Bemidji Bemidji The first city on the Mississippi
I
t doesn’t get much more Minnesotan than this little city of tall timber, tall tales, lots of plaid, and Paul Bunyan.
Folk tales claim the giant lumberjack created the Mississippi River with his massive footsteps, along with all the area’s lakes. Today, in a nod to these tales, an 18-foot statue of Paul Bunyan stands next to a 5-ton statue of his beloved blue ox, Babe, on the shores of Lake Bemidji. They are believed to be the second-most photographed roadside attraction in the nation, behind only Mount Rushmore.
TRAILS FOR ALL The city and surrounding area boast an extensive trail network, with over 440,000 forested acres in Beltrami County. There are nine cross-country ski trail systems in the vicinity for all skill levels. The city also serves as a hub for two major trail systems: The 100-mile Paul Bunyan Trail connects Bemidji to Brainerd, and the 110-mile Blue Ox Trail extends from Bemidji to International Falls. During the summer, bicyclists, runners and walkers frequent the trails, while snowmobilers enjoy them once the snow flies.
HOW BEMIDJI GOT ITS NAME
Breath-taking natural beauty surrounds Bemidji, with over 400 crystal clear fishing lakes in the region. Fishing, boating, swimming and other water activities are a big draw for visitors, as are the area’s extensive trail systems, golf courses, hunting opportunities and more.
Considered “the first city on the Mississippi River,” Bemidji’s name derives from its connection to the great river. The Anishinaabe people, who were the first residents of the area, named the city “Bemejigamaug,” which means “a lake with water flowing through it” in the Ojibwe language. The name refers to the Mississippi, which flows across Lake Bemidji before turning south.
There are area parks to enjoy and public beaches maintained at Diamond Point and Cameron parks. Winter recreation is provided by a curling arena, two municipal skating rinks and Buena Vista Ski Area.
To learn more about Bemidji’s rich history, visit the Bemidji County History Center, located in the Great Northern Depot downtown. Check out more than 105,000 pieces of American Indian and settlement artifacts there, along with old maps, newspapers and photographs.
68 | 2022 DESTINATIONS
