Proving that creature comforts matter even when you’re roughing it, a restroom inside Bear Head Lake State Park near Ely, Minn., is a national winner.
An annual “best restroom” award from bathroom products company Cintas went to the park’s restroom and shower building for its “thoughtful design in a stunning setting.”
The fully accessible layout and outside dishwashing sinks made it a popular choice in the public-voting contest.
The building is only a year old, and replaced one from the 1960s, said Sara Berhow, with the parks and trails division of the Department of Natural Resources.
Interior of restroom at Bear Head Lake State Park, named best in the nation by Cintas in 2025. (DNR/Courtesy of Department of Natural Resources)
She said the outdoor sinks are not only a nice amenity, but they also prevent people from tossing dirty dishwater into the woods at a campsite. That protects plant life and helps keep wildlife from sniffing around.
New individual shower rooms are better for young families and people with disabilities, she said.
Bear Head Lake State Park restroom. (Cintas Corp.)
Cintas said Bear Head facilities “raise expectations for public spaces everywhere.”
The park restroom is one of several updated last year and this year throughout the state. The Bear Head building project cost $1.8 million.