Frequently Asked Questions About Bemidji
Where is Bemidji located?
North of the Mississippi River!
113 miles east of Grand Forks, ND on US Hwy 2
143 miles west of Duluth, MN on US Hwy 2
211 miles northwest of Minneapolis, MN
90 miles south of Rainy River, Ontario
112 miles southwest of Fort Frances, Ontario on US Hwy 71
What does Bemidji mean?
Bemidji is derived from the Ojibwe (Chippewa) phrase 'Bay-me-ji-ga-maug' meaning
"flowing through or across", designating the course of the Mississippi River
through Lake Bemidji.
How big is Lake Bemidji?
Lake Bemidji has 14.8 miles of shoreline, covers 6,420 acres and is 76 feet at it
deepest point.
How was Lake Bemidji formed?
Local legend claims the lake is Paul Bunyan's footprint, however geologists claim
it was formed from glacial activity. The Mississippi River flows through the
southern portion. A dam downstream maintains the water level.
Does Lake Bemidji freeze over?
Yes, the average date is November 26.
How tall is the stature of Paul Bunyan and how old is it?
Paul is 18 feet tall (3 times an average man) and it was constructed in 1937.
What is the population of the city?
11, 917 within the city limits. With the adjacent townships the population
is 39,650.
Where is the headwaters of the Mississippi River?
31 miles south of Bemidji on US 71. The headwaters is located in Itasca
State Park.
How does the Mississippi River flow 'north' to Bemidji?
The Northern Continental Divide is located in the area. Water flows north to Hudson
Bay and south to the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River flows north
into Lake Bemidji, then east with the northernmost point of the river east of Lake
Bemidji. It continues in a southeasterly direction to Grand Rapids, Minnesota before
it takes a more southerly direction.
Where can I see a bald eagle?
Lake Bemidji State Park has an active nest, along with the Chippewa National
Forest which has the largest nesting population of bald eagles in the contiguous United
States. Itasca State Park is a likely site and lately, eagles have been sighted
soaring over downtown Bemidji.
Where is the nearest airport?
Bemidji has an airport within the city limits, serviced by Mesaba/Northwest.
Are car rentals available?
Enterprise Car Rental and National Car Rental, both located at the
airport, Merlin Vold Auto and Silver Star Limo.
Which lodging facilities have a restaurant on site?
Hampton Inn & Suites, Super 8 Motel. The other motels have a restaurant within a
block. During the summer months, several resorts serve meals.
Are any casinos in the area?
The Palace in Cass Lake - 15 miles
Northern Lights in Walker - 35 miles
Red Lake Tribal Bingo & Casino - 30 miles
Shooting Star in Mahnomen - 60 miles
What Indian Reservation is in your area and are tours available?
Three Chippewa reservations are in the area, Red Lake, Leech Lake and White
Earth. No tours currently, but since several state roads travel
through them, a portion of them is observable.
Are bicycling trails and bicycle rental available?
Lake Bemidji State Park, Itasca State Park and the Chippewa National Forest offer
paved and mountain bike, marked trails. There are many miles of mountain bike loops through the state
forests. An 8 mile portion of the Paul Bunyan Trail is paved on the east side of Lake
Bemidji with trail head in Lake Bemidji State Park. Bemidji State University Outdoor Program and Itasca State Park have bike
rentals.
Are hiking trails nearby?
Lake Bemidji State Park, Itasca State Park, Chippewa National Forest and the
other area State Forests offer a wide variety of trails and scenery.
How many miles of snowmobile trails are near Bemidji?
Over 500 miles, groomed by the local snowmobile club, with connections to the
rest of the State and Canada.
Are fishing and hunting guides available?
Yes, click this link: Fishing
Guides
or contact the Tourist Information Center at 800-458-2223
When do the leaves turn color?
Average peak season for fall colors is the week of September 22.
Are cross-country ski trails in the area?
Scattered throughout beautiful forests, along rivers and lakes, wind
140 km of
groomed trails.