Lake Bemidji State Park with Kids: A Local Mom's Guide

This post featuring my guide to Lake Bemidji State Park with kids may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy (linked below).

A family looks at a lake while hiking in Lake Bemidji State Park.

Some state parks are worth visiting for the views. Others for the trails. And, a few have a little something extra that makes them genuinely stand out. Lake Bemidji State Park falls into that last category! It is genuinely one of my favorite Minnesota State Parks. After visiting in both summer and winter, I can confidently say it’s worth exploring in every season.

Summer gets a slight edge in my book, though, for one very specific reason: carnivorous plants. Yes, Minnesota is home to two native plants that eat insects. I spotted BOTH varieties during our recent summer visit! You can find them on the Bog Walk.

The Bog Walk is worth the family trip to Bemidji alone. I love its winding boardwalk, unusual plant life, and interpretive signs. The signage turns a simple hike into a mini science lesson, which is so cool for a family who loves learning together (like us!). If you visit in late June, you might even spot Minnesota’s beloved lady’s slippers blooming along the way.

A dad and his young daughter look over a boardwalk trail in Lake Bemidji State Park.

Of course, there’s plenty more to do with kids at Lake Bemidji State Park. Explore the visitor center. Hike or bike along other trails. Take a dip in Lake Bemidji or enjoy a lakeside picnic. In winter, the park is perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and other cold-weather adventures.

Whether your family plans to visit every Minnesota State Park or wants something fun to do in Bemidji, this guide to Lake Bemidji State Park covers what to see and how to make the most of your visit with kids. I’ll also share tips for the best family trails in Lake Bemidji State Park, including the one I think deserves a spot at the top of your list.

Know Before You Go

Antonia and her husband sit on a bench while hiking near Bemidji.

Here’s everything you need to know before visiting Lake Bemidji State Park with your kids:

Nearest City: Bemidji, Minnesota
Address: 3401 State Park Rd NE, Bemidji, MN 56601
Vehicles require a Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permit (annual or day pass)
Open daily from 8 am until 10 pm (visitor center + ranger station hours vary by season)
Best seasons to hike here: All seasons
Lake Bemidji State Park Maps
Nearby family-friendly places to eat: Cantabria Coffee Company, Wild Hare Bistro and Coffee House, or Lucky Dogs

Unique Park Highlights

A man and his young daughter look out at the lake in Lake Bemidji State Park.

This state park features unique characteristics that are hard to find elsewhere in Minnesota. They include:

This state park was established in 1923
This park has a very unique ecosystem, including a bog
Two native carnivorous plants can be seen on the Bog Walk
Lady Slippers grow along the Bog Walk (they tend to bloom in June)
You can rent a boat, canoe, or kayak from the ranger station
This park is also known for having one of the best sand swimming beaches on Lake Bemidji!
Lake Bemidji State Park is the northern trailhead for the Paul Bunyan State Trail

Best Hiking Trails in Lake Bemidji State Park for Families

A young girl reads an interpretive sign in Lake Bemidji State Park.

The park has 11 miles of trails. Most trails in Lake Bemidji State Park are rated easy or moderate. Here are 2 of my top picks for the best trails in Lake Bemidji State Park for families:

The Bog Walk – 2.5-mile out-and-back (this trail is a must in my opinion!)
Rocky Point Trail – 1-mile loop

Seasonal Things to Do in Lake Bemidji State Park

A dad and his young daughter hike together in northern Minnesota.

Lake Bemidji State Park is a great year-round spot for families. We have visited in the summer and winter. Each season offers a unique perspective of the terrain. While I slightly preferred our summer visit (because of the carnivorous plants!), I would recommend visiting in any season. No matter when you visit, Lake Bemidji State Park offers plenty of things to do with kids. Here are a few to keep in mind as you plan your visit!

In late spring and early summer, look for wildflowers along the trails. You may even see showy lady’s slippers blooming in the bog (usually in June). The Bog Walk is also a great summer trail. Watch for two native carnivorous plants as you trek along the boardwalk. These were the highlight of our experience last summer!

A dad and daughter hike on a summer day near Bemidji.

Biking and swimming also take center stage in the summer. Rent a bike to explore the paved paths. Lake Bemidji State Park is the northern trailhead for the Paul Bunyan State Trail. Pack a picnic to make a whole day of it. You can even have lunch by the lake.

While you’re there, take a dip in the shallow waters. This is the perfect beach near Bemidji for a warm day on the water. The beach is sandy, so most kids will love splashing and playing here!

A young girl stand on a trail overlooking a lake at Bemidji Lake State Park.

When warmer weather gives way to winter, trade hiking boots for snowshoes, cross-country skis, or ice skates. The frozen lake becomes a natural spot for ice skating and ice fishing. A rink is usually cleared when the ice is frozen enough. The park has 8 miles of groomed cross-country skiing trails. If you need to rent gear, the ranger station has universal cross-country skis. Snowshoes are also available to rent here!

Tips for Visiting Lake Bemidji State Park with Kids

A young girl looks at the bog floor from a boardwalk in northern Minnesota.

Here are a few tips for visiting Lake Bemidji State Park with kids:

I always recommend hiking shoes with good ankle support
Bring bug spray or mosquito nets in the summer
Have a refillable water bottle with you (and extra water in the car)
Bring a cooler with picnic supplies if you want to have lunch while you hike
Pack a swimsuit if you want to swim at the beach
A small first-aid kit is always a good idea, too
Cell service in the park can be really spotty; tell someone your plan for the day to be safe
Pack snacks and plenty of water, follow Leave No Trace principles, and have fun!

Family Itinerary for Lake Bemidji State Park

A dad and his young daughter hike along a boardwalk in Lake Bemidji State Park.

Let’s plan your family visit to Lake Bemidji State Park. I’ve included two itinerary ideas. One is for a short visit, and one is for a longer visit.

If You Only Have 1 Hour

If you’re short on time, start with the visitor center at the park office. Kids can watch fish in the aquarium, climb inside a life-size beaver lodge, and explore interactive displays. It’s also a handy stop on a rainy day when you need a break from the outdoors.

Then, I recommend the Bog Walk. This boardwalk trail is one of the most unique trails in northern Minnesota. (And, one of my personal favorites.) The boardwalk winds through a conifer bog filled with fascinating plant life. Keep an eye out for theinsect-eating pitcher plants, sundews (also carnivorous), and delicate orchids. Lady Slippers are common here in the early summer. Interpretive signs along the way help you identify these unusual plants, and the surrounding woods are home to wildlife such as deer, squirrels, and chipmunks.

The trail is relatively easy, with one steeper hill. Just be careful when you cross the road to reach the second part of the trail.

If You Have More Time

Lake Bemidji State Park makes it easy to turn a quick visit into a full day. I recommend starting the same way: the visitor center and hiking the Bog Walk.

Then, with a few extra hours, add another hike to your itinerary. Or, head to the beach for a picnic and some time by the water (this is what I would do).

The park’s playground is a great stop for kids who need to play before or after a hike. It features swings, slides, and more.

Afterward, take a short walk to the sandy beach to swim (or lounge along the shoreline if you didn’t bring any swimwear). Buoys mark a designated swimming area away from boat traffic. It’s a popular spot for families on warm summer days. Restrooms and picnic areas are nearby, too. Though, I’m partial to a picnic on the beach myself.

Honestly, a hike, a beach, and a picnic make for a pretty great family day!

Where to Stay near Lake Bemidji State Park

A family walks into Best Western Bemidji with their suitcases.

If you are planning a family trip to visit Lake Bemidji State Park, here’s where to stay in Bemidji, Minnesota, with kids:

Camp at Lake Bemidji State Park
Best Western Bemidji (this is where we recently stayed)
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bemidji
SouthShore Hotel on Lake Bemidji
Kohl’s Resort
Breezy Hills Resort

Have Fun Exploring Lake Bemidji State Park with Your Kids!

A young girl runs down a boardwalk trail.

Lake Bemidji State Park always reminds me how much there is to discover in Minnesota’s great outdoors. The park holds so many amazing surprises that you just have to see for yourself.

My biggest tip? Don’t skip the Bog Walk! It’s such a unique landscape. Spotting unusual plants along the boardwalk made it a highlight of our summer visit. If you can, plan your trip for late June to catch the orchids in bloom (we missed seeing them, but I hear they’re beautiful!).

I hope this guide to Lake Bemidji State Park helps you plan a fun visit with your kids. With so much to do at Lake Bemidji State Park year-round, you might find yourself planning a return trip before you even leave. (We did!)

Unless otherwise noted, all images in this article were taken by and belong to the blog's author, Antonia Grant. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.

A Parent’s Helpful Guide to Lake Bemidji State Park with Kids