Big Bog State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Big Bog State Park, also known as Big Bog State Recreation Area, is a new addition to the Minnesota State Park system. This 9,459-acre park officially became a state park in 2002 after a successful grassroots effort to conserve the land was completed. This park opened in 2006 and is situated in a large wetland area, providing a unique experience for visitors. A raised boardwalk, the Bog Walk, enables visitors to explore one mile into the bog and the open wetlands. In addition to nature watching, Big Bog State Park is on the Tamarac River, which provides numerous water activities during the spring and summer months.
Spring 15 - 66 F
Summer 52 - 79 F
Fall 19 - 67 F
Winter -3 - 21 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Big Bog State Park
Big Bog Campground is the lone campground within the park. It features 31 sites and is located along the Tamarac River, where campers will find numerous docks available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground includes a boat launch for access to the river, a restroom and shower area, and a fish cleaning station. There are 26 campsites that offer electrical hookups, while the others are non-electric. The maximum RV length for the campground is 60 feet. Each campsite offers a fire ring with a grill and a picnic table and is pet-friendly.
What to Do at
Big Bog State Park
Big Bog State Park is a fisherman's dream while simultaneously offering nature lovers a unique experience. The park is separated into two areas: a northern and a southern unit. The northern unit features a 500-square-mile peat bog. A one-mile-long boardwalk enables visitors to get a close-up view of the unique plants and wildlife that live in this habitat, while the southern unit provides a more typical camping experience with a sandy beach, picnic area, and fishing opportunities.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular year-round activity within the park. Spring is typically the best time to catch walleye and northern pike, while panfish can be caught at Ludlow Pond in the northern unit.
Nature Watching
Big Bog State Park offers excellent nature-watching opportunities if you are not much of an athlete. Moose, black bears, gray wolves, foxes, and white-tailed deer have been spotted within the park, while the bog provides a home to more than 300 species of birds. Numerous amphibians, such as snapping turtles, gray treefrogs, spotted blood salamanders, and northern leopard frogs, can be found in this swampy area.
Stargazing
The night sky within Big Bog State Park offers a terrific stargazing opportunity. Light pollution, common in big cities, is minimal within the park, while the open air of Upper Red Lake allows viewing of the night sky without obstructions.
Flora
There is a wide variety of trees within the park, such as tamarack, tag alder, cedar, white spruce, and jack pine. Visitors will also find unique plants such as carnivorous sundews and pitcher plants.
Hiking
Four different hiking trails within the park add up to 4.5 miles in length. Each unit has two different trails, with the Old Marina Trail in the southern unit being the only one that is an out-and-back trail and not a loop.
Boating
Boating is encouraged within the park. There are three different boat launches. One is located in the campground, while the other two are on the northern side of the Tamarac River, just past the campground. Campers will find several docks within the campground available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Swimming
A designated swim area is found to the immediate left of the park entrance. This swim area is located on Upper Red Lake and provides access to a picnic area and vault toilets.
How to Get to
Big Bog State Park
Big Bog State Park is located at 55716 MN-72, Waskish, MN 56685. If you are traveling to the park from Bemidji, MN, you will need to take US Hwy 71 N until you reach MN-72. Continue onto MN-72 until you reach MN-72N/State Hwy 1 E, where you will turn right. Take this road for about five miles and then turn left onto MN-72 N. This road takes you straight to the park, where the entrance will be on your right, just after you pass through Waskish Township.
Entering Big Bog State Park
The park is open daily from 8 am to 10 pm and requires a Minnesota State Park vehicle permit. Once you enter the park off of MN-72 N, you will turn left to head towards the campground. Access to the northern unit and the two boat launches not located in the campground are off MN-72 N. The swimming area, Red Lake Beach Trail, and Old Marina Trail are on the opposite side of MN-72 N than the campground, where Upper Red Lake is located.
Minnesota State Park permit (single day) : $7.0
Minnesota State Park permit (annual) : $35.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Big Bog State Park
The best time of year to visit the park is during the warm summer months. This will allow you to view all of the unique wildlife that lives in the bog located in the northern unit while also enjoying the terrific fishing opportunities.
Numerous amphibians can be spotted while walking along the boardwalk in the bog. Moose, white-tailed deer, foxes, gray wolves, and black bears have also been spotted in the park.
Yes, RV camping spots are available in the Big Bog Campground. There is a max RV length of 60 feet.
Yes, you must reserve a camping spot for your stay, which can be done online. If you need an electric hookup, the cost is $33 per night. A non-electric site costs $23 per night.
Yes, pets are welcome within Big Bog State Park but must be kept on a six-foot leash and remain under control at all times.