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Minnesota
52

Minnesota State Parks

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Bear Head Lake State Park
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Bear Head Lake State Park Bear Head Lake Sunrise © Lucas Payne
Bear Head Lake State Park © Brian Powers Photography / CC BY-ND 2.0
Bear Head Lake State Park © Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Steam fog on Bear Head Lake during a chilly autumn sunset at Bear Head Lake State Park near Ely, Minnesota.
Bear Head Lake State Park © McGhiever / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Autumn dawn on Bear Head Lake, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota, USA
Bear Head Lake State Park © McGhiever / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rental watercraft on Bear Head Lake, Bear Head Lake State Park, Minnesota, USA
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BEAR HEAD LAKE STATE PARK
BEAR HEAD LAKE STATE PARK
9301 Bear Head State Park Road
Ely, Minnesota   55731

Phone: 218-365-7229
Toll Free: 888-646-6367
Reservations: 866-857-2757
Email: park email button icon
Secluded in the Northwoods, this park contains pristine lakes; it is home to black bears, nesting eagles, timber wolves and moose. Stands of white and red pine trees tower over the birch, aspen and fir trees. Located just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, the park shares a similar wilderness quality. Explore miles of shoreline by canoe. Swim at the beach, picnic in the shelter building, or fish for walleye, bass, crappies or trout. Trails in the park link-up with the Taconite State Trail and offer snowmobilers, skiers and hikers plenty to enjoy. Rent a three-bedroom guest house any season of the year.
Nature of the Area
This beautiful northern forest park is dotted with lakes that make it a canoeing and fishing paradise. The woods are made up of red and white pine, spruce, paper birch and fir on the highlands and tamarack, black spruce and white cedar on the lowlands. Small, clear trout lakes are set in a rugged terrain and give visitors a look at the type of scenic beauty that attracts so many visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) each year. The park is just south of BWCA access points.

Volcanoes and ancient seas produced the bedrock of the Bear Head Lake area. The bedrock of Ely greenstone and giants-range granite was scoured and gouged by glaciers. Eagles Nest and Bear Head Lakes, along with the park's rolling hills, were formed from the glacial action. Along the lakes and road cuts, visitors can see many different shapes and sizes of rock left by the glaciers.

The northern forest that surrounds 674-acre Bear Head Lake is home to a variety of wildlife. Hiking along trails and roads gives visitors an opportunity to discover white-tailed deer, black bear, moose, timber wolves, red squirrels, chipmunks and snowshoe hares. Also in the park, birdwatchers can spot red-breasted nuthatches, pine grosbeaks, red crossbills, boreal chickadees and bald eagles.
History of the Area
At the turn of the century, logging was the major activity around Bear Head Lake. In the early 1900s a sawmill was built on the south side of the lake which remained in operation until 1911. Between 1911 and 1913, several fires swept the area and consumed the forest inside the park boundary. After that, little was recorded about the area until 1961 when the Minnesota legislature created the park.
Swimming
1. Bear Head Lake State Park offers a designated swimming area on the lake's sandy beach.
2. There are no lifeguards, so swimmers swim at their own risk.
3. The park provides changing facilities and restrooms near the beach for convenience.
4. Swimming is also allowed in other parts of the lake outside of marked areas with caution advised due to boat traffic or natural hazards like rocks and logs under water surface.
5. For safety reasons, diving from cliffs around the lakeshore is not permitted within this state park.

Boating
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. There are boat rentals available including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards which allow you to explore the lake at your own pace. For those who prefer motorized boats, there is also a public access ramp provided by the Department of Natural Resources where personal watercrafts can be launched into Bear Head Lake. Fishing enthusiasts will find plenty of opportunities with walleye, northern pike and bass among others in abundance within these waters.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in a serene environment with options like shore, boat and ice fishing. Species include Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Bluegill. You can also find Crappie and Yellow Perch here. Boat rentals are available for those without their own equipment.



Picnicking
Bear Head Lake State Park offers picnic tables, fire rings and grills. Picnic shelters are also available for larger groups.
Bicycling
In this northern Minnesota location, biking options are abundant. However, caution is advised due to the park's rugged terrain.

The Taconite State Trail offers a 165-mile route for bikers but requires careful navigation because of its uneven surfaces.

For those seeking less challenging rides, there are several paved trails suitable for all skill levels within the vicinity.

Mountain bike enthusiasts can explore numerous off-road paths that wind through dense forests and around lakes - remember safety gear!

Please note: some routes may be shared with hikers or horseback riders; always respect other trail users' rights-of-way.

During winter months, fat tire biking becomes popular on snow-packed trails - ensure you're adequately prepared for cold conditions!
Birding
The park offers birding opportunities with over 100 species, including warblers and loons. Bird checklists are available.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
April 22 Childhood memories
park review stars; one to five Enjoyed this family friendly park many years ago.
September 7 Great park!
park review stars; one to five Loved this park!
October 30 A great place for families and beginners by farnsworth
park review stars; one to five If you want to take your family backpacking or you are just starting off backpacking this is the spot for you. It has 100 car camping sites some with electric and all close to showers. The backpack sites and the 2 canoe boat in sites are what i like. they are an easy hike and you can not hear any noise from the camp ground so it feels like you are way back in the woods. I also found an interactive map on the campsites which is at the link below that is the reason i ended up going. http://generation-outdoors.com/gobeta807/node/544
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Directions
From the town of Tower, go east on U.S. Highway 169, 9 miles to St. Louis County Highway 128. Take Highway 128 south 7 miles to the contact station.

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Minnesota
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Minnesota State Parks

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