Bear Head Lake State Park campground
Bear Head Lake State Park
Reservations are accepted at Bear Head Lake State Park, ensuring that campers can secure their preferred camping spot in advance. This is especially beneficial during peak seasons when the campground tends to get crowded. Speaking of seasons, the best time to visit Bear Head Lake State Park is during the warmer months, from May to September. During this time, the weather is ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and boating. It is worth noting that the park is known for its beautiful fall foliage, making it a popular destination in autumn as well.
While exploring the camping area, campers should be cautious of the bear population in the park. As the name implies, Bear Head Lake State Park is home to black bears. Therefore, it is important to follow proper guidelines for storing food securely and maintaining a safe distance from wildlife. Additionally, the park is known for its abundance of mosquitoes, particularly during the summer months, so campers should come prepared with bug repellent. With its stunning natural beauty and range of amenities, Bear Head Lake State Park offers campers a memorable and enjoyable wilderness experience.
What's on-site at Bear Head Lake State Park
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Bear Head Lake State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermilion Ridge Campground. | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Bear Island Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mckinley City Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mckinley Park Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Hoodoo Point City Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Bear Head Lake State Park -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 2,260 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,720 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,190 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 7,380 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 1,160 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 55 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Bear Head Lake State Park -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babbitt | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely 5.2 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely 6.4 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Tower | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Embarass | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Ely 1.8 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- Bear Island State Forest
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
- Burntside State Forest
- Kabetogama State Forest
- Veterans Memorial Field
Boat launches
- Bear Head Lake State Park Saint Louis County
- Vermillion Ridge Road Saint Louis County
- Soudan Boat Launch
- Country Club Road 8699, Saint Louis County
- Hoodoo Point Road Tower
- Shagawa Road West Ely
Fishing spots
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Bear Head Lake State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Bear Head Lake State Park
Can I make reservations at Bear Head Lake State Park?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Bear Head Lake State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Bear Head Lake State Park.