Paul Bunyan & Babe
This live camera looks onto the well-known Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues in Bemidji, Minnesota, United States, where the oversized figures stand right at the edge of a small park near the lakefront. The scene feels open and grounded, with cars rolling past, people stopping for photos, and the visitor center just behind the statues.
Bemidji, Minnesota, United States
US- Bemidji, Minnesota
- Bemidji, MN
- Bemidji, Minn.
Bemidji is a city in and the county seat of Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States. It lies on the southwest shore of Lake Bemidji, which is the northernmost lake feeding the Mississippi River. This geographic position has earned it the nickname "The First City on the Mississippi." The city serves as a central hub for three Indian reservations: Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake, making it a significant site for Native American services including the Indian Health Service.
Beltrami County was established in 1866, and Bemidji Township was surveyed by European Americans in 1874. The village of Bemidji was chartered in 1896, with Freeman and Besty Doud becoming the first homesteaders. Shaynowishkung, an Ojibwe leader, moved to the area in 1882 and became the first permanent settler. The name derives from the Ojibwe word for a lake with crossing waters, though early settlers misunderstood this as his personal name.
The city is defined by its timber history and folkloric associations. Thomas Barlow Walker and the Pillsbury family invested heavily in timber in 1874, making lumber production the major industry until the mid-twentieth century. Bemidji claims to be the alleged birthplace of Paul Bunyan, featuring a statue unveiled in 1937 that is considered the second most photographed roadside attraction in America. The city also hosts the Bemidji State University and Concordia Language Village.
Cultural attractions include the Paul Bunyan Triathlon and the Minnesota Finlandia Ski Marathon held annually. The Watermark Art Festival, formerly Art in the Park, features over 100 artists and draws roughly 4,000 visitors each summer. Dragon Boat races take place in early August, while the Bemidji Polar Days winter festival includes curling, pond hockey, and a polar plunge. The city is also self-proclaimed as the "curling capital" of the United States.
The population was 14,574 as of the 2020 census, with an estimated 15,770 in 2025. It remains a commercial center between Grand Forks and Duluth, with an economy supported by wood industry plants like Georgia-Pacific. Access is provided via U.S. Routes 2 and 71, Minnesota State Highways 89 and 371, Bemidji Municipal Airport, and nearby Amtrak service. The climate features short warm summers and long severe winters, with average annual snowfall of 46.7 inches.
The EARF Engine
