Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park

Bear Paw is one of two main campgrounds and the one closest to Lake Itasca. Sites are spaced a good distance apart but most are back to back so limited privacy. Bathrooms were very clean but no hooks. Wide paved (some boardwalk) bike paths but not as good for hiking. Unpaved trails are not accessible from the campground on foot. Driving along Wilderness Drive (or biking it) is beautiful, especially in the fall. A visit to the Headwaters is also a must (we walked on the paved bike path to get there; it is closer to Pine Ridge campground). There is a gift shop and small cafe there (food is expensive and mediocre). Large park and very beautiful and well maintained roads and bike path. Very limited cell service (Verizon).

Great for biking

Had a great time at this campsite. There is a bike trail that goes around half the lake. Saw some deer, ducks, eagles and lots of loons on the lake. The restrooms were spotless. There is a shack that rents out kayaks, canoes, bikes and fishing gear. We took out a canoe and caught a few panfish.  



Beautiful fall colors

The overall cleanliness of the park and it's trails and facilities was fantastic. But camping was to cramped and it seemed like I could never find a spot away from everyone. Still a very fun and cool campground full of lots of history and recreation.

Weekend trip. Very poular

What a great place to bring the family. Large campground, lots of paved and unpaved trails with a rental place right on Lake Itasca where you can rent all types of bikes for all ages, they also have boats and pontoons available for fishing and recreational use. You have miles of trails and some historical sites to explore. This place has you covered for activities. Well kept and easy access.

Headwaters area has it all

This was our first week long stay at a campground. We had so much fun and left with a list of things we wanted to do next year. The lakes are quiet and peaceful with easy access for kayaks/canoes from Bearpaw campground. There are great biking trails that will lead you through the park to the Mississippi Headwaters. There is also a beach where you can rent bikes, boats and kayaks. This park has miles of hiking trails that we have yet to do.

The campgrounds themselves were a nice size. We had a lake front lot and really enjoyed the view and easy access to the lake and bike trails. The bathrooms were big and clean. Bring your bug spray--the horseflys are huge!

Great family campground

The campground was very big and nice. It had good, clean modern bathrooms and showers. Our campsite wasn't far from hiking and biking trails. We biked to the mouth of the Mississippi River which was super cool to see. The interpretive center had a lot of animals and was informative.

Fun state park!

The Bear Paw campground is one of two main traditional drive-in campgrounds at Lake Itasca State Park. It is the lakeside campground, as opposed to the Pine Ridge campsites which are set about a mile back into the woods. This campground has trailer sites with hook-ups, tent sites, walk-in sites, and camper cabins, for a variety of options. Althought there is a staircase access to a bay of the lake here, the swimming beach and boat launch areas are actually several miles to the north, either driveable on the main park drive, or bikeable on the bike path that runs through the campground and north to the headwaters or south to Douglas Lodge.

The campground is heavily wooded, but the sites are many and close together. It is an economical way of staying at the park, and good for car camping or trailering while doing other activities in the park, but there are other higher quality camping options available in the park if you want a more remote northwoods expereince which can be obtained by hiking in to the wilderness areas on the south end of the park.

At this location, however, there are several primo lakeside campsites, if you can nab one, such as site 6, which is right on the lake and right on the bike path. There are some walk-in only tent sites on the north side of this campground that are a little quieter as well. The camper cabins on the south side of the campground are also super nice if you arent up for tenting.

The campground has wood for sale, showers and regular bathrooms as well as pit toilets, a playground for kids, and water pumps.

Bear Paw campground at Itasca


Tis campground is beautiful. Bring your bike because everything to see and do is quite a hike if you walk. There are a lot of trails that are perfect for biking. Wish we could spend more time here. Will definitely go back sometime.

Bring a bike

Unfortunately we were completely rained out for most of our trip but we were able to enjoy some of it! We went to the head waters right away in the morning which was amazing since there was hardly anyone there. The only down fall was the gift shop and cafe were not open. We can back later to enjoy the gift shop and had some pizza at the cafe. it was as pouring rain while we went and it was still busy so I can’t imagine how bad it would be on a normal Saturday! 

We camped at site 232 and I wouldn’t reccomend the site unless you had small tent. It was a small site and had a weird slope down with a clearing. Not sure what it was for. 

Drive slowly people drive like maniacs!

huge park with tons to do!

My husband, toddler and I spent two nights at the park. The Park Rangers were kind and helpful. Our site was clean and the campground was quiet. We were pleased after our last camping experience a weekend prior in Northern Minnesota to find that Itasca Park has less mosquitos and we didn’t see any ticks. The rental facility was great and reasonably priced. We were able to rent a baby carrier for our bikes and rode their 17 mil paved loop which took us to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, a fire tower among other sites. We then were able to rent a canoe and venture out on to Lake Itasca. We were really pleased with our stay there and would recommend it. 

Pros: kid friendly, lots to do, not crowded (mid week, late June) 

Cons: no mountain bike trails

Quiet and lots to do

I really like Itasca state park- I just wish that it were closer to me! The paved trail from the visitor center to the headwaters is in incredible shape- I regret not bringing roller blades. One of the most important things to know for avid hikers is that it seems like most park visitors are there to relax and maybe do the one paved trail, which leaves a lot of the trails overgrown. We were able to take the trail to the fire tower which was nice. There was an attempt to take a trail that seemed like it would have a nice view of one of the smaller lakes that you pass as you drive in, but it was extremely over grown and there were no real clear views of the lake from the trail. The lake is amazing for swimming- there are also rentals for canoes, kayaks, and bikes.

I absolutely loved the on-site restaurant- wild rice pancakes were phenomenal and the view is great. We stayed at a cart-in site at Bearpaw campground and our friends rented one of the nearby Bearpaw cabins. The site was nice and private enough, but a huge storm came through at night (so much lightning that my husband and I could see each other for around a solid minute) came through on the second night and we had to retreat to our car to avoid being smooshed by a tree. The cabin was nice and cozy- it had a tiny kitchen that was sufficient enough for a few meals but definitely plan on bringing your own kitchen tools in case they don't have what you need.

Very nice

We started the 2019 camping season early and spent the first weekend in May exploring Itasca State Park. We parked at the trailhead near Lake Josephine and took the Red Pine Trail about three miles to our site. We were happy to find BP5 as quiet and secluded as it appeared on the map, and not nearly as close to other sites as some of the other remote options.

The best part about the site is easily the stunning view of Mckay Lake, where we saw a beautiful sunset and sunrise. We also appreciated the bench, vault toilet, and rope left to hang our bear bag. The clearing fit our two tents easily. Overall, a great site if you're craving some distance from the grind for a while.

Beautiful and secluded (McKay Lake) 

Great place to see and visit! Lots of opportunities to photograph! Enjoyed geocaching as well.

Headwaters of the Mississippi River

In my Top 3  so much to do and see here!

Stayed at site #2, which is one of the more private sites. Spacious, picnic table and fire ring, several set of trees suitable for hammocks. Vault toilet a few steps away, flush toilets and showers a short walk away. Did a small amount of hiking, but there are extensive trails. Breathtaking views of several lakes and old growth pines throughout the park.

Perfect August Evening 

I stayed at BP#5, just on McKay Lake. It was beautiful and peaceful. The site is small. I had trouble finding space for my 4-man tent. There was no space for table and couldn't find a greatly spaced set of trees for a hammock. I was able to pitch very close to the fire pit (almost on top of it), because there was a fire ban in place and I wasn't going to be using it. Even though the space was so limited, it was far enough away from other sites, from the main trails, and from all roads that all you hear is the wind in the trees, the critters in the bush, and your own breathing. Picture perfect sunset. Lake is very cool and swimming is great! Stay away from the mush around the shore as there are leeches.

Peaceful and Beautiful

One of the Greatest MN State Parks - put it on your list!  I'll try to keep comments brief here, but pictures/descriptions plentiful.  We chose Bear Paw campground to be walkable to the water.  Highly recommend Site 2 for nice privacy, walkable proximity to water, close to pit toilet and extra parking.  After exploring Pine Ridge Camp by car, we did find other more private camp sites, but we were quite happy in Bear Paw.

  

To do:

 - walk to hidden beach

 - short drivable drop in for kayaks

 - rent a pontoon at Itasca Sports

 - walk the headwaters (and geocache!)

 - bike on LOVELY paths, thru UofM research area, to headwaters, etc

 - visit Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center for a GREAT interpretive museum (really quite good)

 - have an early dinner and explore around at Douglas Lodge

 - explore short or long hikes in the park, many short walks accessible from Wilderness Drive include the biggest old red and white pines

 - climb the fire tower for incredible views (NOT ME!!!)

 - explore many other historic sites from pioneer days in the area

5 Nights 5 Stars - Minnesota Bucket List

Beautiful sights from your tent site, walk in or camper, walk, drive, or bike to either the visitors center or the Mississippi Headwaters area and see yourself on the live Webcam at the Lake Itasca MN DNR Website. Yes and the fall colors and the nights sky is amazing as well. 

Easily accessible

A great spot for fall camping! This spot was a close walk to the primitive toilet and offered a great view of the lake. This site offered a picnic table and fire ring. Some sites had electrical hookups, but I stayed at a tent spot. Pulling into the parking spot for each site was difficult, so patience is required. I saw a raccoon at my site in the middle of the night when taking a bathroom break and was glad my food was safely stowed in my car. Overall great spot for fall camping!

Fall Camping

Beautiful State Park. Cleanest bathrooms! And bathroom is a log cabin which is cool. Haven’t explored yet but there are lots of trails. We are in Bear Paw campground spot 2. Very spacious and private, not looking at lake, but like the woods around us.

Head waters of Mississippi 

I love this park! We try to go at least once a year. Great facilities at the campgrounds- bear paw is probably best, it’s right on the lake and more spread out, but pine ridge is fine too. The park has awesome hiking, lots of things to do, and great rentals for fun on the lake. Do not miss!