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Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed recreation and administrative sites, campgrounds and designated campsites. The following restrictions apply:
Your stay is limited to 16 days. After this period, your camping equipment and all persons must move to another site at least one mile away, for an additional stay, not to exceed 16 days. Do not block any roads or restrict access to National Forest lands by others. Follow “Leave No Trace” principles (See https://lnt.org/why/7-principles) so that public lands will remain clean and attractive for others to enjoy. Camping in areas posted closed is prohibited. Camping within fifty (50) feet of a body of water is prohibited, unless otherwise posted. (Exceptions include Grand Island National Recreation Area (100 feet from water, cliff edge, private property, trails, other campsites, special use recreation residences or recreation developments) and Big Island Lake Wilderness (200 feet from water). Do not camp at boat launches. Permits are required for these sites: Bass Lake, Bear Lake, Camp Cook, Carr Lake, Chicago Lake, Cookson Lake, Council Lake, Crooked Lake, East Lake, Ewing Point, Gooseneck Lake, lronjaw Lake, Jackpine Lake, Lake Nineteen, Leg Lake, Lyman Lake, McKeever Cabin, Minerva Lake, Mowe Lake, Steuben Lake, Swan Lake, Toms Cabin, and Triangle Lake. On lakes with designated campsites, you may not set up your campsite within 400 feet of the shoreline anywhere on the lake.
The 45 acre Minerva Lake contains largemouth bass and perch. The lake has always enjoyed a good reputation for fishing. No primitive toilet or drinking water are available at this site. There is one primitive campsite located on Minerva Lake. It is located in a small, semi-open area bordered by hardwood trees and hemlocks. It is 40 ft. by 30 ft. and suitable for one family and tents or small trailers due to limited turn around space. Swimming at Minerva Lake is considered to be poor. There is an improved, day use boat access located adjacent to the campsite. It has a gravel base and is recommended for small boats and trailers only. Parking is limited.
$8 / night
Ironjaw Lake is located in the heart of the Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area, which is managed for both motorized and non-motorized uses. Our management efforts seek to provide for quiet, peaceful recreation opportunities in a semi-primitive setting. The campsite is also located on the trail system of the non-motorized Pine Marten Run Trail, which is open to hiking, mountain biking and horse back riding. The campsite at Ironjaw is a pull-through site that also features a tent pad situated on a hill overlooking Lake Nineteen. This site is suitable for only one family with a small trailer. There is limited turnaround space. A primitive toilet is located across the road. There is no drinking water available at this site. The swimming area is poor. The boat access to Ironjaw Lake (62 acres) is down a steep hill but the surface is firm. Turn-around and back-in space at the base of the hill is very limited however, and 4 wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Parking is restricted to a small area located at the top of the hill. Ironjaw Lake is one of the better fishing lakes in the area. Crappie fishing is excellent in the spring. The lake also contains northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill and bullheads. Horse camping is allowed at Ironjaw Lake.
Once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp (established in 1934). Camp Cook offers 4 campsites that can be reserved singly or as a group. The large, grassy opening of site #4 makes it particularly well-suited for group gathering such as scouts or family reunions. It's proximity to the Fishdam River makes it popular among anglers and the drinking water and toilet are ideal for hunters looking to set up camp for deer season.
Even though Chicago Lake (188 acres) is a busy lake you can still see and hear loons. Four campsites and an improved boat launch can be found on Chicago Lake, all clustered around its north end. Site #1 is small (20 ft x 15 ft), heavily wooded and isolated. The access road is poor and a 4 wheel drive and tents are recommended. This site is suitable for one family only and is desired by those looking for privacy from other campers. Swimming is considered to be poor.
Reservations required
$8 / night
Reservations required
$8 / night
There are two primitive campsites located on the 63 acre Jackpine Lake. Jackpine has a reputation for good smallmouth. This is a good lake for smallmouth bass and bluegills. Some large yellow perch and bullheads are present as well. There is no drinking water available at these sites. There is an unimproved boat access located on the south side of the lake near site #1. This access is suitable for small, lightweight boats only. The access road is firm sand with some gravel. This boat access is intended for day-use only. Parking space is limited.
This gorgeous 21 acre lake is nestled down among paper birch, aspen and oak and features one campsite high upon a hill overlooking the lake. A carry-in boat launch is intended to prevent over fishing its excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking. This campsite is small with a very tight turning radius and is suitable for only one family with a tent or small trailer. Swimming is considered marginal with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom.
There are two primitive campsites located on the 25 acre Mowe Lake. The access road is narrow, but capable of handling moderate sized vehicles and trailers. No water is provided at this site, but there is a primitive toilet. Neither site on Mowe Lake has a good swimming area. There is an unimproved access located across from site #2. It has a sand base and is recommended for small boats and trailers only. Mowe Lake contains northern pike, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. Surveys indicate a good, healthy fishery.
Dispersed camping is allowed on Hiawatha National Forest lands except developed recreation and administrative sites, campgrounds and designated campsites. The following restrictions apply:
Your stay is limited to 16 days. After this period, your camping equipment and all persons must move to another site at least one mile away, for an additional stay, not to exceed 16 days. Do not block any roads or restrict access to National Forest lands by others. Follow “Leave No Trace” principles (See https://lnt.org/why/7-principles) so that public lands will remain clean and attractive for others to enjoy. Camping in areas posted closed is prohibited. Camping within fifty (50) feet of a body of water is prohibited, unless otherwise posted. (Exceptions include Grand Island National Recreation Area (100 feet from water, cliff edge, private property, trails, other campsites, special use recreation residences or recreation developments) and Big Island Lake Wilderness (200 feet from water). Do not camp at boat launches. Permits are required for these sites: Bass Lake, Bear Lake, Camp Cook, Carr Lake, Chicago Lake, Cookson Lake, Council Lake, Crooked Lake, East Lake, Ewing Point, Gooseneck Lake, lronjaw Lake, Jackpine Lake, Lake Nineteen, Leg Lake, Lyman Lake, McKeever Cabin, Minerva Lake, Mowe Lake, Steuben Lake, Swan Lake, Toms Cabin, and Triangle Lake. On lakes with designated campsites, you may not set up your campsite within 400 feet of the shoreline anywhere on the lake.
The 45 acre Minerva Lake contains largemouth bass and perch. The lake has always enjoyed a good reputation for fishing. No primitive toilet or drinking water are available at this site. There is one primitive campsite located on Minerva Lake. It is located in a small, semi-open area bordered by hardwood trees and hemlocks. It is 40 ft. by 30 ft. and suitable for one family and tents or small trailers due to limited turn around space. Swimming at Minerva Lake is considered to be poor. There is an improved, day use boat access located adjacent to the campsite. It has a gravel base and is recommended for small boats and trailers only. Parking is limited.
$8 / night
Ironjaw Lake is located in the heart of the Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area, which is managed for both motorized and non-motorized uses. Our management efforts seek to provide for quiet, peaceful recreation opportunities in a semi-primitive setting. The campsite is also located on the trail system of the non-motorized Pine Marten Run Trail, which is open to hiking, mountain biking and horse back riding. The campsite at Ironjaw is a pull-through site that also features a tent pad situated on a hill overlooking Lake Nineteen. This site is suitable for only one family with a small trailer. There is limited turnaround space. A primitive toilet is located across the road. There is no drinking water available at this site. The swimming area is poor. The boat access to Ironjaw Lake (62 acres) is down a steep hill but the surface is firm. Turn-around and back-in space at the base of the hill is very limited however, and 4 wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Parking is restricted to a small area located at the top of the hill. Ironjaw Lake is one of the better fishing lakes in the area. Crappie fishing is excellent in the spring. The lake also contains northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill and bullheads. Horse camping is allowed at Ironjaw Lake.
Reservations required
$8 / night
US National Forest Land borders day-use only land, be cautious of signs and setup camp in the appropriate areas.
