Camping near Bemidji, MN

[Nodust]

Looking for a fairly easy hike in and camp spot near Bemidji. 5 miles or less walk in would be good. Doesn't need anything other than four trees for me and my son to hang in.

Going to be traveling through and only have time for one quick overnight hang.

Also good food recommendations for the area. Burgers and a beer would be great. Or whatever greasy spoon is available.

Thanks in Advance

[Shug]

Look at Bemidji State Park......https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_pa...00205#homepage or Mississippi Headwaters State Forest.....https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_fo...00034#homepage

Never camped there but they are close.
Shug

[Karla "with a k"]

I haven't been back to Bemidji for over a decade. If no one else has a suggestion, I'll ask my cousin. When will you be passing through?

[Nodust]

Look at Bemidji State Park......https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_pa...00205#homepage or Mississippi Headwaters State Forest.....https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_fo...00034#homepage

Never camped there but they are close.
Shug

Checking them out. I work right next to the river so camping close to where it starts would be cool.

I haven't been back to Bemidji for over a decade. If no one else has a suggestion, I'll ask my cousin. When will you be passing through?

First of August. I know going to be hot and buggy but taking to opportunity to camp in every state when I can.

[GeneH]

Checking them out. I work right next to the river so camping close to where it starts would be cool.
First of August. I know going to be hot and buggy but taking to opportunity to camp in every state when I can.

Yeah, your going to want to be where there's minimum standing water, like around cattails, and lot's of breeze coming off the river or lake.

[jhersh]

I am not sure how close you need it to be "near" bemidji, but the itasca morraine chapter of the north country trail passes fairly close, maybe 30 or so miles south of bemidji:

https://northcountrytrail.org/volunt...raine-chapter/

For a map:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_o...ZzX0Y2Um8/view

One very nice hike is to park at the trailhead at MN-64, and hike west, thru the Paul Bunyan State Forest, about 6 miles
to the campsite at Waboose Lake. campsite is free, no reservations, very hammockable. It's right on the substantially sized lake, so is frequently breezy: great in bug season, not so much in chilly weather.

Another possibility: park at county road 91 trailhead, hike west about 6 miles, to a campsite by a small pond. Campsite is not as nice as the one at Waboose, but the hike goes by lots of nice lakes.

A headnet for bugs is an absolute necessity for hiking central MN in summer.

The hiking is pretty easy, with modest rolling hills.

[Nodust]

Don’t really need to be in Bemidji. All those suggestions looks good.

[Nodust]

Don’t really need to be in Bemidji. All those suggestions looks good.

We will actually be traveling from the Fargo area to Minneapolis with a day and one night to sight see.

I figured heading a little north would give us more opportunities for hiking.

Seeing the Mississippi headwaters would be cool since we live and work next to the river a few thousand miles south.

[xMagnolia]

I grew up ion Donaldsonville. The River is a lot different at the top! I never made it all the way to the headwaters while I lived in the Midwest, if you get the chance, please take pictures.

Charlotte

[Nodust]

I grew up ion Donaldsonville. The River is a lot different at the top! I never made it all the way to the headwaters while I lived in the Midwest, if you get the chance, please take pictures.

Charlotte

That’s cool. I work right by the Sunshine bridge. On the river dock almost daily.