Bear Paw Campground

Open — The campground accepts reservations year-round and is currently open. Sites can be reserved up to a year in advance through the Minnesota DNR reservation system.

About

Bear Paw Campground sits within Itasca State Park in Clearwater County, Minnesota, offering campers a premium camping experience in the state's oldest park. Established in 1891, the park encompasses over 32,000 acres and more than 100 lakes. The campground features 79 campsites, with the most desirable sites located on the edges near the water, particularly sites 65-70. Campers have easy access to the historic headwaters of the Mississippi River, where visitors can walk across the mighty river as it begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The campground is equipped with modern facilities including flush toilets and showers. WiFi is available throughout the campground area. Sites include fire rings with cooking grates and picnic tables. The park offers miles of bicycle trails, hiking paths, and numerous recreational opportunities including swimming and fishing. The campground is known for being harder to reserve than other campgrounds in the park due to its popularity and prime location near Lake Itasca.

Directions

From Park Rapids, head north on US-71 for approximately 20 miles, then follow signs to Itasca State Park. Bear Paw Campground is located within the park.

Nearby Campgrounds