Big Bog State Recreation Area
- 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
- 58 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- dnr.state.mn.us(218) 888-7310
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Water quality Use caution on the Tamarac RiverPlease use caution when navigating the Tamarac River channel onto Upper Red Lake. Low water levels are creating challenges for boat travel through… (more)
Please use caution when navigating the Tamarac River channel onto Upper Red Lake. Low water levels are creating challenges for boat travel through the channel
Posted by the park 2026-09-04. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 9,128 acres, Big Bog State Recreation Area lies in Beltrami County, about 50 miles north of Bemidji.
Things to do include horseback riding, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, and boating. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and a fishing pier. For overnight stays there are 58 campsites across 3 camping areas (RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, 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. | — |
| Office | Mon–Fri | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | — |
| Sat | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | — | |
| Park | Open 24 hours | ||
Official wording
Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday CLOSED
Campground has 31 drive-in campsites. These campsites can be reserved through the state park centralized reservation service. Camping is available year-round.
Electric sites: Big Bog has 26 electric sites. Buildings: Visitor Center and Nature Store are open during ranger station hours. Fire tower is closed during winter months. Trails: All trails are open. Dump station: There is no dump station in the park but one is available locally, within 1/2 mile of the park. It is closed during the winter months. Drinking water: Drinking water is available year-round at the park maintenance building. Bathrooms: Flush toilets in the campground are CLOSED. A family-style restroom/shower is open 24/7 at the Visitor Center. Flush toilets inside the Visitor Center are open during visitor center hours. Water: Showers and flush toilets in the campground are CLOSED for the season. A family-style shower/restroom is open at the Visitor Center. Campgrounds: Campground has 31 drive-in campsites. These campsites can be reserved through the state park centralized reservation service. Camping is available year-round. Showers: A family-style shower/restroom is open 24/7 at the Visitor Center. Showers in the campground are CLOSED.
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
- Camping
- Not required
- Booking system
- Reserve MN (US eDirect)
- Phone
- 866-857-2757
There are many docks located in the campground area, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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 31 sites — The campground is located along the Tamarac River, just a short distance from Upper Red Lake. There are many docks located in the campground area, available on a first-come, first-served basis. | 31 | ShowersRVs up to 60 feet | — |
| Pull-Through Sites 1 site | 1 | Showers | — |
| Electric Sites 26 sites — All sites are within 100 yards of the Tamarac River. | 26 | ElectricShowersRVs up to 60 feet | — |
Camping details from the park
Drive-in Sites — 31 sites: The campground is located along the Tamarac River, just a short distance from Upper Red Lake. There are many docks located in the campground area, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pull-Through Sites — 1 site
Electric Sites — 26 sites: All sites are within 100 yards of the Tamarac River.
RV Length Limit — 60 feet: Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Accessible Sites — Two accessible sites, both electric
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Camper Cabins: 6 unitsSix camper cabins available year-round — Six rustic camper cabins are available year-round in the southern unit. Camper cabin #1 is accessible. Electricity, propane heat. Bring your own bedding. No indoor plumbing; cabins are near vault toilets that are open all year, and a family-style modern shower/restroom is available year-round at the visitor center. In the summer, visitors may also use the seasonal shower building in the campground. No pets. More information on camper cabins.
Accessible Lodging — 1 accessible camper cabin
Camper Cabins — Six camper cabins available year-round: Six rustic camper cabins are available year-round in the southern unit. Camper cabin #1 is accessible.
Electricity, propane heat. Bring your own bedding. No indoor plumbing; cabins are near vault toilets that are open all year, and a family-style modern shower/restroom is available year-round at the visitor center. In the summer, visitors may also use the seasonal shower building in the campground. No pets.
More information on camper cabins.
More information on camper cabins.
Things to do
FishingCampingSwimmingWildlife viewing and birdingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingHorseback ridingBoatingCanoeing and kayaking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snowmobile (winter) | 10 mi | — | 10 miles — Part of the state grant-in-aid trail system.Snowmobile |
| Snowshoe (winter) | — | — | Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park and along the Big Bog Boardwalk. Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station.Snowshoe |
| Accessible (summer) | 1 mi | — | 1 mile — The one-mile boardwalk is accessible.AccessibleAccessible |
| Hiking (summer) | 4.5 mi | — | 4.5 miles — Trails begin in the picnic areas in both units of the park.Hiking |
| Boardwalk (summer) | — | — | Accessible — One mile long through the peat bog, located in the Northern Unit.BoardwalkAccessible |
Trail descriptions from the park
Winter — Snowmobile — 10 miles: Part of the state grant-in-aid trail system.
Winter — Snowshoe: Snowshoeing is permitted anywhere in the park and along the Big Bog Boardwalk.
Snowshoes are available to rent from the ranger station.
Summer — Accessible — 1 mile: The one-mile boardwalk is accessible.
Summer — Hiking — 4.5 miles: Trails begin in the picnic areas in both units of the park.
Summer — Boardwalk — Accessible: One mile long through the peat bog, located in the Northern Unit.
Trail conditions: All trails are open.
Swimming
Swimming Beach: Sandy, shallow beach just west of the campground on Upper Red Lake. Ideal for children.
Boating and paddling
Boat Access — Drive-in access: Located in the campground on the Tamarac River.
Boat Docks — On the Tamarac River: Multiple docks are located in the campground area and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Canoe Access — Seven access points on the Tamarac River: Great canoeing with good wildlife viewing.
Fishing
Fishing — Upper Red Lake: Fishing is excellent year-round, but especially good in the spring. Walleye and trophy northern pike are plentiful on Upper Red Lake and the Tamarac River. Shorefishing for panfish is also available at Ludlow Pond in the North Unit.
Fishing Pier — Southern unit on Tamarac River: The pier is accessible.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- EV charging
Water
- Swimming beach
- Marina or boat slips
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
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
Visitor Center: Accessible restrooms, interpretive exhibits, and a Nature Store.
Accessible Sites — Two accessible sites, both electric
Accessible Lodging — 1 accessible camper cabin
Camper Cabins — Six camper cabins available year-round: Six rustic camper cabins are available year-round in the southern unit. Camper cabin #1 is accessible.
Electricity, propane heat. Bring your own bedding. No indoor plumbing; cabins are near vault toilets that are open all year, and a family-style modern shower/restroom is available year-round at the visitor center. In the summer, visitors may also use the seasonal shower building in the campground. No pets.
More information on camper cabins.
Showers — Accessible: Located in the campground and visitor center.
Read more from the park
Flush Toilets — Accessible: Located in the campground and visitor center.
Picnic Shelter — Accessible: Two open-sided shelters. One is in the picnic area on Upper Red Lake just a few hundred yards from the campground, and the other is in the Northern Unit near the Big Bog Boardwalk.
Fishing Pier — Southern unit on Tamarac River: The pier is accessible.
Other — Accessible: A fish cleaning house is located in the campground.
Accessible — 1 mile: The one-mile boardwalk is accessible.
Boardwalk — Accessible: One mile long through the peat bog, located in the Northern Unit.
All-Terrain Track Chair: The park has an all-terrain, electric powered chair that may be used on designated trails within the park.
- Reserve the chair
- Learn more about track chairs
Color Vision Glasses: The park has glasses available that help many people with red-green color deficiencies see colors outdoors! First come, first served - stop by the ranger station to borrow a pair.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- P.O. Box 428, 55716 Highway 72 NE
Waskish, MN 56685 - Nearest town
- Bemidji — about 50 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 48.1708, -94.5127
- Phone
- (218) 888-7310
- bigbog.statepark@state.mn.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Located on Highway 72, just north of the town of Waskish.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Minnesota State Parks and Trails — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 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