Fishing and kayaking enthusiasts will find direct access to Lake Winnibigoshish at this small Forest Service campground. Williams Narrows operates from May through September, offering tent-only sites arranged in two sections with spacious, wooded layouts and a boat landing. The campground provides basic amenities including drinking water, restrooms, and firewood sales, though rough access roads may challenge some visitors.
Sites sit elevated above the water, providing lake views from several spots. A campground host maintains the facility and assists campers with forgotten supplies. Generators run during daytime hours only, keeping evenings quiet for those seeking respite from busier campgrounds around Chippewa National Forest. Reservations are available for the $16 nightly fee, and early June visitors should prepare for significant bug activity despite installed bat houses.
Description
Overview
Williams Narrows Campground is located on Cut Foot Sioux Lake in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest. Visitors come to the area for boating, trophy muskie fishing and beautiful scenery. 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 and swimming beach are located between the campground's two loops. Miles of trails in the area provide great hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and birding opportunities. The Simpson Creek Trail and Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Area Trail can be accessed by boating across the narrows.Cut Foot Sioux Lake is located next to Lake Winnibigoshish. Lake Winnie offers excellent fishing opportunities for walleye, perch, and muskie. It is one of Minnesota's premier fisheries. Boating and water skiing are popular activities there as well.
Facilities
The campground offers several single-unit campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and hand pumps for drinking water are provided in each loop.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the eastern shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake. A scenic forest of birch, oak and pine trees shades the campground. A few campsites have lake views. The lake is home to a variety of waterfowl and birds of prey, including loons, osprey and bald eagles.
Fee Info
$16.00 per night
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsWilliams Narrows is located in Minnesota near Wirt
Directions
From Deer River, take Highway 46 north 15 miles. Turn west on Bowen/Williams Narrows Road (County Road 148) and travel two miles to the campground.
Address
1235 DIVISION ST.
Deer river, MN 56636
Coordinates
47.5033333 N
94.0636111 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 56 min from Duluth, MN
- 2 hrs 50 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 2 hrs 50 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 3 hrs 3 min from Fargo, ND
