Bemidji

Bemidji is a city in northern Minnesota, United States, that stretches along the southwestern shore of Lake Bemidji. The settlement connects residential neighborhoods with forested shoreline and water access points.

The railroad reached the area in the late 1800s and turned the location into a hub for the timber industry. The connection between rail and water helped the settlement grow into a regional center.

The city's name comes from the Ojibwe language and means "lake that crosses," a reference to the way water moves through the area. Visitors can see this connection in the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues that stand near the lakeshore.

The city sits about four hours north of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area and is accessible by major highways. Visitors will find lodging, restaurants, and shops near the lakeshore.

The nearby headwaters of the Mississippi River sit just a short drive away and mark the start of the longest river system in North America. Many travelers combine a visit to the city with a trip to this symbolic starting point.

Location: Beltrami County

Elevation above the sea: 416 m

Website: https://ci.bemidji.mn.us

GPS coordinates: 47.47361,-94.88028

Latest update: December 12, 2025 21:31