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5.0
332 votes

Bear Paw Campground

36750 Main Park Dr, Park Rapids, Minnesota 56470 USA

Free
Free to Visit
Closed Now
Opens Fri 8a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“Minnesota's Oldest State Park”

Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota's oldest state park. Today, the park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Walk across the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Stand under towering pines at Preacher's Grove. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann's Cabin, landmarks of centuries gone by. Camp under the stars, or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary, one of Minnesota's seven National Natural Landmarks.

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Reviews of Bear Paw Campground

13 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.8 Access
4.7 Location
4.8 Cleanliness
4.1 Site Quality
4.4 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G

Confirmed by 8 users | Last reported on September 03, 2023

AT&T 4G/5G

Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on September 03, 2023

T-Mobile 5G

Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on July 20, 2023
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Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
August 30, 2014
Rated 4.0

Itasca State Park is Minnesota's oldest state park. It’s over 32,000 acres and has more than 100 lakes. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here. Also, pretty rad to be able to walk across the Mississippi River, like another commenter mentioned.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
treefrogdarla

  • 2 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
August 07, 2014
Rated 4.0

Pretty cool to be able to walk across the mighty Mississippi!

1 person found this review helpful
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Reviewed by
Campendium

October 14, 2016
Rated

Bear Paw is one of two campgrounds in this historically significant park, The headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River system. The State Park is large, with an asphalt road through it for touring autos and laced with hiking/biking trails through stunning north woods beauty.

The campsites are well laid out over hills and in a circular fashion. Not rows of sites with everyone looking into each other's windows. Each site has its own setting and almost all have water views. Most have electric and there is water near the dump station. During the school-out season this is a very busy place. Mid-October weekends there is traffic with leaf-peepers seeking the golden hue of turning maples, birch, ash and red oak trees. The water's edge will also reward you with golden tamarack or larchwood autumn colors.

Visitors can also take the short few steps and walk across the Mississippi River without getting wet. Years ago they didn't have rocks placed in the stream's headwaters so walking on water was a more difficult.

It is a beautiful SP with beautiful but busy campgrounds.

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Nightly Rate: $30.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 33e

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
4 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 28, 2018
Rated

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).

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $31.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 15e

4 Access
4 Location
4 Cleanliness
3 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 14, 2019
Rated

50 amp backin site. Plenty long. Picnic table and fire ring. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Lots of biking/walking/hiking trails. Verizon service is minimal and no internet. Got our dish to work off and on. In addition to the campsite fee, there is a $7.00 per day vehicle permit fee.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $31.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 44E

4 Access
3 Location
4 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

May 10, 2021
Rated

Cart-in campsite was very nice. Stayed for two nights with my 5 year old, it’s close to the bathroom and the playground. Will definitely come again.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $25.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 72

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 03, 2023
Rated

We only stayed one night, passing through but this park is awesome. Lots of things to do and excellent forests and lakes.
Campsites are well-spaced and in good condition.
We did happen to camp next to the Loud Family but I can’t blame that on the park.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $35.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 7

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

AT&T 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

May 15, 2017
Rated

Bear Paw is one of two campgrounds here. It is smaller than Pine Ridge. It is right on Lake Itasca and most sites can easily see the lake. We were too early for the flush toilets and showers which open about May 15.

The sites are on several loops served by an asphalt drive. Most sites are angled to the loop road and come with a picnic table and fire pits.

Given our early trip we almost had the place to ourselves but we understand it can be very busy in summer.

Many sites have electricity and there is a dump station.

Electric sites are $25; nonelectric sites are cheaper ($17 I think). There is also a $8 reservation fee if reserved ahead.

WiFi is available near the shower rooms. Cell phone service was not

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $25.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: BearPaw 63e

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 18, 2017
Rated

22 for no power seems a little extreme, but the park is awesome! I loved seeing the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. Such an insignificant start!! They have about a 17 mile bicycle path which goes right next to it. It does go on a road at one point but there was hardly any traffic. The ride was beautiful. All those tall Red Pines were just amazing and the pavement was very smooth, perfect for road racing tires. Bear Paws campground was a little noisy, but the neighbors seemed friendly and well behaved. Showers and toilets were very clean.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $22.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 55

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
4 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

December 13, 2020
Rated

Beautiful and popular State Park. Well cared for and nice facilities. Long distances between (several miles) areas to visit. Good spacing between non-electric sites proved some privacy.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $26.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 10

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Bear Paw Campground

36750 Main Park Dr
Park Rapids, Minnesota
56470 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm

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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
Max Stay
14
Season End
Year Round
Affiliation
State park or forest
Sites Count
81
Season Start
Year Round
Last Nightly Rate
30.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
22.0
Back In RV Sites Count
15
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
36.0
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    Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Showers
  • Unavailable
    Big Rigs
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    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
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    Fifty Amp
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    Tent Sites
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    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Paved Sites
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    Dump Station
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
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    Public Water
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through
  • Check
    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Water Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
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    Rec Facilities
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
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    Permit Required
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    Back In RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
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    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Vehicle Wash Permitted
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