Bemidji Regional Airport is used by general aviation and Skywest Airlines as Delta Connection for Delta Airlines. At the end of 2021 the airport had 13,756 aircraft operations, averaging 38 a day, that being 72% general aviation, 11% airline, 13% air taxi, and 4% military. As of 2021, there are 38 Single-engined aircraft, 31 multi-engined, and 3 helicopters. As of 2023, there are only two cargo airlines operating in and out of Bemidji. Bemidji Aviation, and FedEx Feeder operated by Cooperate Air. Bemidji is also one of only four locations for Sanford health medevac, which happens to be one of the helicopters stationed in Bemidji.

Written by Adam Loebs. Last change: July 2025 – Spot 6 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
07/25	1.737 m (5.700 ft) Asphalt
13/31	2.135 m (7.004 ft) Asphalt
Terminals	There is one small terminal for all schedule pax flights.
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed at any of the locations.
Car/Public Transport	No public transport around. Some spots are in walking distance from the terminal but we recommend the use of a car to reach the spots.
Drinks/Food	There are plenty of option east of the airport. Gas stations, Walmart, Fast Food…
Hotels	There is a Quality Inn directly at the terminal. From the Best Western you can snap the 31 movements.
Season	Winter is probably not the best time, as we have very cold -20 degress F. Hazy summers from wildfires. Summers get pretty hot.
Security	Police might ask for ID, security will ask you questions. We recommend to call the airport 218-444-2438 and tell them that you are out for spotting.
Runway Usage
13/32	Is the longer runway so it gets used by bigger aircraft more often. Both arrivals/departures
07/25	Is general aviation mostly. Both arrivals/departures

	Spot #1 – Highway Road – 07 arrivals
WHERE	Drive westwards on the Highway 2 from the terminal and turn right into the Cardinal Rd. Park either on the north or the south of the highway by the roadside, depending on the sun’s position.
WHAT	Best for arrivals on runway 07 and partially 25 departures.
TIME	From the southern part from sunrise until afternoon. Northern part only in the summer evenings, backlit in the winter.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. People along the highway right next to you might find you suspicious, and subsequently calling the police. Security/ airport mangement might ask you what you are doing if you don’t have permission to be there so call them in advance.
FOCAL LENGTH	200mm for bigger aircraft. 300mm for smaller aircraft.

BJI-Spot1

BJI-Spot1

BJI-Spot1

BJI-Spot1

	Spot #2 – Hills – 07 Movements
WHERE	Drive westwards on the Highway 2 from the terminal and turn right into the Cardinal Rd. After passing the approach path of runway 7 turn right again into a dirt road. Park somewhere in this area and walk to some mounds right next to the 07 threshold. Due to the elevated position you have a clear view of the runway but you can photograph through the fence as well. Update March 2024: Spot #2 is undergoing some construction. It seems they will be building some hangars/buildings over there. They are ripping down trees and there is a bunch of logging equipment. So if I were you, I wouldn’t go to that spot anytime soon UNTIL they are done building whatever they are building. Then you could try that spot again but it may be a risk.
WHAT	Best for all movements on runway 7 and parked aircraft on the ramp nearby. 25 departures can be seen but might be too high.
TIME	Line-ups from around noon until sunset. Arrivals only in the summer evenings.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Security/ airport mangement might ask you what you are doing if you don’t have permission to be there so call them in advance.
FOCAL LENGTH	200mm for bigger aircraft. 300mm for smaller aircraft.

BJI-Spot2

BJI-Spot2

BJI-Spot2

BJI-Spot2

BJI-Spot2

BJI-Spot2

	Spot #3 – Cardinal Rd – 13 arrivals + 31 departures
WHERE	From the previous spots continue northwards on Cardinal Rd until you can see the threshold of runway 13. Park by the roadside to take the pictures.
WHAT	Best for arrivals on runway 13 and partially 31 departures.
TIME	Good light from early noon until evening.
MISC.	Nothing nearby. Security/ airport mangement might ask you what you are doing if you don’t have permission to be there so call them in advance.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-500mm B738 = 70mm

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

BJI-Spot3

	Spot #4 – Walmart – 31 arrivals
WHERE	There is a Walmart at the eastern end of the airport. Just get on the parking lot and search for your favorite location.
WHAT	Best for arrivals on 31. Most 13 departures are already too high.
TIME	In the morning hours only.
MISC.	Everything you need is within the supermarket. Fast Food restaurant s are nearby too. Maybe some nosey people asking you questions.
FOCAL LENGTH	400mm for biggger Aircraft. 500mm for general aviation.

BJI-Spot4

BJI-Spot4

BJI-Spot4

	Spot #5 – L&M Fleet parking lot – 31 arrivals
WHERE	L&M Fleet Supply parking lot. It can be easily accessed by car via 197. Just pull in to the parking lot and find the spot that’s best for you.
WHAT	Best for arrivals on 31. Most 13 departures are already too high.
TIME	From noon until sunset.
MISC.	Bathrooms in the store, as well as some beverages and snacks. I haven’t had any problems with people/police, but just know you are in a public parking lot. So there MIGHT be some nosey people if you are there for a long time, but you’ll be fine as long as you only get out of your car to take pictures. Be aware that due to plenty power lines running around here, spotting a free window can be a bit tricky.
FOCAL LENGTH	Smaller aircraft: 300-400mm Larger aircraft 90-200mm

BJI-Spot5

BJI-Spot5

BJI-Spot5

	Spot #6 – Star Ln NW – 13 arrivals
WHERE	Head along the same road as spot #3, but instead keep heading north until you come to a four way stop. Take a right onto Balsam Rd NW. Keep driving till you see a green road sign that says “STAR LN NW”. Turn down said Star LN NW, and drive down it till you reach the dead end. Park wherever you so please.
WHAT	Runway 13 arrivals and line-ups
TIME	From sunrise until noon for the arrivals. In the winter only in the early morning. For line-up in the summer evenings only. Heat haze can also be an issue during the summer months.
MISC.	Bring a sizable stepladder, as the fence is quite high (7-8ft) for line-ups. Bugs can be a little annoying at times, so bring bug spray if you so please.. try to park in the grass, just incase a car comes by to make a u-turn (almost never happens but just in case).
FOCAL LENGTH	100-500mm should be just fine. GA tends to be 350mm+, whilst larger aircraft are anywhere between 100-200mm. At least 400-600mm for taxiway shots!

BJI-Spot6

BJI-Spot6

BJI-Spot6