Bear Head Lake State Park
Bear Head Lake State Park
4.5
About
The park's namesake 674-acre lake is a prime spot for eyeing wildlife.
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The area
Address
9301 Bear Head State Park Rd, Ely, MN 55731-8037
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1 within 10 kms

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles138 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
40
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
5

Kayla M
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2023 • Couples
We had an amazing time! We got engaged at the end of the lake walking path. We saw a large male black bear and the next day we saw a mom and cub! It was the best camping trip so far!
Written 24 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kate N
111 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This lake has a lot to do. There is hiking, swimming, camping, fishing, and boat rentals. The water is clear and warm. We did see some pretty big snapping turtles over by the boat ramp that were fun to watch!
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gary c
Minneapolis, MN42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022 • Couples
We stayed here 6 nights and had a great time! We rented Kayaks and spent a day on this beautiful lake! Trails are amazing and Ely is not that far away, fun little town to spend some time on a rainy day.
Written 8 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kimberly A
Minneapolis, MN72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Located outside of Ely, MN, a launching spot for BWCA adventures, Bearhead offers lakes and hikes in the great north woods of Minnesota. The group site provides privacy for your group on a beautiful lake. If the weather is unfavorable, head towards Ely to go the Bear Center, Wolf Center, and Dorothy Molter Museum for indoor activities.
Written 20 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mkw06
Rochester, MN55 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Family
Had amazing time snow shoeing on Norberg Lake trail. Trails was beautiful and well marked. Parked off main road before getting to park office. If you don’t have a state park sticker- easy to pay online.
Written 2 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nancy V
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Beautiful, and well-maintained park. Excellent picnic area and beach. Easy canoe rental and beautiful lake. Definitely will return. Excellent hiking as well.
Written 6 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

seetheworld010
Sedona, AZ1,146 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Not well marked and over grown but if you have Alltrails it will help tremendously. Quiet back in the woods.
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angela N
New Ulm, MN48 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Family
This is a FANTASTIC State Park if you have a small camper or are a tenting kind of person. Great fishing (lots of small docks to cast from), swimming (what a nice sandy rocky beach!!!!), paddling, and crayfish snorkeling. We saw tons of deer, chipmunks, and loons. And you just can’t go wrong being in northern MN air.

The location also couldn’t be better. From here we took day trips to the Soudan Mine and Ely and were back in time to fish at night.

One thing to note: The campsites were very small. We had site 68 which had great spots for hammocks and clothes lines, but if we were up here with friends they would not have fit around the fire ring (although, we couldn’t have fires). When we return we will probably go for site 69 which was much bigger.
Written 12 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

may2802
Otsego, MN23 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
This Park has camping, fishing, a swimming beach, and some hiking trails. Speed limit is 10 on the lake. Camping sites are close to each other and wooded. Trail center is newer and really nice. Swimming beach is also nice, Sandy and water looks clean.
Written 5 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl D
Minneapolis, MN89 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021 • Couples
There’s a reason Bear Head State Park was voted beat campground in America in 2010. With beautiful tall pines, the state park is surrounded by the peaceful Bear Head Lake. Bring your kayak, paddle boat or fishing boat and enjoy the water. Don’t have one? No problem rent one for the day. We rented a fishing boat with an electric motor for $45/day. There are several docks that campers can use to tie up their boats or just sit and enjoy the view. Enjoy the miles of hiking trails.
Rain day? No problem, the charming town of Ely is 30 minutes away with things to do. Cute shops, restaurants, movie theater or visit the wolf or Bear center.
Note: There is only a few campsites that have peaks of the water.
Check out this Northern Minnesota wonderland, you won’t be disappointed.
Written 14 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Bear Head Lake State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Head Lake State Park