Bearhead State Park-

[8-Ball]

Hi all- Anyone out there familiar w/ the area posted? Is it an overly crowded area in Summer? Nice sites? Clean? How is the fishing and trail hiking? Thanks in advance...

[IFallsRon]

I haven't camped there but we've stopped to picnic and check it out for future use. There's plenty of lakes in and close to the park. Because it is more remote, I think it doesn't fill up fast. It was clean like most state parks. I think there's few electrical sites. And it's close to Lake Vermillion.

You can get additional information and maps here:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/bear_head_lake/index.html

[8-Ball]

Thanks for info-anyone else have any info..?

[RussDaBuss]

I camped up there 2 years ago.. AWESOME. We really liked it. We expected lots of mosquitoes but were hardly ANY!! weird but NICE. Some nice trails and we rented a canoe for the day. We were up there for 4 days and the last nite they got over 5 inches of rain. Let me tell ya, not a fun nite sleeping in a tent but oh well, not the campgrounds fault. You will like it. If you go and want to do something fun, go to Soudan State Park just south of there. The have a underground mine your. Was like 8 bucks. Well worth it.!! Have fun Like all MN state parks, was very clean and well maintained!!

[PaulB]

This park gets two thumbs up from me also. I've stayed there twice, once way back in '91, and again in 2000. Both times it was great. Not too crowded, sites a little more widely spaced than some other parks. Sand beach with an eagle's nest right there. Lake clean and pretty big. Can't say I caught many fish, but they had rental boats and canoes, if I recall. Not far from Ely, Tower-Soudan Mine was indeed cool (lots of bats in the elevator shaft!!!), a nice place I'll go back to someday soon.

[8-Ball]

Hey guys- thanks for all the great info. I had a feeling it looked like a good spot, just wanted some confirmation, which I definitely got! Has anyone ever rented the "camper cabin" at Bearhead? Thanks! 8-Ball.

[minndonn]

I would recommend getting reservations. It fills quite fast especially with one or two night stays. Lots of people going to the boundary waters. Both going and after the BWCA. Sites are nice and lake is beautiful. The eagle nest has been there for over 15 yeas I believe. We have tried to get sites several times and have not been able to. Also close to Tower Sudan mine state park. That is worth going to also, especially with the science experiments going on.

[8-Ball]

Thanks for info, Minn. I was able to book the camper cabin for the Mon-Wed. after Memorial Day. The rest of the summer is booked-nothing available until after Labor Day. Guess it is a good area to check out!

[RussDaBuss]

I must have missed something. Was it not, that before, you could only book out 3 months at the most with MN State Parks? Did that change?

[8-Ball]

Yep- it changed..you can book up to about a year in advance. Go on the DNR HSOforum and pull up state parks-go to reservations and all the info should be there.

[RussDaBuss]

Great, will have to check it out. Now just need to be even more prepared to know in advance to get something available...

[jbjr]

camp sites still have the 90 day window rule for reservations.

Lodging areas have a one year / 365 day window.

jb

[8-Ball]

Oops-sorry RDB- I thought it was the same window for cabins as it was for campsites... I got the last thing open for more than one day up at Bearhead. There were only 2 or 3 more single days available at that park for the camper cabin. Man it fills up quick- I can't wait...

[RussDaBuss]

AHHHHHHH OK ... Well anyway, You will like it. Like mentioned before, If you do not mind confined areas (the elevator going down) check out Soudan Mine!!

[8-Ball]

10-4.. I would like to see that...