State Parks near Bemidji, MN

Along with the neighboring Minnesota Upper Red Lake, Big Bog State Recreation Area was formed around 10,000 years ago when the last Great Glacier retreated its way north. The glacier gouged and scraped land out, leaving massive deposits of sand, moraine, and granite boulders in its tracks. Although northern Minnesota was heavily logged in the 1920s and 1930s, the bog region was left untouched because logging companies found it was too difficult - and expensive - to access the trees. Big Bog State Recreation Area was officially established as a state park in 2002 and is also a national landmark because it’s also one of the largest peat bogs in the United States.

Although Wakish, MN, is the closest town, …

Buffalo River State Park makes up one of Minnesota's remaining prairies and is a beautiful place to explore no matter the season. As well as the prairie, there is a hardwood forest that runs alongside the river, giving you the best of all worlds. Alongside the Bluestem Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, it protects one of the highest quality prairies in the state and is most popular for swimming and picnicking.

The state park was originally established in 1937. At first it was created to provide recreational activities in an area that had very little. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that the rarity of the land was recognized. Covering over 6000 acres, it draws people to search for an …

Crow Wing State Park is a rustic, 3,000-acre recreation area ideal for RV camping, fishing, hiking, or simply relaxing over a friendly picnic. With a diverse landscape and wildlife, there's no shortage of fun activities here. The valleys of the park are characterized by conifer bogs and wet prairies. The forests are brimming with pine and hardwood trees, and eagles and hawks can be seen soaring across the blue skies.

Crow Wing River, one of the park’s main attractions, was most likely named after the shape of the island, which resembles a crow's wing. However, there are also claims that it was incorrectly translated from the Ojibwe word for raven or possibly raven feather. You can find out more details …

Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area lies in central Minnesota, close to the towns and cities of Ironton, Aitkin, and Brainerd. The area was once one of the most prolific mining areas in all of Minnesota, and as a result, the land is peppered with pits and waste rock. These pits have slowly filled with water over the past decades and created a picturesque landscape of lakes and mine ponds. This unique landscape makes Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area an ideal place for lake fishing, nature watching, and hiking through some of Minnesota’s best countryside.

This long list of recreational opportunities makes Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area the ideal place to take an RV rental. Making your way …

Located on the shore of Mille Lacs Lake in the heart of Minnesota, Father Hennepin State Park is perfectly placed for exploring the beautiful rugged northern part of the state. Less than a two-hour drive east in your rental RV is the city of Duluth, on the edge of Lake Superior and to the north is a maze of lakes and forests waiting to be discovered by on your outdoor adventure.

The park, named after a French Franciscan priest, Louis Hennepin, visited the area in 1680. He was captured by Dakota Native Americans, but released after eight months. During this time, he wrote many journals about the area.

Although the park only covers around 320-acres, it gives easy access …

Nestled in the wilderness of northern Minnesota, Franz Jevne State Park is one of the most picturesque places along the Rainy River. This state park is located close to International Falls and two hours away from Bemidji. The landscapes at Franz Jevne State Park are breathtaking, with changing terrain and dense pine forests that line the shore. This 118-acre park was donated to the state of Minnesota by the Jevne family. The land became a state park in 1967.

Today, visitors make the best out of the untouched nature and the Rainy River that flows through Franz Jevne State Park. Various outdoor activities are available here, depending on the time of the year. Fishing, hiking, and picnicking are incredibly …

Spanning over 1,900 acres, Glendalough State Park is a charming area that once served as a resort for the Cowles Media Company who owned the local newspaper. It was a popular site for many historical political figures to visit, such as former U.S. president Dwight Eisenhower and Walter Mondale. It was named after a monastery in Glendalough, Ireland.

This state park is situated next to Minnesota State Highway 78, making it very accessible for those who wish to tour the area with their motorhome. Glendalough State Park is a quick drive away from cities such as Alexandria and Fergus Falls.

Nestled in the wilderness of northern Minnesota, Hayes Lake State Park is south of Roseau and an hour away from Thief River Falls. The state park is a part of Beltrami Island State Forest. Hayes Lake State Park centers around Hayes Lake, and it is frequented by watersports enthusiasts as well as hikers. The lake was created after the impoundment of the Roseau River. The locals needed more recreational opportunities in the area, and Hayes Lake State Park became a state park in 1967.

Both locals and campers from all around the United States frequent this secluded state park. The magnificent landscapes around Hayes Lake are enough to draw in outdoorsy people looking for a quiet place to fish, …

The wide expanse of Itasca State Park is nestled two hours outside of Fargo, North Dakota and four hours north of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Studded with over 100 lakes, rolling hills, and thick patches of forest, this glacial region crowns the headwaters of the Mississippi River as it winds over 2,000 miles south to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Opened in 1891, Itasca State Park is considered Minnesota’s oldest state park, but it's refused to slow down in its old age. Activities abound for those in search of adventure, or for those RV ramblers looking to relax and unwind, there's plenty of space to spread out and find a bit of peace and quiet. Keen to …

Bemidji is an anglicization of a Native American word, “Bemiji-gau-maug,” which roughly means cutting sideways. Mississippi River cuts through the lake on a diagonal, which is how the lake earned its name. Lake Bemidji State Park and its namesake lake were formed by the last great glacier as it scraped its way north on its retreat, some 10,000 years ago.

Heavily logged in the late 19th century, the state park was officially established in 1923, which preserved the last few groves of virgin trees that are hundreds of years old.

The Lake Bemidji State Park campground is close to several other state and national parks, as well as the town of Bemidji, which is about eight miles south. Centrally …

With Lake Bronson at its heart, Lake Bronson State Park offers an idyllic escape from busy city life. Located in Minnesota, near the towns of Karlstad, Hallock, and Greenbush, camping at the state park will give you an adventure that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The lake was created in 1936 to motorhome camping solve the problem of a drought, while also solving the problem of lack of recreation in the area. Today, the area is a prime recreational destination and is highly popular for those that rent an RV in Kittson County.

At Lake Bronson State Park, fishing, swimming, canoeing, waterskiing are all very popular lake-based activities. During the warmer months, while hiking …

Located within 10 miles of Alexandria and slightly over 15 minutes from Parkers Prairie, lies the expansive Lake Carlos State Park. The park is right on the shores of the famous lake that gives it a name, and a few miles from Lake Ida and Lake Miltona. Its captivating natural beauty, a wide variety of recreational offerings and RV camping opportunities make it a favorite destination for Douglas County, MN campers.

Straddling over 1230 acres of Minnesota’s prairie landscape, it stretches out in a transition zone into tall coniferous forests. If what you are looking for is a break from a busy urban life, you can get away to Lake Carlos State Park for breathtaking natural scenery with marshes, …

Located among the glacial hills of Leaf Mountain is a lovely area caped with maple trees, elms, basswood, and oak. Named after its scenic woodland setting, Maplewood State Park protects 9,250 acres of land and attracts campers, horseback riders, hikers, and nature lovers throughout the whole year. The park also boasts pristine lakes and ponds where guests can relax, watch wildlife, or fish.

One of the top attractions during the summer season is definitely the picnic areas and sandy coastline of Lake Lida. During the winter, on the other hand, the park undergoes a transformation. The lake surface freezes and snow completely covers the grass prairies, which makes the place ideal for cross-country skiing.

Maplewood State Park is also near …

Famously known as the land of a thousand lakes, Minnesota’s McCarthy Beach State Park was established in 1945 when locals raised the money to purchase the land from property owner John A. McCarthy. Though the region was heavily logged in the decades prior, there are still a few groves of virgin wood trees that are hundreds of years old. Ancient hunting and tool artifacts found around the lake indicates people were living and hunting in the region for at least 10,000 years before European settlers ever laid eyes on it. Archaeologists believe they first arrived shortly after the last great glacier left the area, some 12,000 years ago.

Lake Sturgeon and its neighboring lakes, Side Lake, Perch Lake, Little Sturgeon …

Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is a historic Minnesota park situated near the heart of the state and is best known for containing many ancient Native American sites. During the mid-1800s, the state park was a sought-after logging spot. The trees cut down here would then be sent down to local sawmills via the Mille Lacs Lake.

The area has a humid continental climate, which causes the summers to be hot and the winters to be brutally cold and snowy. Mille Lacs Kathio State Park is a short drive away from major cities such as Brainerd and St. Cloud.

Take a step back through some Minnesota history at Old Mill State Park. A log cabin and steam-flour mill are both significant landmarks from the past and are just one of the many things to see in this Minnesota State Park. Old Mill State Park lies on the banks of Middle River, between the towns of Newfolden, Karlstad, and Argyle. Many people search for an RV in Marshall Country and visit the park to learn more about its interesting past.

Although Old Mill State Park is relatively small, at just 406 acres, there is still plenty to keep visitors entertained. This state park was originally homesteaded by the Larson family back in 1882, but Minnesota bought the …

Make your way to the Red River Valley in northwestern Minnesota on a motorhome camping trip to Red River State Recreation Area this summer. Located in the city of East Grand Forks, the state recreation area is spread out on the banks of the Red Lake River and the Red River of the North. Not too far from here lies the state of North Dakota and the cities of Grand Forks and Grafton. The area came into being after a terrible flood in the area prompted drastic changes that finally led to the creation of a 1200-acre greenway that we now know as Red River State Recreation Area. 

Known for attracting visitors from around the state for fishing, …

With an area spreading across 15,000 acres, Savanna Portage State Park is one of the largest state parks in Minnesota. Boasting scenic forests, pristine lakes, rolling hills, and vibrant marshlands, this a true haven for RV campers, hikers, history buffs, and anglers.

The park is just 17 miles northeast of the small town of McGregor, which makes it a perfect rural retreat for state park camping enthusiasts or families on vacation. The park has lovely trails winding through northern hardwood forests and large bogs that were once glacial lakes. The trails can be used for hiking and biking or skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. One of the main attractions is the Savanna Portage Trail, which was used by …

Scenic State Park is aptly named, as it is one of the most picturesque in the state of Minnesota. It was established in 1921 to protect the virgin pines along the shores of several lakes. It offers a scenic slice of nature for those wishing to escape their busy day to day lives and take a look at the wild side of Minnesota. The virgin white and red pines are particularly beautiful, but there is plenty of flora and fauna to be experienced all through the year.

The park sits in the center of both Coon and Sandwick Lakes, both of which offer plenty of recreational activities, and the George Washington State Forest is also next door. There are many …

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Schoolcraft State Park is less than 30 minutes away from Grand Rapids, MN, and Deer River, MN. Dense pine forests and lakes draw in visitors who want to escape the concrete jungle for a couple of days. This state park was named after Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who charted the Mississippi River with the help of the Anishinabe people and camped in this area during his quest.

The 225-acre Schoolcraft State Park is a great place for a motorhome camping trip. The state park is quiet and secluded, allowing campers to relax and engage in various outdoor activities. Hiking, birdwatching, and fishing are very popular in this part of Minnesota. Those …