Top Stops at Lake Bemidji State Park

Cruise the lake (Not available at this time.)

Photo of a naturalist led lake tour on the pontoon boat.

Hop aboard the park pontoon and explore Lake Bemidji from the water. Each week, naturalist-led pontoon tours take visitors on the water to explore the local history of the lake and the great Mississippi River. These are popular programs and can fill up fast, so advance registration is required.

Explore the bog

Photo of visitors using the Bog Walk with displays that highlight the bog’s hydrology, plant, and animal species.

The quarter-mile Bog Walk boardwalk will take you right into the unique conifer bog to uncover some of Minnesota’s most unusual plants – insect-eating pitcher plants, sphagnum moss and orchids, just to name a few. The interpretive displays along the boardwalk help you identify them. Allow an hour or two to explore, and note that there’s a one-mile hike to the boardwalk.

For additional information on the Bog Walk, read through this brochure .
Use this audio podcast as a trail guide to what you will see on your walk (21:25).

Play and swim

Photo of an ideal place for kids to play. The beach is not far, so plan an entire afternoon of fun.

Play and swim – what more do you need? A popular spot in the park — the playground — offers swings, slides, a spiral staircase, hand rings and more! The beach is just a short walk away. The long sandy shores are perfect for lounging on a summer day, and buoys mark off a swimming area away from boaters. You’ll find restrooms and a picnic area nearby.

Take in a show

Photo of the park amphitheater, tucked under the pines.

There are lots of programs and special events happening every day at the park, with something for all ages. The amphitheater provides the perfect outdoor venue for summer concerts, theater performances and campfire programs. Visit the naturalist programs and other activities page for a complete list or inquire at the park office.

Stop by the visitor center

Photo of the interior of the visitor center, with a glimps of a beaver lodge exhibit.

You’ll find the visitor center in the lower level of the park office. Kids will love watching the fish in the aquarium, climbing inside the life-size beaver lodge or checking out the touch-screen computer displays. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, the visitor center is a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.

Extra fun: Travel the Paul Bunyan State Trail

Photo of the paved trail segment above Big Bass Lake created from an old railroad grade.

Lake Bemidji State Park is the northern trailhead for the Paul Bunyan State Trail. At 112 paved miles (from Bemidji to Brainerd with a connection to Crow Wing State Park opening soon), this trail is one of the longest paved trails in the United States. The trail is also a geocacher’s paradise, with more than 40 geocaches within biking distance of the park. No bike? No problem! Bikes are available to rent in the City of Bemidji. Stop by the Visitor Center in the park for suggestions on family-friendly routes to explore.