Big Bog State Recreation Area, a recent addition to the Minnesota state park system, is located on Minnesota State Highway 72, north of Waskish, Minnesota. It covers 9,459 acres (38.3 km2), primarily swamps, bogs, and upland "islands".Use our Waskish travel route planner to arrange your visit to Big Bog State Recreation Area and other attractions in Waskish.
The park was started by local grassroots efforts in 2002, it became a state recreation area and officially opened in June 2006.
The "Big Bog" is composed mostly of wetlands. The name was not widely used but had shown up previously in maps, such as by the National Geographic Society. The greater Big Bog region stretches from jackpine forests north of Upper Red Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota and Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota to the communities along U.S. Route 71 leading to International Falls (Mizpah, Gemmell, Margie, Big Falls, and Littlefork) in Koochiching County, Minnesota. This includes much of the Pine Island State Forest and two National Natural Areas: Upper Red Lake Peatland, and the Lost River Peatland. It is also almost entirely unpopulated, except for the town of Waskish along Highway 72.
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Big Bog State Recreation Area reviews
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We loved the bog hike and the beach across from the South Unit and campground. It was well-worth the 4+ hour drive for us. The campground sites however are fairly crowded together with little...
We loved the bog hike and the beach across from the South Unit and campground. It was well-worth the 4+ hour drive for us. The campground sites however are fairly crowded together with little... more »
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It's a very beautiful, quiet, and peaceful area. The showers are nice as well as the toilets. My wife and I stopped in to see the stars and we really got an amazing view. I really love this place.
It's a very beautiful, quiet, and peaceful area. The showers are nice as well as the toilets. My wife and I stopped in to see the stars and we really got an amazing view. I really love this place. more »
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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.🙂
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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!
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