Bear Paw Campground

The great reviews on Campendium are warranted! Lovely campground lots of trees but not too dense, lots of grass, well spaced sites. My first night was marred by smokey, loud, walking through my site, outdoor lights, etc. neighbors (why do people like this go camping?) but the replacements were terrific. The single dump station for over 200 sites needs some serious TLC but one of the office staff said it's coming.

Remarkably, as big as the park is I had a reasonable Verizon signal for text and calls. T-Mobile and AT&T were pretty dead in the campground but T-Mobile perked up at other locations around the park.

I round my bike on the Wilderness Road all the way around - 18 miles, not 10. The Headwaters visitor center was packed but worth the visit. I also rented a SUP for an hour paddle in Lake Itasca which was great!

On my way out I drove through the Pine Ridge campground - dust from unpaved roads, lots more undergrowth, more like a large state forest campground though some sites/sections were okay.

My only wish was fort more off-road biking trails. The paved bike trail system is great but none of the other (hiking) trails were open to bikes.

My site (the only available since I had to change dates) seemed like the worst one in Bear Paw. Smaller, unlevel front/back & side-by-side. The power and table were on one side and the fire pit on the other. I had to pull in rather than back in for this to work.

We stayed three nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. The park is beautiful with excellent paved bike trails that can be accessed right from the campground that take you to all the best sites in the park including the Mississippi headwaters. Beautiful wooded setting to camp in, restroom and shower facilities good. Itasca state park is excellent with many things to do. Campsite was not level but we managed. Would highly recommend. Cell service weak or non existent but that is not what you come here for.

We stayed at bear paw campground In our 40 foot fifth wheel. No problem getting in and out. Not too many sites would accommodate big rigs. Also, lots of the sites are not level! Sites have fire pit and picnic table. Some have electric. Drinking water in several places throughout the park. We didn’t check out the bathrooms. Lots of biking, hiking and kayaking opportunities.

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).

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.

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