Is Bear Paw Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Bear Paw Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Bear Paw Campground before I book?

Yes! Bear Paw Campground has 9 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Bear Paw Campground?

Yes, Bear Paw Campground has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Bear Paw Campground?

Fire policies at Bear Paw Campground: Fires allowed only in designated fire rings and charcoal grills; do not leave fires unattended and extinguish before leaving. Use approved or local firewood to avoid spreading forest pests.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Bear Paw Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Paw Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bear Paw Campground?

Bear Paw Campground offers: Restrooms, Showers, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bear Paw Campground?

Popular activities at Bear Paw Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bear Paw Campground

4.68

304 reviews

Laporte, MN, USA

Top 5% in MNSummer

Family FriendlyScenic ViewsSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Showers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota State Parks)Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Showers

Book on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota State Parks)Official Website

Bear Paw Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Reservations are required for all campsites. A non-refundable reservation fee is charged for each advance reservation ($10 by call center, $8...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367; 651-296-6157

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Bear Paw Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Laporte, MN, USA

No map location available

Weather at Bear Paw Campground

Best Time to Camp at Bear Paw Campground

Summer brings warm days perfect for swimming and hiking, but it also brings fellow nature lovers—this popular season fills up fast, so book early to secure your spot. Opening and closing dates shift with the seasons, so be sure to verify current availability through the campground webpage or ParkFinder before finalizing your plans. Each season at Bear Paw offers its own rewards, from spring wildflowers to fall colors that set the forest ablaze.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 5% in MN

Summer offers warm, dry weather, evening programs, and ideal camping conditions per overview.

Planning Tips

About Bear Paw Campground

Extend your adventure beyond daylight at Bear Paw Campground, where crackling campfires, star-filled skies, and evening naturalist programs await. Whether you're pitching a tent under towering pines or settling into campground lodging, you'll find yourself perfectly positioned for moonlit strolls and memorable nights in Minnesota's north woods. Reservations are required, so check availability and site details on the park's camping page before planning your stay.

Tent camping is reported at the site; other site types are not specified in the available sources.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings warm days perfect for swimming and hiking, but it also brings fellow nature lovers—this popular season fills up fast, so book early to secure your spot. Opening and closing dates shift with the seasons, so be sure to verify current availability through the campground webpage or ParkFinder before finalizing your plans. Each season at Bear Paw offers its own rewards, from spring wildflowers to fall colors that set the forest ablaze.

Natural Features and SceneryWake up to the scent of pine needles and the gentle lapping of lake waters at your doorstep. Bear Paw Campground immerses you in quintessential northern Minnesota beauty—a cathedral of towering pines meets pristine shoreline, creating the perfect basecamp for exploration. Follow connected trails from your campsite into the surrounding wilderness, or venture along scenic Wilderness Drive to discover the ancient giants of Preacher's Grove, where some of the park's most impressive old-growth pines stand sentinel over the forest floor.

Scenic ViewsCampers enjoy lakeside views and evening sunsets across Lake Itasca and scenic drives along Wilderness Drive through old-growth pines.

Best Campsites

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Need help booking Bear Paw Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Minnesota State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

User reports and prior site notes indicate clean restrooms and shower houses at the campground. Reservations are required for campsites through Minnesota State Parks (contact numbers available on the official site).

Showers

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Located on Lake Itasca with nearby trails and Wilderness Drive; typical activities include hiking, biking, fishing, boating, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUse only approved or local firewood to prevent the spread of pests. Light fires only within provided fire rings or charcoal grills, never leave fires unattended, and fully extinguish fires before leaving. Follow park rules on pets, waste disposal, and campsite use.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.7

304 reviews

Top-Rated

Bear Paw Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall positive user sentiment: campground is described as well maintained and scenic with clean restrooms and shower houses. Common complaints include check-in/check-out timing issues, sites that feel close together, and nuisance wildlife (raccoons).

Review Summaries

Based on 304 reviews

What Campers Love

Well maintained and clean; very clean restrooms and shower houses; lakeside scenery and sunsets; easy access to trails, Wilderness Drive and Preacher's Grove; friendly staff and helpful camp hosts.

Based on 304 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reservations are required—book early in summer. Users report raccoons at night, so store food securely. Call the park for specific accessibility or facility questions.

Based on 304 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Nice and quiet. Well maintained. I particularly recommend the interpretive trails.” — “Why have check out and check in at the same time! Not happy when the people don't check out BY 4pm! We had to...

Based on 304 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Tent campers who want a proper lake base in Itasca State Park will do well here. Sunsets across Lake Itasca, walking distance to Preacher's Grove, and consistently clean facilities make summer worth booking the full 120 days out.

Skip if

Sites run close together, raccoons are a genuine nightly nuisance, and there are no hookups or potable water on-site. RV owners have nothing here, and anyone who needs cell service or a camp store should look elsewhere in the park.

Campgrounds

Itasca State Park

Bear Paw Campground

About Lake Minatare State Recreation Area

Context for the broader area surrounding Bear Paw Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Lake Minatare is a feature of the <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=363">North Platte Project</a>. Managed as a State recreation area by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lake Minatare, with a surface area of 2,158 acres and about 12 miles of shoreline is a part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge. Available species include channel catfish, crappie, small mouth bass, white bass, walleye (15 inch minimum), wipers, and yellow perch. Walleye, channel catfish, and gizzard shad are stocked in the reservoir annually. Motorized boats are permitted. The area is open to the public from Jan. 15 to Sept. 30. A number of Civilian Conservation Corps structures dating to the 1930's exist at Lake Minatare. Included among them is a stone picnic shelter designed to look like a lighthouse. Minatare Dam, constructed between 1912-1915, is a historic structure determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.

Directions

North from Scottsbluff, Nebraska off State Hwy. 71.