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Birch Lakes State Forest Campground

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Water enthusiasts will find plenty to do at Birch Lakes State Forest Campground, where Birch Lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, canoeing, and jet skiing. The campground operates seasonally from May through October within the state forest, offering both drive-in sites that accommodate RVs up to 40 feet and walk-in sites for those seeking more privacy.

Sites are scattered throughout the wooded area with fire rings and picnic tables, connected by pathways that work well for groups camping together. The campground includes several pit toilets, dumpsters, and water fill stations distributed across the property. A boat launch provides lake access, while a small swimming beach gives families another water option. Bruce F. notes the campground has "tons of trees around each site" and describes the lake as offering multiple recreational activities.

Registration operates on a self-service system at $17 per night, with envelopes available at the entrance for first-come, first-served sites. Reservations are also available for advance planning. The campground tends to stay relatively uncrowded even during holiday weekends, though the lake itself can get busy with boat traffic. Trails wind through the forest, though some can become swampy during wet periods.

Campers looking for additional options in the region can explore camping near Birch Lakes State Forest or check out nearby Sauk River Park for a different setting.

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Map & DirectionsBirch Lakes State Forest Campground is located in Minnesota near North Shore

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From 1-94, Exit at Melrose/County Road 13; Go north into Melrose on Hwy. 13/2nd Ave. .3 miles; Turn right (east) on Main Street/County 13 and go 3 blocks; Turn left (north) on County 13/5th Ave. Go north 5 miles on County 13; Turn left (east) onto County Road 17; Go 1.3 miles and then turn left (north) onto Birch Lake Road/Angler Drive; Go north 2 miles to State Forest Road, which will be on the right (east) side of the road; Turn onto State Forest Road. Campground is approximately .75 miles down the road.

Coordinates

45.7713015 N
94.77533914 W

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    Last on 6/5/26
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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 6/5/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Alcohol

Drive Time

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Reviews10 Camper Reviews - Birch Lakes State Forest Campground

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4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the quiet, private setting with well-spaced sites and basic amenities at $17/night. Several guests observed wet/swampy conditions in some areas, but most found it a great rustic retreat.

Reviewed Feb. 11, 2025

State Park feel

I stayed here years ago with some friends who reserved the site. We had a large tent and a site close to the lake. I remember this being mid to late summer and the campground not being super busy. Not sure if that has changed as camping in general has become more popular in recent years. Overall was quiet and no road noise. The lake was nice and we did some swimming at the boat launch one night before bed.

  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Tori K., February 11, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2022

Up outdoor close(and where the children are above average)

Birch Lake is Lake Wobegon personified. Fish, swim, canoe, jet ski, you name it. The campsite is located in the Burch State Forest with tons of trees around each site. There’s a fire ring, picnic table and water well located within walking distance. Very friendly and knowledgeable camp host. If you like a more primitive campsite you will like this!

Site12
Month of VisitAugust
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  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Bruce F., August 12, 2022
  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Bruce F., August 12, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2022

Quick rest on cross country drive.

I pulled in at like 11pm and went straight to find an open spot, which was pretty easy.

I had decent privacy but was in eye-shot ( through trees ) of 2 other occupied camps.

Registration is easy & self service. They have envelopes at the entrance you just fill out, so you can use any payment method including card if you’re comfortable with that.

I was only solo tent camping and got there way late & had to leave way early, so I can’t speak to much else.

Site7
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2022

Holiday weekend

Camped here on July 4th weekend. The lake sounded busy, but there were lots of spots available. There are several pit toilets, dumpsters, and water fill stations throughout. Sites are decent sized, but not pull through. Many connect with pathways if you’re in a group. $17 per site first come first serve self registration.

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Dec. 23, 2020

Quiet State Park No Hook-ups

If you like quiet/off the beaten path sites, this one is awesome. Walk in sites as well as drive in. Great (but small) swimming beach, large lake with great fishing available. No hook ups and no dump station. Sites are spaced far enough apart to give you some privacy.

Reviewed Jul. 4, 2017

Our thoughts on birch lake

Was a fun, clean campground kids had fun fishing from the dock and enjoying the trails. The swimming beach was clean but was to cold to enjoy. The camp host was nice and helpful

Site8
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2017

Rustic but nice.

We stay here every year over Memorial Day weekend. The campground is pretty nice for a rustic experience. Things were a little overgrown and could have been cleaned up a bit. The boat landing is really nice, lots of trails and a decent swimming area.

Site8
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Jay H., July 4, 2017
  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Jay H., July 4, 2017
  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Jay H., July 4, 2017
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Reviewed Jun. 23, 2017

Nice but wet

This campground has similar amenities to other state forests. We really enjoyed staying in the walk-in camp site. It gave us a lot of privacy for our dogs. The only complaint is it does tend to be a bit wet. There were hiking trails that we ended up turning around on because they got too swampy. The trails we were able to hike were beautiful.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Elisha C., June 23, 2017
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  • Review photo of Birch Lakes State Forest Campground by Elisha C., June 23, 2017
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do visitors rate Birch Lake State Forest campground?

Birch Lake State Forest campground consistently receives positive ratings from visitors. Most campers rate it between 4-5 stars, appreciating its quiet, off-the-beaten-path atmosphere. Visitors particularly enjoy the privacy between sites, the clean swimming beach, and access to the lake for fishing and water activities. The campground is frequently described as peaceful, with a friendly and helpful camp host. While some note that facilities can occasionally be a bit overgrown or need maintenance, the overall experience is highly rated for those seeking a rustic, natural camping experience.

What camping options are available at Birch Lakes State Forest?

Birch Lakes State Forest offers diverse camping options to suit different preferences. Campers can choose between drive-in sites and more secluded walk-in sites, which provide additional privacy. The sites are $17 per night and operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-service registration at the entrance. This is dry camping with no hookups, making it ideal for tent campers or self-contained RVs. Sites are spacious and surrounded by trees for privacy, though not pull-through style. Many sites connect via pathways, making them excellent for group camping experiences. Each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table.

What facilities are available at Birch Lake Campground and Day-Use Area in Minnesota?

Birch Lake Campground offers basic but functional facilities for visitors. The campground features multiple pit toilets located throughout the grounds, water fill stations, and dumpsters for waste disposal. Each campsite includes a fire ring and picnic table. The day-use area includes a clean swimming beach, boat landing, and fishing dock. There are numerous hiking trails surrounding the campground, though some may become swampy during wet periods. The campground maintains a rustic atmosphere with water wells within walking distance of sites, but has no hookups or dump station for RVs.

Is there a campground map for Birch Lake Campground in Melrose, MN?

While specific details about an official map aren't widely mentioned, the campground layout at Birch Lake is relatively straightforward. The campground offers both drive-in and walk-in sites, with pathways connecting many sites (useful for groups camping together). Registration and self-service payment stations are located at the entrance. For the most accurate and current campground map, contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources or check their official website, as they manage Birch Lake State Forest and would provide the most up-to-date camping information.

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