2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN

Our family camped at Bear Head Lake State Park this weekend.  Located in the great north woods of Minnesota, Bear Head Lake is approximately half way between Tower and Ely.  While the area is known for vast populations of wolves and bears, the only critters we ran into were the three bears at the North American Bear Center, located just south of Ely.

Believe it or not, this was our family's first solo camping trip without the presense of other beloved friends and family members.  The weather was absolutely perfect, there were no troublesome insects, and the food was plentiful.  With the exception of a dead battery in the truck and having run out of beer, every one of us seemed to have a great time.  Things we enjoyed?  Relaxation, swimming at the beach, kayaking the lakes, hiking the trails, geocaching, enjoying the campfire, and stargazing at night.  There are many other gorgeous state parks we'd like to camp but Bear Head Lake has certainly made it to our short-list of places to return.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Entrance to Bear Head Lake State Park Entrance to Bear Head Lake State Park	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Our home for the weekend, campsite #53 Our home for the weekend, campsite #53	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Bart at the campsite Bart at the campsite
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view of Bear Head Lake A view of Bear Head Lake	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view from the beach at Bear Head Lake A view from the beach at Bear Head Lake	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view of Eagles Nest Lake Number Three A view of Eagles Nest Lake Number Three
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view from Bart's boat during the maiden voyage A view from Bart's boat during the maiden voyage	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Molly is a natural at paddling a kayak Molly is a natural at paddling a kayak	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Bart and Molly island geocaching on Eagles Nest Lake Number Three Bart and Molly island geocaching on Eagles Nest Lake Number Three
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura checking out the kayak on dry land Laura checking out the kayak on dry land	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura actually went out in the 12' kayak and held her own Laura actually went out in the 12' kayak and held her own	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura conquered her first kayaking trip Laura conquered her first kayaking trip
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Anna is a reluctant but very skillful paddler Anna is a reluctant but very skillful paddler	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN We were all surprised that Nene got in a kayak, paddled well, and claims to have enjoyed it We were all surprised that Nene got in a kayak, paddled well, and claims to have enjoyed it	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN The Hiking Club password for Bear Head Lake State Park The Hiking Club password for Bear Head Lake State Park