Bear Head Lake State Park

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Parks

Iowa

Nearby: Bear Island State Forest Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bear Head Lake State Park is located in St.

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Summary

Louis County, Minnesota, not Iowa.

The park is situated in the heart of the Superior National Forest and offers visitors a chance to explore the beauty of northern Minnesota. The park's rugged terrain is dotted with lakes, streams, and thick forests, making it a popular spot for hiking, fishing, and camping.

One of the most popular activities at Bear Head Lake State Park is fishing. The park is home to a variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, bass, and trout. Visitors can fish from shore or launch a boat from one of the park's boat ramps.

Hiking is another popular activity at Bear Head Lake State Park. The park offers over 20 miles of trails that wind through forests, past lakes and streams, and over rugged terrain. The trails range from easy to difficult and offer something for hikers of all skill levels.

In addition to fishing and hiking, visitors to Bear Head Lake State Park can also enjoy camping, picnicking, swimming, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, moose, wolves, and bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Bear Head Lake State Park depends on what activities you're interested in. The park is open year-round, but the summer months are the most popular for camping, fishing, and hiking. The fall months are a great time to see the changing leaves and spot wildlife, while winter brings opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Overall, Bear Head Lake State Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the natural beauty of northern Minnesota.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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