Bear Head Lake

Bear Head Lake is a 662-acre lake in St. Louis County near Ely, Minnesota, accessible via a public boat ramp managed by the Department of Natural Resources. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 46 feet and is located about 10 miles southwest of Ely—take Highway 21 west and turn onto Escape Road to reach the access point. This site serves as a convenient launching point for kayakers, canoeists, and motorized boaters exploring the lake and surrounding area.

The lake is known for excellent fishing opportunities and serves as an "entry-level taste" of Boundary Waters recreation. Paddlers will find both backcountry camping options and developed amenities nearby; Bear Island features a sand beach and four backcountry campsites, while resorts operate on other portions of the shoreline. Boat rentals (including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards) are available locally if you don't have your own equipment. Nearby lakes such as Johnson Lake, One Pine Lake, and Whisper Lake offer additional paddling options for multi-day trips.

Bear Island Land has a sand beach and 4 back country campsites. There are resorts on portions of the shoreline on the lake.Nearby lakes include: Johnson Lake, One Pine Lake and Whisper Lake.