National and State Parks - Recreational Areas
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Lake Bemidji State Park
State Park Information
State Park Overview
Nature of the Area
Located in a pine-moraine region of Minnesota, the park contains a mixture of plant communities from the mixed red and white pine uplands to jack pine barrens. The park also contains fine examples of conifer bog that includes some of Minnesotas most unusual plants and animals. A quarter mile long boardwalk leads into one of these areas so that visitors can observe pitcher plants, insect eating sundews, orchids and
other plants.
The park landscape is the result of the last stage of glaciation in Minnesota. Sand, gravel and
rock material carried by the glacier as it moved south was eventually deposited as the ice receded 10,000 years ago. The parks rolling topography was created by uneven deposits of this glacial till. Meltwater from the glacier also played a role in creating the present shape of the land. Many of the swamps and bogs in the park were formed when chunks of ice separated form the receding glacier and left depressions which later filled with water. Lake Bemidji itself is the result of ice left behind by the retreating glacier.
The diversity of vegetation in the park supports many wildlife species. Birdwatching is a favorite activity with hobbyists spotting red-eyed and warbling vireos, rose-breasted grosbeaks and
many other forest songsters. Loons, eagles, herons, even osprey can be seen on the lake. Hikers often come across deer, porcupine, squirrels and
chipmunks and even spot the occasional black bear. In the evening, visitors are treated to the sounds of gray treefrogs, spring peepers and
chorus of wood frogs. The sound of the barred owl, the flute-like song of the veery and
the hammering of a pileated woodpecker all add to the wilderness experience.
History of the Area
More Info
Lake Bemidji State Park