Bear Paw Campground
Itasca State Park
Write a Review 36750 Main Park Drive Park Rapids, MN 56470 218-699-7251 Reservations: 866-857-2757 Official WebsiteGPS: 47.2224, -95.1847
Overview of Bear Paw Campground
A Minnesota State Parks vehicle permit is required for all vehicles entering state parks and state recreation areas. Daily or annual permits are available and may be purchased online, in-person, at self-service kiosks or by phone. Learn more: Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permit Information
Last Price Paid: $35
Reported by fotoman1527 on 8/15/2024
Longest RV Reported: 36 feet (Class A)
Reported by Patricia57 on 6/13/2019
Number of Sites 81
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Open Seasonally May - September
Elevation 1,541 ft / 469 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Bear Paw Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 218-699-7251
Reviews of Bear Paw Campground 14 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 9 Users
Last reported 7/2/2024
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 8/15/2024
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 7/19/2023
“Wonderful, historic campground, but please go to Itasca Sports!”
Reviewed 8/15/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 17E |
| RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
I agree with everyone who gave this park five stars, but want to add my praise for a unique public/private partnership that permits Itasca Sports to operate a rental service on Lake Itasca within the park. We rented a motorized pontoon boat for a very reasonable fee - about $60/hour, and also rented e-bikes ($70 each for the 90 minutes... more
I agree with everyone who gave this park five stars, but want to add my praise for a unique public/private partnership that permits Itasca Sports to operate a rental service on Lake Itasca within the park. We rented a motorized pontoon boat for a very reasonable fee - about $60/hour, and also rented e-bikes ($70 each for the 90 minutes we kept them.
First, I have found that seeing a place on the water from the water deepens the experience of being there dramatically. I live in Miami and would encourage anyone coming there to get out on the water and see the city from there. Very special. The same is true here at Itasca. I haven’t had much luck renting motorized craft in state or national parks, and this was a wonderful experience.
Similarly, there is a 16-mile paved bike trail within this park, and while you can do it on regular bikes, the e-bikes open this experience up to so many more people. It was also wonderful!
We ate at a good Italian restaurant called Necce’s in Park Rapids, about 20 minutes away. The museum at the main visitor center was very good, as was a smaller museum on site talking about the history of the park. This is Minnesota’s flagship park and despite the lack of water on the site and some of the other negative points made, this is a five-star park for us. It’s very special.
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AT&T 4G
fotoman1527 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great View But Busy”
Reviewed 7/2/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 61 |
Overall Rating
We got a spot next to the lake but the campgrounds were very busy. We could hear personal conversations from the next camp over and we could hear the corn hole game from across the loop well into the night. The loon calls were mystical through the running generators and screaming kids. We were right on the bike path which was very... more
We got a spot next to the lake but the campgrounds were very busy. We could hear personal conversations from the next camp over and we could hear the corn hole game from across the loop well into the night.
The loon calls were mystical through the running generators and screaming kids. We were right on the bike path which was very convenient.
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet to park your camper van… look elsewhere but if you’re here to experience the park and can deal with continuous barking dogs, not bad.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice campground with a unique setting”
Reviewed 5/22/2024
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 8 |
| Site Number: | 17E |
| RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
Overall Rating
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in site #17E, an E only (50A), BI site for $35/night plus the Minnesota State Park vehicle pass. The roads were asphalt and the sites were sand and grass. This site was shaded, roomy and sloped back to front which required me to extend my front jacks further than I like.... more
I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in site #17E, an E only (50A), BI site for $35/night plus the Minnesota State Park vehicle pass. The roads were asphalt and the sites were sand and grass. This site was shaded, roomy and sloped back to front which required me to extend my front jacks further than I like. It was easy navigating and getting backed into the site. The campground only has one dump spot so lines could get long on weekend days and afternoons to get water as people arrived. The checkout is pretty late which contributed to the afternoon lines. The bathhouse is very large, clean and the showers had benches for your stuff. There were a total of three bathrooms in the Bear Paw loop. All were older, but clean. It was a very quiet campground even with lots of families. Everyone seemed very respectful. Most of the sites have some shade. Space varies by site. Some are roomy while others are close to each other. There is a nice bike trail and several hiking trails. The visitor’s center at the headwaters is informative and is worth some time. I preferred the Bear Paw loop due to its access to the lake and it felt less crowded. Preferred sites in Bear Paw were: 59, 69, 70. Pine Ridge sites: 173, 175, 208, 209. I would stay here again.
ElaineS would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Park, Great Campground ”
Reviewed 9/3/2023
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 7 |
| RV Length: | 22' (Class B) |
Overall Rating
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.
AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Rocky Victoria would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Check-out/Check-in 4PM”
Reviewed 7/19/2023
| Nightly rate: | $35 |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 39E |
| RV Length: | 25' (Class C) |
Overall Rating
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... more
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.
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AT&T
Verizon 4G
T-Mobile 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent Campground, Beautiful Setting”
Reviewed 8/10/2022
| Days stayed: | 3 |
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| Site Number: | 62 |
| RV Length: | 25' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
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 exce... more
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.
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AT&T 4G
Steve & Dorothy Thompson would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice campground”
Reviewed 5/26/2022
| Nightly rate: | $37 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 53 |
Overall Rating
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 biki... more
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.
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Verizon 4G
Jessica would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice campsite”
Reviewed 5/9/2021
| Nightly rate: | $25 |
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| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 72 |
Overall Rating
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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Verizon 4G
Nomers would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Motorcycle camping”
Reviewed 12/13/2020
| Nightly rate: | $26 |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 10 |
Overall Rating
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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Verizon 4G
JCStark5 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Loved seeing the Mississippi headwaters. ”
Reviewed 6/13/2019
| Nightly rate: | $31 |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 44E |
| RV Length: | 36' (Class A) |
Overall Rating
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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Verizon 4G
Patricia57 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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48 reviews
Wandering Around America One State at a Time – Minnesota
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Amenities
Hookups
- 50 Amp
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- dry camping
- Partial Hookups
Recreation
- fishing
- picnic area
- playground
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- cabins
- dump station
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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