At-A-Glance: Exploring Bemidji – Fun and Food
Bemidji is the first city on the Mississippi and is a Bike Friendly Community located on the south shoreline of Lake Bemidji. At the Visitor Center, the famous statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox will greet you to the area. Visiting this bronze level bike friendly community, you will find many scenic county roads and miles of paved trails for touring. For the more adventurous folk who look forward to exploring Bemidji with some adrenaline, there are mountain bike parks for off road fun!
Where to Bike
Explore Bemidji and enjoy the beauty of the lakes and forests around the area. From Lake Bemidji State Park, the Paul Bunyan Trail passes through the area on the north end of the lake. The trail is a part of a 110 mile paved rail-bed route that leads south into Crow Wing County. For road riding, choose from many scenic loops. You can follow sections of the Mississippi River Trail and parts of the Chippewa National Forest. For mountain bikers, there are miles of varying terrains both through state forests and on old logging roads in the Chippewa National Forest. If you’re looking for more challenging terrain, check out parks like Movil Maze.
Available Maps
HaveFunBiking’s Area Map
Lake Bemidji State Park’s Map (Mountain Biking)
Montebell’s Map (Mountain Biking)
Buena Vista’s Map (Mountain Biking)
Walk/Hiking Opportunities
City Parks
Itasca State Park (Also includes Mountain Biking)
Area Bike Shops, Clubs and Shuttle Services:
(218) 266-2150
Shuttle Service
218-224-3519
This is not a physical address. Do not go to this point!
Tues/Thurs evening rides May - Sept. All skill levels welcome.
218-751-1630
218-755-2999
218-333-8891
218-751-2453
Northern Cycle | 117 Third St. N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-751-2453
The Bike Guy Ski and Bicycle Shop | 423 Beltrami Ave. N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-333-8891
Bemidji State University’s Outdoor Program Center (Diamond Point Park) | 220 19th Street NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-755-2999
Ruttger’s Birchmont Lodge | 7598 Bemidji Road NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-751-1630
Itasca Sports Rental for Itasca State Park | 15441 Main Park Drive, Lake Itasca, MN 56470 | 218-266-2160
Bemidji Bike Club offering Tuesday/Thursday evening rides May – September with all skill levels welcome | 218-333-8891
Where to Play
(218) 751-7333
(218) 759-1533
218-333-3630
(218) 444-6684
218-751-2153
Bemidji Bowl | 3455 Laurel Drive N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-751-2153
Bemidji Movie Theater | Highway 2 West, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-444-6684
Paintball Laser Tag | 1706 Paul Bunyan Dr. S.E., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-333-3630
Paul Bunyan Animal Land | 3857 Animal Land Dr. S.E., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-751-7333
Putt-n-Go Amusement Park | 15802 U.S. Highway 59th South, Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-751-7333
Other Attractions and Points of Interest
Paul Bunyan and Babe at the Visitors Center
Where to Eat
(218) 444-2899
café and bar
(218) 444-0567
Irish Pub
(218) 444-8212
Authentic Mexican
(218) 586-5827
American Restaurant
From the deli at Lueken’s Grocery to the elegant Turtle River Chop House, the area also offers several interesting and charming cafes. Additionally, there are great coffee and ice cream shops.
The Cabin Coffee House | 214 3rd St. N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-444-2899
Brigid’s Pub | Menu | 317 Beltrami Ave. N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-444-0567
Turtle River Chop House | 468 Bemidji Road N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 | 218-586-5827
Where to Sleep
When exploring Bemidji, you want to ensure that you have a great place to rest after all that adventuring.
Public Wi-Fi spots
Along with most hotels, many coffee shops and restaurants have Wi-Fi available. The public library is also good option.
The Bemidji Public Library is located at 509 America Ave. N.W., Bemidji, MN 56601 and can be reached by phone at this number: 218-751-3963.
See the Bemidji Tourism Bureau for more detailed information.