Bear Head Lake State Park Minnesota Review

Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota is beyond gorgeous! This park was a highlight of the entire trip during July. Northern Minnesota was such a unique place and I wasn’t expecting to be taken aback by the beauty. There were many times in the park I thought I was living in a LL Bean magazine. Kayaking, fishing, hikes, and tall trees were an environment I’ve never enjoyed. It was really breathtaking honestly. You should go see this national favorite state park!

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Pros

  • Gorgeous solitude
  • Many outdoor activities like fishing
  • Lots of camping options

Cons

  • Close campsites
  • Very busy

Things to Do at Bear Head Lake State Park Minnesota

The state park’s main attraction is the 600-acre lake on the southern portion of the park. Boating, canoeing, and kayaking are very popular evening activities on that lake. There are several trails that track along the lake for high views of the lake. Norberg Lake Loop Trail is a very popular 3-mile loop from the trail center parking lot. The campground is also a large element in the park. There are several rows and bathrooms for this very large campground.

a green pine forest with a narrow dirt trail though the forest for norberg trail
A portion of the Norberg Lake Loop Trail.

There are several amenities for boating and fishing. There’s a fish cleaning shack. Plenty of space for boating on the lake is available. The campsite and park are really centered around the lake and boating activities. Several people in the campground did talk about visiting neighboring lakes all around northern Minnesota and the Boundary Water area.

a clear lake with green forest surrounding norberg lake minnesota
The placid Norberg Lake in Bear Head Lake State Park.

Around the Area

The state park is located in northern Minnesota. It’s near Ely, MN, Superior National Forest, and the Boundary Water Canoe Wilderness. There’s so much to do in the nearby vicinity and plenty of people travel to those areas from the state park.

a deer standing on a country gravel road with green pine forest along the edges of the road in bear head lake state park minnesota
A deer standing on the road in Bear Head Lake State Park Minnesota.

There are also hunting opportunities in the surrounding state and national forests. Lake Vermilion is another major attraction near the park. There’s ample fishing, swimming, and camping around that lake too.

Area Hospital

Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital is one option and is located here. Here are the emergency room services. Make sure you investigate options for your specific needs.

Area Veternarian

The nearest vet is located here. This place seems to have normal business hours. The nearest emergency services are located in Virginia, here. Here are the services offered.

Bear Head Lake State Park Rankings

Bathrooms

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Modern bathrooms and showers in the campground. They were maintained and clean.

Campsite

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The campsites are well maintained but they are close. I didn’t have any noise issues while I was there and the people were friendly. There are also cabin and tent options too.

Activities

Rating: 4 out of 5.

The park has more than enough to fill up a long weekend with swimming, fishing, canoeing, boating, and hiking.

Location

Rating: 5 out of 5.

The state park and local area are full of surprises and opportunities to explore! Go see the national forest and boundary waters. You won’t regret it.

Visible Cell Service by Verizon

Rating: 1 out of 5.

I had one bar in the campsite and could call and text but not much more.

Conclusion

Bear Head Lake State Park is a must-see park! It’s in a unique place and well placed to be a stepping stone to other exciting parks and destinations or stay for a long weekend at the park itself. Bear Head is something that you or your family will forget anytime soon after stopping there and exploring. So get moving to the great north!

Are dogs allowed at Bear Head Lake State Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed in most outdoor places but are not allowed in park buildings and cabins. Please see the official website for more specifics.

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