Bear Head Lake Campground

Open — Open year-round with sites available for reservation. Showers are available seasonally during warmer months.

About

Bear Head Lake State Park Campground is a secluded wilderness retreat in Minnesota's North Woods, offering 73 back-in campsites suitable for both tents and RVs. The campground features 45 sites with electrical hookups and convenient water taps, while 28 sites are non-electric. All sites are wooded and spacious, providing privacy among the birch, aspen, and towering pine trees. The campground includes seasonally-available shower buildings, flush toilets, a dump station, and a fish cleaning shack for anglers. Located just 17 miles from Ely and south of the legendary Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the park shares a similar wilderness character with opportunities to encounter black bears, nesting eagles, timber wolves, and moose. The park encompasses multiple pristine lakes including Bear Head Lake, Norberg Lake, and Cub Lake, with the latter two designated as trout lakes. A sandy swimming beach, fishing pier, and boat launches provide water access, while 17 miles of trails wind through the park for hiking, and 9 miles are groomed for cross-country skiing in winter. Beyond the main campground, the park offers five heated camper cabins, a 50-person group camp with commanding views of Bear Head Lake's east bay, four remote backpack campsites near Blueberry Lake, and two canoe-in sites for those seeking maximum solitude. The park's backcountry sites feature fire pits and latrines, providing a true wilderness camping experience in this corner of northern Minnesota.

Directions

From Tower, drive east on U.S. Highway 169 for 9 miles, then turn south onto St. Louis County Highway 128 and continue for 7 miles to the park entrance.

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