Bena Minnesota Map

About Bena, Minnesota

Bena is a locality in Cass County, Minnesota, United States. It is a small community with a population of 79. The population density is 45.1 people per km². Bena is located at 47.3408°N, 94.2072°W. It observes the Central Time (America/Chicago) timezone. ZIP code: 56626.

Bena rests on the edge of the vast northern Minnesota landscape, where the land begins its slow, deliberate rise towards the watershed that will eventually feed both the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes. It lies 32.5 miles west-northwest of Grand Rapids, MN (from Grand Rapids, MN: bearing 283°T), and is situated 32.8 miles east-southeast of Bemidji. The air here carries the scent of pine needles and damp earth, a fragrance intensified by the long, deep winters that have shaped this region. Patches of dense forest, a mix of birch and balsam fir, give way to more open expanses dotted with pothole lakes, their surfaces often mirroring the expansive, pale blue sky. The ground itself is a mosaic of dark, rich soil and the occasional sandy outcropping, hinting at the glacial past. Even in summer, a cool, almost crisp quality persists in the early mornings and late evenings, a subtle reminder of the powerful seasons. The story of Bena is one of hardy souls drawn by the promise of the North Woods and the resources it held. Early Scandinavian settlers, drawn by the familiar feel of the forested terrain, laid down roots alongside the Ojibwe people who had long called this land home. The economy, for a time, was deeply entwined with the timber industry, the rhythmic clang of axes and the rumble of logging trucks a familiar sound. Today, while logging still plays a part, Bena's character is also defined by its proximity to the Mississippi headwaters, a source of pride and a draw for travelers seeking the origins of America's great river. The lakes, once vital for transporting logs, are now havens for quiet recreation, their waters reflecting the enduring spirit of this northern outpost.

About This Bena Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of Bena, Minnesota — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 47.340788, -94.20718. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on Bena and Cass County.

Detailed location data for Bena includes the ZIP code (56626), telephone area code (320), county seat of Cass County (Walker), and school district assignment (Cass Lake-Bena Public Schools). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct Bena is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.