are available for rent year-round. Electric sites: Park has 45 electric sites. RVs: Back in pads available for RV campers. The campground is not suitable for some large Class A motorhomes.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Fees and passes
Per vehicle: a state park vehicle permit (one-day $7 or year-round $35) is required for every vehicle; same price for residents and nonresidents. Four free park days per year. Iron Range OHV SRA states 'There is no entrance fee'.
Statewide fee rule from Minnesota's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Minnesota park passes
- Year-round vehicle permit — $35. Unlimited visits to every Minnesota state park and recreation area for 12 months from the month of purchase Details
- One-day vehicle permit — $7. One day, one vehicle Details
- Additional year-round vehicle permit — $26. Additional vehicles owned by a year-round permit holder Details
- Year-round motorcycle permit — $30. Motorcycle, 12 months Details
- One-day group permit — $5. Group vehicles, one day Details
From the Minnesota state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
No dogs
No pets.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive-in Sites 73 semi-modern sites — Fairly secluded, wooded sites located in one campground. Some sites remain open for winter camping. | 73 | ShowersRVs up to 60 feet | — |
| Electric Sites 45 sites — Two electric loops, in the same wooded campground as the non-electric sites. Fairly secluded. Some sites remain open for winter camping. | 45 | ElectricShowersRVs up to 60 feet | — |
| Backpack Sites 4 sites — All sites are between 0.75 miles and 1.4 miles over uneven hilly terrain from parking.
#BP1 is on Becky Lake and is a 0.7 mile hike.
#BP2 is on Blueberry Lake and a 1.1 mile hike.
#BP3 is on Blueberry Lake and a 1.2 mile hike.
#BP4 is on Blueberry Lake and a 1.4 mile hike.
#BP5 is on Bear Head Lake and is a 1.3 mile hike or a 0.85 mile paddle across the lake. | 4 | Showers | — |
| Canoe-in Sites Two sites — One campsite only accessible from the water. It is located on Bear Head Lake and a 1.3 mile paddle from the lake's boat access.
Backpack site #BP5 is also accessible by water via a 0.85 mile paddle from the Bear Head Lake boat access. | — | Showers | — |
| Group Camp Accommodates up to 50 people — The seasonal group camp is located on the east bay of Bear Head Lake and accommodates tents only. Hand pump for water. Vault toilet and bear-proof food lockers on site. Open through the end of September. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites — 73 semi-modern sites: Fairly secluded, wooded sites located in one campground. Some sites remain open for winter camping.
Electric Sites — 45 sites: Two electric loops, in the same wooded campground as the non-electric sites. Fairly secluded. Some sites remain open for winter camping.
RV Length Limit — 60 feet: Length measures from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites — 2: The campground has two accessible drive-in campsites. One accessible site has electric hookup.
Backpack Sites — 4 sites: All sites are between 0.75 miles and 1.4 miles over uneven hilly terrain from parking.
#BP1 is on Becky Lake and is a 0.7 mile hike.
#BP2 is on Blueberry Lake and a 1.1 mile hike.
#BP3 is on Blueberry Lake and a 1.2 mile hike.
#BP4 is on Blueberry Lake and a 1.4 mile hike.
#BP5 is on Bear Head Lake and is a 1.3 mile hike or a 0.85 mile paddle across the lake.
Canoe-in Sites — Two sites: One campsite only accessible from the water. It is located on Bear Head Lake and a 1.3 mile paddle from the lake's boat access.
Backpack site #BP5 is also accessible by water via a 0.85 mile paddle from the Bear Head Lake boat access.
Group Camp — Accommodates up to 50 people: The seasonal group camp is located on the east bay of Bear Head Lake and accommodates tents only. Hand pump for water. Vault toilet and bear-proof food lockers on site. Open through the end of September.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Camper Cabins: 2 unitsFive year-round cabins, two are accessible — Two accessible camper cabins sleep five, the other three cabins sleep six. All are located in the campground. No pets. Additional camping units not allowed. More about camper cabins.
- Guest House
Accessible Lodging — 2 accessible camper cabins
Camper Cabins — Five year-round cabins, two are accessible: Two accessible camper cabins sleep five, the other three cabins sleep six. All are located in the campground. No pets. Additional camping units not allowed. More about camper cabins.
Guest House: See guest house details
Guest House: See guest house details
Things to do
CampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingPicnickingSwimmingBoatingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking (summer) | 14 mi | — | 14 miles — Connects with the Taconite State Trail.Hiking |
| Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic (winter) | 4.9 mi | — | 4.9 miles — A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use groomed ski trails.Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic |
| Snowmobile (winter) | 4.5 mi | — | 4.5 miles — A 1 mile spur connects users to Taconite State Trail, giving trail users access to 165 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.Snowmobile |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Anywhere in park — Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except on trails groomed for skiing or snowmobiling. Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station.Snowshoe |
Trail descriptions from the park
Summer — Hiking — 14 miles: Connects with the Taconite State Trail.
Winter — Groomed Cross-Country Skiing Classic — 4.9 miles: A Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use groomed ski trails.
Winter — Snowmobile — 4.5 miles: A 1 mile spur connects users to Taconite State Trail, giving trail users access to 165 miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
Winter — Snowshoe — Anywhere in park: Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park, except on trails groomed for skiing or snowmobiling.
Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station.
Trail conditions: There are 12 miles of hiking trails in the park.
Swimming
Swimming Beach
Boating and paddling
Boat Access — Drive-in
Boat Docks
Canoe Access
Fishing
Fishing Pier — Accessible
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- EV charging
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Marina or boat slips
- Fishing pier
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
Accessibility
- Accessible cabins or lodging
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible cabins or lodging
Accessible Sites — 2: The campground has two accessible drive-in campsites. One accessible site has electric hookup.
Canoe-in Sites — Two sites: One campsite only accessible from the water. It is located on Bear Head Lake and a 1.3 mile paddle from the lake's boat access.
Backpack site #BP5 is also accessible by water via a 0.85 mile paddle from the Bear Head Lake boat access.
Accessible Lodging — 2 accessible camper cabins
Camper Cabins — Five year-round cabins, two are accessible: Two accessible camper cabins sleep five, the other three cabins sleep six. All are located in the campground. No pets. Additional camping units not allowed. More about camper cabins.
Showers — Accessible: Two shower buildings are located in the campground.
Flush Toilets — Accessible: Three modern restroom buildings, located in the campground.
Vault Toilets — Accessible: Available year-round. Located throughout the park.
Picnic Shelter — Accessible: Open shelter building with a great view. Call the park to reserve.
Fishing Pier — Accessible
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 9301 Bear Head State Park Road
Ely, MN 55731 - Nearest town
- Ely — about 11 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 47.8196, -92.0477
- Phone
- (218) 235-2520
- bearhead.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Take MN Highway 169 to County Highway 128. Follow this road south 7 miles to the park.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 4, 2026
- MN DNR A-Z list of state parks and recreation areas (park IDs in server-rendered <noscript> links) + state waysides page; details from the compass feature_detail JSON API used by park.html
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology