Big Bog State Recreation Area Southern Unit

Sarah G.

2024-04

I can only rate the experience of the boardwalk and the educational signage along the walk. This experience was beautiful and peaceful. I learned a lot about the types of plants and their uses, and the fact that we went in early spring before bugs made the experience even more enjoyable. The pitcher plants were just livening up and were way interesting, and the moss was lush. Also, the boardwalk itself and how it was built was super cool.

Bernadette Aguilera - Realtor

2023-10

Wow! This place is other worldly! The mile long bog walk is great! Check out an unusual biome. So many mushrooms, red peet moss, and spindley pine trees. Fall is the perfect time to go...no mosquitoes! The bog walk is about 10 miles from the visitor center. Close to the visitor center is the campgrounds. It is sweet with a bunch of electric sites and some on the water. Across the road is the beach area on Red Lake. Beach is soft sand and the lake is massive, peaceful and beautiful. Would be a great place to bring the boat and fish! Fish cleaning station at campgrounds as well. Would definately recommend.

K. Reid

2023-07

We did the bog walk pretty quick out and back because there was a storm coming. But this year we camped in the big bog Campground and I did the Hundred Foot fire tower 135 steps. It was a beautiful view from the top.Restrooms: Nice sites, not very level, but we travel with leveling blocks, so we were fine. Clean bathrooms with nice warm water for showers. Bugs weren't as bad as we thought they'd be. The staff in the visitors center were super friendly and very knowledgeable!

Gretchen Gosnell

2022-05

Beautiful 1-mile hike along the bogs boardwalk. Stay in the cabins if you can. They are well kept and cozy. There is lots of information on the boardwalk and much to learn about the largest peat bog in the lower 48. Be sure to check out the fishing on Red Lake too!

Lara V

2023-05

Amazing Minnesota experience. Although the bog in mid September isn't nearly as active as it would have been in May (less birds and wildflowers), there was still many things to look at. The cabins were clean, comfortable and far enough a part for privacy

Jessica Adams-Rosa

2023-05

Simply delightful. I have one older dog that had to be toted the entire way and another that was a trooper but had to be carried out as well. Definitely bring water, the shade gets very sparse.

Michael Karsh

2022-05

This manual s out 3rd visit to the park over the years, our first with an RV . The electric sites and campground are well maintained. Well appointed. We have also stayed in the camper cabins and tent camped; all were good experiences. We especially enjoy hiking in the north section, and can't highly enough recommend the long boardwalk there. Finally, visitor center is top notch, be sure to climb the fire tower!!!

Brian Fay

2022-05

Let me first say this State park is a last of its kind to true woods and wilderness!!!! This is the best state park I went too. This place is absolutely beautiful and true retreat from every day life. Had a blast fishing and my wife even caught a turtle accidentally!! We absolutely loved the fire tower with its breath taking views. The staff here like all state parks are the nicest and friendly ever!!! Is that why they call us Minnesota nice? If you love to camp like me and my wife you will absolutely love this park. Be sure to go to the swimming beach and take a dip in upper red lake. The water is the cleanest I have ever seen. I absolutely love this park and me and my wife will return here one day to enjoy this one of a kind park.🙂

Wyatt W. Penke

2023-05

This place is amazing. Has a small campground on the Tammarack river and access to Red Lake where you can leave your boat in the water while you camp. Has a few camper cabins, a fire tower, swim beach and day use area, and a small visitor center. There is a few hiking trails plus a 1 mile elevated bog walk on the biggest peat moss bog in the lower 48 at the North unit. You will find a few plants unique to this environment.

Robert

2023-08

One of the most unique experiences in Minnesota. Well, it's worth a visit. Easy walk. Well maintained. If you are in this area, it's worth a look.

Karene Barker

2022-05

The campground was pleasant enough along the Tamarac River. We had site 21 which was the nicest by far but not riverside. Those were small and cramped. We were there to do the Bog boardwalk which was very interesting and beautiful. The town of Waskish had a cool little museum park that we enjoyed very much too.

Kristine Schwartz

2023-08

Beautiful place! It was very hot so the pup and I only did the bog walk, but I loved it!

Kristie Flanagan

2020-05

Learn from my mistakes: cover as much of your skin as possible. The biting flies at the boardwalk entrance were horrible, but once the trees became sparse, it felt otherworldly. I only encountered about 5 other people in the 3 hours I spent here. Never saw or heard a single (non-insect) animal, or car or plane. I came specifically hoping to see sundews, and although you have to really get down and look to see them, I was not disappointed. I think I was too late in the year to catch most of the flowers, though. Even with all of the fly bites, I was very glad I made this trip. The park's visitor center is incredibly nice.

Mahdi D

2019-05

Went for Thanksgiving & stayed in the cabins. Very clean everything (cabin, bathroom and park area). Very close to Upper Red Lake (walking distance). The Big Bog walkway is a must in any season. Walking, fishing the Upper Red Lake also a must. I will definitely come back. The cabin can sleep 6 easily. Enjoy them in the winter with a very efficient heater.

KnD Gale

2023-07

Big Bog offers a quiet, peaceful experience we were seeking. Fishing, hiking, swimming, and canoeing were all available and enjoyed! Friendly helpful staff added to our wonderful visit!

Jessica Williams

2020-05

Nice area with a Sandy Beach great for wading in. Campground is mostly electric sites, and the tent sites are quite close, so not very private. However they are right on the water. There are socks available along the river to tie up boats. Boat launch is right in the campground. Also has a fire tower with views of the lake and hiking trails and bog walk about ten minute drive. Lots of lady slippers blooming in June!

Blackfox 288

2022-05

Really enjoyed the bog walk and wished I had more time to see the other 2 trails. It always amazes me what nature can do in order to survive. Super glad that draining operations never succeeded so we can still enjoy the land.

Max Cepelak

2020-05

I have so much to say but can't say it all this is a amazing place with so much to see the people we saw seemed very friendly the trails are grate and the camp ground is awesome it's a quite one tho but that's good. The big bog trail is amazing and fun to look for all the plants and animals!

Peggy Gawarecki

2024-04

Did you like the Big Bog State Park, if so please call your legislators TO VOTE NO TO HOUSE BILL 4780 & SENATE HOUSE BILL 5080, so it remains as a MN State Park for everyone to use the resource and not given to Red Lake Nation where they will close it for their own use only as they are a closed nation.

Chaz Nakamoto

2019-05

River looks nice but has no fish.Bog walk is a must, lots of pitcher plants but didn’t see any round lead sundews.

Tracy T

2023-05

The tower is awesome. 138 steps to the top. Amazing view! The boardwalk was also worth taking!

Molly Jones

2023-05

Awesome place! Nice campground. Nice for a day visit. Best fishing!!

Nate Nelly

2019-05

This place is really nice during the winter time. There is no water, but heat! The bathrooms and showers are on point.Would recommend to bring your own sheets, pillow and blikents as there are none. The beds are ok for sleeping. These cabins are very clean. Would recommend you book you site early.

Jon Keller

2024-05

Well worth the visit if in the area. Beautiful sites.

Matt Didley

2020-05

Amazing campground with kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals between the tamarack river and upper Red Lake, we actually saw a young moose right by the campground...so cool.

Brian Baysinger

2023-10

Really interesting walk. Excited about the picture plant

Colin Engstrom

2023-08

Jam packed. Nice clean park overall. But boy were sites jammed together. Laid.out in a very weird orientation. I could have sat at my picnic table and talked to 2 different sites. There seemed to be no enforcement of how many vehicles/trailers/ tents a site could have so everyone was spilling out of their site on to the grass or the site next to them. Nice shower house and access to the river and Red Lake.Restrooms: Modern with separate showrooms.Dog-friendliness: Lots of dogs. Several clean up areas.Picnic area: Nice areas with picnic tables and in ground fire pits.

Joshua Cordle

2019-05

Quaint and quiet. Tent spaces, RV parking, and cabins to choose from. Boat launch. Requires a state park pass. Very well kept. Awesome place to visit and fish.

Sarah

2021-05

The highway is really loud. Great staff, awesome view of the stars, no issues with the facilities.

Beth “RamboBeth” Y

2023-05

Visiting the big bog north area is a unique experience and very educational. The boardwalk was really cool with lots of interpretive signs. However after about 3/4 of a mile I hadn't seen anything new for quite a while so I turned around and went back. The weather was breezy and we had absolutely no problem with bugs. I'm happy I went there because it's such a unique place!