Home of Paul and Babe.
Bemidji, MN is located in the heart of northern Minnesota. A true “up north” town with the amenities of a regional hub city. Bemidji is the home of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Bemidji State University, Concordia Language Village and vast recreational, outdoor, sporting, festival and cultural opportunities.
Year-round Recreation
The Bemidji area offers boating, camping, golfing, swimming, fishing, hunting, and miles of trails for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing opportunities. Area State Parks include Big Bog, Lake Bemidji, Norway Beach and Lake Itasca where you can step across the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi.
An Area of Natural Beauty
Many State Forests and trails, the Chippewa National Forest, and an abundance of lakes including Lake Andrusia, Big Bass Lake, Lake Bemidji, Turtle River Chain, Big Turtle Lake, Cass Lake, Grace Lake, Gull Lake, Lake Irving, Lake Julia, Lake Marquette, Kabekona Lake, Mississippi River, Leech Lake, Lake Marquette, Lake Movil, Upper Red Lake, Turtle River Lake, Big Wolf and Little Wolf Lakes. These lakes and rivers provide fantastic fishing opportunities for Minnesota’s favorite – walleye – along with crappie, bass, northern pike, perch and sunfish. Plus, our majestic waterways are perfect for play – whether boating, swimming, water skiing, tubing, canoeing and kayaking!
Regional Hub
Bemidji not only is a vacation destination, but also serves as a regional hub for northern Minnesota. Bemidji itself has a population of 14,000 and expands to a regional population of 40,000. Bemidji benefits as a regional hub with expanded healthcare services, educational opportunities and a regional airport. Bemidji also serves as a regional shopping, dining and entertainment center.
Curling Capital USA!
Even Paul Bunyan has a bronze medal to call his own, after the Men’s Olympic Curling Team won the Bronze at the 2005 Olympics in Turin, Italy. Bemidji has the distinction of being the only community in the United States with both the men’s and women’s Olympic teams from the same town. Come to Bemidji and learn a new sport in a community aptly named “Broomtown” by Minnesota Public Radio!
Surrounding Counties
Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, and Itasca.
Surrounding Communities
Bagley, Blackduck, Cass Lake, Clearbrook, Fosston, Gonvick, Guthrie, Hines, Kelliher, Laporte, Leonard, Northome, Pennington, Puposky, Shevlin, Solway, Tenstrike & Walker.