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
“Great park for biking”
Reviewed 9/28/2018
| Nightly rate: | $31 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 15e |
Overall Rating
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. Drivin... more
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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Verizon 4G
bbvanlife would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful bicycle ride, That little stream!!”
Reviewed 6/18/2017
| Nightly rate: | $22 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 55 |
Overall Rating
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 ... more
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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AT&T 4G
markdev would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent early spring experience”
Reviewed 5/15/2017
| Nightly rate: | $25 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | BearPaw 63e |
Overall Rating
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 picn... more
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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Verizon 4G
OneAddictedTraveler would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Bear Paw C/G is beautiful, camping under tall white pines on the shoreline of Lake Itasca”
Reviewed 10/13/2016
| Nightly rate: | $30 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 33e |
| RV Length: | 28' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
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 circ... more
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.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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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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