Bear Head Lake State Park

By America's State Parks Editorial TeamOutdoor Editor & Trail ExpertFebruary 5, 2026 · Updated May 13, 2026

BWCA gateway with primitive campsites.

Wildlife & Nature

Bear Head Lake SP — near Ely — provides a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The park’s boreal forest, rocky shoreline, and clear lakes support black bears, gray wolves, and moose. Common loons nest on every lake. Bald eagles fish from above. Northern lights are visible on clear nights.

Nearby Attractions

Ely — 10 miles north — is the gateway to the BWCAW and has the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. Tower — adjacent. Soudan Underground Mine SP — 5 miles west.

Things to Do

Minnesota’s state parks celebrate the Land of 10,000 Lakes — offering everything from boreal forests and Lake Superior’s dramatic North Shore to prairie grasslands, river bluffs, and glacial lakes. Activities include hiking through pine and birch forests, fishing for walleye, northern pike, and bass in park lakes, canoeing and kayaking pristine wilderness waterways, camping under northern skies, swimming at sandy lake beaches, cross-country skiing on groomed winter trails, snowshoeing through silent forests, mountain biking singletrack, and birdwatching along one of the nation’s most active migratory flyways. The North Shore parks along Lake Superior — Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche — rank among the most scenic in the Midwest.

Best Time to Visit

Minnesota’s outdoor season varies dramatically. Summer (June–August) brings warm temperatures (70s–80s°F), excellent fishing, and long northern days — peak camping season. Fall (September–October) delivers extraordinary color, especially along the North Shore and in the Boundary Waters region, peaking late September to mid-October. Spring (April–May) is muddy but brings rushing waterfalls and migrating birds. Winter (December–March) is legendary in Minnesota — parks transform into cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter camping destinations. The North Shore of Lake Superior is stunning in every season but can see severe winter storms. Always carry warm layers near Lake Superior, as temperatures drop dramatically near the water.

Visitor Tips

Minnesota state parks require a vehicle permit ($7/day or $35/year). The annual permit covers all 75 state parks and recreation areas. Camping reservations are made through the Minnesota DNR reservation system up to 120 days in advance. North Shore parks (Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock, Tettegouche) book up fast for fall weekends — reserve by mid-summer. Most parks have excellent visitor centers with naturalist programs. Ticks are a significant concern May through October — perform tick checks after every hike and use repellent. Winter campers should note that many water systems are shut off November through April.

Explore More Minnesota State Parks

Bear Head Lake State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Minnesota. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Minnesota guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.

Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park (a short drive away) or Lake Vermilion-Soudan State Park (a short drive away).

About the Author

America's State Parks Editorial Team

Outdoor Editor & Trail Expert

America's State Parks is an independent online guide to the state parks of the United States. Our editorial team compiles and reviews each park profile from official state park agency sources and other primary references, and follows a published editorial and review methodology (see /editorial-review-methodology/). We update profiles and correct errors on an ongoing basis.

200+ state parks visited across 42 states | 8+ years of outdoor writing

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