Best Glamping near Bemidji, MN

The Lake Bemidji State Park is situated right on the shore of Lake Bemidji. Many people come for the day to use the beach, playground, and BBQ grills, but I'd highly suggest planning a trail excursion. Take your bike on the Paul Bunyan Trail that almost loops the entire lake, or take a hike or run on the wooded trails around the park to explore the bogs. This wooded park is beautiful in the summer, fall, and even winter.

CAMPGROUND REVIEW

Itasca State Park is a primo destination in northern Minnesota for folks interested in exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are several campgrounds, group camps, cabins and lodge accomodations in the park that suit most visitors. But for folks who want a wilderness experience while at the headwaters, there are miles of wilderness trails in the backcountry area on the southern end of the park—and there are campsites and Adirondack shelters scattered throughout the myriad glacial lakes of this backcountry, enough so that you could backpack by foot or on snowshoes or cross country skis for a week through the territory, staying at a different lakes every night. April in Minnesota means we are still winter camping—but despite the snow, the sun is bright and warm, and it is great to get out into it. The park is at its peak of solitude in the winter, but if you can find a way to get to a campsite, they are open and reservable. This review is for Remote Campsite 11, located on an isthmus between Coffee Break Lake and Deer Park Lake. It is a several mile hike in from the nearest parking areas, either via Mary Kake and the Ozawindib Trail, or via the Deer Park Trail from Douglas Lodge. The trail is rolling and maintained for cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowhikers in the winter. This campsite is located just past the Ozawindib Adirondack Shelter, which is a good backup if its too windy or cold at the campsite. The campsite itself is down a hill by the lakeshore, between two lakes actually, on a rise that overlooks both. There is an additional campsite nearby on the south end of Deer Park Lake, campsite 10. There is a tent pad sheltered under the tall pines (and currently under the snow!) as well as a fire ring and an outhouse. There is no water provided, but a large bucket is available, so you can get lake water and filter it, or melt snow or bring your own. This is a great location for folks who like winter camping as the trek in is only a few miles, I was able to do it easily carrying a backpack of gear on my back, and a front pack with my dog when she got tired if trudging through the snow. And of course it is an easy hike in during the milder snow-free seasons. The site is scenic, pristine, and largely sheltered from the wind. The vista north over Coffee Break Lake would be awesome for viewing northern lights, this is a dark sky part of the park. It can get a little muddy in the transition season, including around the campfire area, so we hung out at the Adirondack shelter nearby and did our cooking there.

To see a map and reserve a back country campsite at Itasca, check this link:

https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/Facilities/AdvanceSearch.aspx

For more info on Remote Camping in Minnesota State Parks, see this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html

For general info on Itasca State Park, go to the homepage: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

PRODUCT REVIEW

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I ocasionally get camping products to test out. Today I am testing Mountain House Southwest Breakfast Hash https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/spicy-southwest-breakfast-hash.html

Mountain House makes lightwieght, freeze-dried trail meals that are "cooked" in their own pouches using only boiling water. The sealed pouches are durable and lightwieght to carry, and the no-fuss no-muss prep of adding boiling water and letting it stand for 4 minutes in the re-sealable pouch is really easy. Since I was carrying my gear on my back, and carrying my tired little dog in a front pack carrier, I certainly didnt want to have extra weight! But these meal pouches are so light you hardly know you are carrying them. This pouch of SW breakfast hash had more than enough for two people plus some leftover for the dog, we served it up on tortillas that we had also packed, but you could eat it straight up. The hash featured beans, corn, potatoes, veggies and shredded beef for a well rounded complete meal as is, but you could extend the servings by scrambling it with eggs to dish up for a larger group. The taste and texture were surprisingly good, tasty without being too spicy, and I would defintiely buy this again. See our video review at https://youtu.be/nB9lBmjUsqU

We stayed at Camp Ground for 3 days. Short way to a beautifull Beach on the lake Bemidji. Very nice Bike trails. We made a Bike Tour around the lake and visit the beautifull downtown. The privacy between the Campsites is not so good. Thats why 4 Stars

We just got back from Lake Bemidji, it was ok. The amenities were great, and there was a sandy beach for swimming and watching the sunset. My only/biggest complaint is that the sites have no privacy and they don't separate tent and camper camping. We had a great view until our neighbors came with their trailer taking away from the experience.

 Lake Bemidji State Park Campground is right on the lake. Bring your boat or rent one. The paved Paul Bunyan trail is waiting for a bicycle adventure. A variety of hiking trails can also be found. 

I happened to arrive the weekend of the Lake Bemidji bike tour. The park rangers were helpful and quickly filled me in on things to do. Many bicycles came through on Saturday- at least until the rain came. This was the weekend of the ride around the lake - perhaps because it was Father’s Day? I had to make reservations but most of the campground was empty. The sites are close together but the forecast for rain must have kept people away because I felt like there was plenty of space. 

My first time in the restroom found hundreds of flies and backed up toilets. This was remedied by the next day and it was well kept for the rest of my stay. The one central shower house was used throughout the day as people finished swimming. There are group sites available as well as accessible sites. There were a number of organized events that covered a variety of interests. 

I hiked the logging trail with my dog and found a dozen ticks before we finished. We kept to the paved Paul Bunyan trail after that and didn’t find any more. A bike would be nice to ride the short distance into town. 

We spend some of the rainy day in the beautiful town of Bemidji. A clean laundromat was followed up by a cool food co-op. Bill’s Base Camp was the best find. Bill started this outdoor store a year ago and has quality stuff. He spent time talking with me about possible places to go to next. 

I picked this place at random on the Dyrt app. I’m glad I found it. A rough beginning turned into a pleasant stay.

I don't remember much about the actual campsite itself, but I remember the amazing wildlife I saw. Such a beautiful place to visit. So many pitcher plants!

Like any other state park in MN, firewood is available for purchase at the office where you'd check in. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table.

Bemidji is a short drive away and there are plenty of places to check out there!

If easy camping is what you're looking for, this is it. Our 15X15 tent fit in their listed 12X12 spot. Built in grill on fire rings with park bench and table. Potable water available to everyone. Perfect cell reception as it's eyesight to the city of Bemidji. Self serve wood and ice when office is closed. Even a vending machine. Amazing showers for a camp ground, bathrooms ok and clean. If you want to get away while still being in easy driving range of city. Hiking trails are quite a walk but easy and cleared. Beach, dock, sand volleyball court. Some outdoor showers also available but they were buggy when we went mid July.

Lake Bemidji State Park is one of the best places in Bemidji to visit for a day trip, and is also a woodsy economical place to stay if vacationing in the area. The park is an oasis of well preserved old growth northwoods forest, which you can experience on foot or by bike on miles of trails along the lake, into the woods, and on boardwalks into the bogs. There are naturalist programs, boat and bike rentals, and easy access into town. There are good showers and bathrooms, and a nice beach. It is a very family-friendly opportunity. That being said, though the park itself rates 5 out of 5, the camping options only rank a 4 for the most part. As previous reviewers have mentioned, if a high-quality secluded tent camping experience is what you are after, this is not it. The majority of the campsites are extremely small and very close together with no privacy. There is a canopy of tall trees shading the campground, but most sites are open and dont have much vegetation to screen between sites. If experiencing the northwoods is your main goal, the location and access is great, especially if you are rv or trailer camping. However, if you want something a little more secluded, there are several options: reserve campsites in the loop furthest from the lake (sites in the 90's) as they are much larger sites and very wooded compared to the loops closer to the lake, though be aware they are best for tenting, dont have electric hookouts and have a bit of a walk to get water or showers etc. Some additional "off the beaten path" options at the park are their new camper cabins, located off on their own near the trailhead for the bogwalk trail, and also the group camps. There is one large group campsite, the Lavinia group site, that is completely off on its own away from the campground, and would be perfect for scout groups, family reunions etc. It would host quite a large group, but group would have privacy from the rest of the campground. The other older group campsite is also located away from the main campground, though right at the trailhead for the bike path; though the campsite itself is very scenic and beautiful, and a perfect setting for a small group, it would have passing trail traffic during the day which is something to consider.

Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer. The park is very quiet and lightly used in winter, but wow, its the best time of year! The paths to famous spots like the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the visitor centers are plowed and maintained, and there are myriad groomed trails from cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A lot of people go ice fishing too. There is not a big demand for camping so mist if the campsites are closed, but Pine Ridge does maintain a selection of campsites with hookups for those who do want to venture forth. The campground bath houses are closed for the winter and water is shut off, but you can car camp and rv with hookups if you want, or tent camp if you know how to do so comfortably in winter and dint mind using outhouses in the campground. There is running water and regular bathrooms at the main visitor’s center so that is an option, but several miles drive from the winter campsites. So, bottom line, come prepared with all your own supplies, and make sure you know how to stay warm if car or tent camping. A winter visit to the park is well worth it!

My best friend and I love to camp with our dogs, and this location was perfect we had a wonderful tent spot. The back was all woods and we went pretty late into the season so there was only us and maybe 5 other campers through out the whole park!! The hiking trails are wonderful and well kept!

Have stayed at this State Park three times now. It's a great park with lots to do. This year we went early in the season so no swimming, but still lots to do. We took advantage of the beautiful bog walks and bike trails. Our kids like that there is a playground. Nice protected marina to dock your boat in as well. Great park. Only reason why I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because most of the sites are not private at all and very close to one another.

Well maintained, clean modern bathrooms. Several good hiking trails. Nice swimming beach. Sites are a little close together.

Quiet night on the most secluded spot.

Gravel sites with some slope. Good bathrooms and showers.

I stay at Cabin, it's is nice. Got heater, electric , ac, fans, light, water pump nearby, outback toilet near too, ranger is friendly and helpful, have picnic table, fire pit , bugs not too badly. I'll come back to that cabin

This was an overnight stopover our way west. The site was spacious compared to some state parks. There were plenty of trees and a bit of terrain changes that made them more appealing. The lake was large and inviting (except for current swimmer's itch breakout). The bathrooms and showers were clean and the park staff was pleasant.

Great park with lots of biking trails, hiking and biking. Bike rentals are available at the park. The bog trail was really awesome and saw many cool plants. Very peaceful stay!!!

Campground is a short walk from beautiful beach on lake. Lots of trails for cycling, walking and hiking!

We were here spring of 2018. It was still winter season in MN. This place was great because we found this cute little campers cabin. It was so cozy it warm inside. Just perfect

We liked this campground but it was a bit expensive due to the entry fee for the state park we had to pay for. It would have been a daily fee if we had stayed multiple days.

Nice park, Friendly staff. Very clean facilities.

First time camping at this park in June 2019 and found it to be clean and well maintained. Some short easy trails and part of the Paul Bunyan State trail is their. Great if you bicycle? Jog or simply walk. Sites are pretty level, but not very secluded but you do have distance between sites. Facilities are well maintained and clean.