Fishing and kayaking opportunities draw visitors to Deer Lake Campground, a US Forest Service facility where campers access both drive-in and boat-in sites within Chippewa National Forest. The campground operates from early May through mid-October at $16 per night, with reservations required four days in advance.
Sites accommodate tents and smaller RVs, though the campground lacks electrical hookups and has a rough access road that some visitors find challenging. The north section offers more private sites separated by tree lines, while staying close to the water and trail access. Phillip L. notes "there is a lot of deer's out here and you can see a few throughout the day," along with hawks and ospreys. Bears occasionally visit sites where food isn't properly stored.
Basic amenities include vault toilets, a hand pump for drinking water that may require purification, and trash service. Highway noise reaches some areas, particularly sites closer to the road, though activity levels typically decrease after dark. Cell reception works well throughout the campground. The nearest town with gas and supplies sits 40 minutes away.
Campers seeking pet-friendly sites around Chippewa National Forest will find this primitive campground well-suited for those comfortable with basic facilities and wildlife encounters.
Description
Overview
Deer Lake campground is located on the west shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake, next to Lake Winnibigoshish, and is split into two separate loops. North Deer Lake campground has 17 sites; South Deer Lake has 31 campsites. A boat ramp is centrally located between the loops and provides lake access via Biauswah Creek. Visitors come to the area for boating, walleye, northern, sunfish, and crappie fishing, and beautiful scenery. The 26-mile Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Trail runs through the Deer Lake campgrounds and is designated for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to co-steward resources - making the Forest a great place to recreate as well as a special place where cultural and traditional resources are protected and preserved and the Bands treaty rights are respected.
Recreation
Boating, swimming, and fishing are popular activities on Cut Foot Sioux Lake. A boat ramp is centrally located between the campground's two loops and provides lake access via Biauswah Creek. A large swimming beach is located at the North Deer Loop and a smaller beach is located at South Deer Loop. Boats may be moored offshore.Miles of trails in the area provide great hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and birding opportunities. The 26-mile Cut Foot Sioux National RecreationTrail runs through the campground and connects with the Simpson Creek Trail. Off-highway vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs, may be brought to the campground. However, OHVs must be trailered to roads legal for riding outside the campground. OHV use is not permitted on Eagle Nest Road.Cut Foot Sioux Lake is located next to Lake Winnibigoshish, which can be accessed from Cut Foot Sioux. Lake Winnie offers excellent fishing opportunities for walleye, northern, panfish, and muskie. It is one of Minnesota's premier fisheries. Boating and water skiing are popular activities.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-unit campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and handpumps for drinking water are provided.__There are no electric hook ups in the campground. Firewood is available from local vendors.
Natural Features
A sandy swimming beach is located at North Deer Lake campground. North Deer Loop is covered by a hardwood forest of maple and oak, with some mature pine trees scattered throughout the site. South Deer Loop is forested with mature red and white pines. The Cut Foot Sioux area is home to a variety of waterfowl and birds of prey, including loons, osprey, and bald eagles. The much larger Lake Winnibigoshish is accessible by boat and within sight of these two campgrounds.
Nearby Attractions
Down the road, East Seelye Bay offers a large picnic area, boat landing with dock and a swimming beach.
Fee Info
$16.00 per night
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsDeer Lake Campground is located in Minnesota near Wirt
Directions
Take Highway 46 northwest from Deer River, MN. Turn on Eagle Nest Road (Old CR 33) and travel 4 miles west. You will pass East Seelye and West Seelye Campgrounds. Deer Lake Campground is on the left. North Deer is first and South Deer is another half-mile down the road.
Address
1235 DIVISION ST.
Deer river, MN 56636
Coordinates
47.5141667 N
94.1058333 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Reservable
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 7 min from Duluth, MN
- 2 hrs 55 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 3 hrs from St. Cloud, MN
- 3 hrs 14 min from Fargo, ND
