Map showing campground location near Birchdale, Minnesota

Camper submitted image from Zippel Bay State Park Campground

Zippel Bay State Park Campground

Accessible via paved roads, Zippel Bay State Park Campground accommodates RVs up to 50 feet with walk-in sites ranging from $24-$50 per night. The DNR-managed facility operates year-round with reservations available, though signage within the park can be challenging to navigate. Campers frequently mention the remote location, with one reviewer noting they encountered a bear during their stay among only ten other camping parties.

The Ridge Campground features both wooded and open terrain sites with back-in dirt and gravel pads. Fred S. describes "Beautiful Fall color on birch trees" during autumn visits. Sites include metal fire rings, picnic tables, and lantern poles, with hand pump water access and vault toilets centrally located. Spacing between sites provides limited privacy, and generators can be heard throughout much of the campground according to multiple reviews.

Lake of the Woods access drives much of the camping activity here, with boat launches and fishing opportunities drawing visitors. The facility serves as a staging point for trips to Garden Island and supports various watercraft activities. However, mosquito populations reach intense levels during summer months, with campers reporting the need for full coverage clothing and multiple bottles of repellent. Cell service remains available, and firewood can be purchased on-site for evening campfires.

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Location

Public Campground

Zippel Bay State Park Campground is located in Minnesota

Directions

From the west end of Baudette, take Highway 172, 10 miles north to County Road 8. Go west on 8 for 6 miles to the park entrance.

Address

3684 54th Avenue Nw
Williams, MN 56686

Coordinates

48.86022096 N
94.83588884 W

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Connectivity

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VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
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T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
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

Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

2 hrs 35 min from Grand Forks, ND
3 hrs 36 min from Fargo, ND
3 hrs 51 min from Duluth, MN
4 hrs 28 min from St. Cloud, MN

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

7 Reviews

Campers regularly cited beautiful lake views and well-maintained rustic sites with vault toilets and hand pump water. Several guests reported severe mosquito issues, especially in summer months. Many visitors reported excellent wildlife viewing and outdoor activities despite limited hiking trails.

Teresa T.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2024

I found it disappointing

I'm primarily a hiker, and there were just very few hiking trails. I have a feeling. It's gorgeous in the fall with the turning of the colors, but the weather was poor cold, very windy. You couldn't do the hike on the beach, even because the waves were too high. So in rough weather, once you've done the hiking trails which took about 2 hours. You were kind of done there was nothing else to do. Even boating would have been questionable and probably not any fun at all. Last, I don't see anybody say it, but the signage was really poor coming into the park. You couldn't really tell which way to turn to get to your campsite. And as evidenced by everybody who drove past me trying to find their camp spot even though I was the only one in that campground I have a feeling others struggled as well. I might come back in the fall. I drove through town before I left. And there were a lot of ice fishing Jacksontown, so my guesses it's more of a winter spot. Or a boating spot than anything else. And last we did see a bear, it's remote. There were probably all of ten people camping there, So not surprising to see wildlife, but the just about walked up on the bear.

Site19

Month of VisitJune

Fred S.

Legend

Reviewed May. 20, 2024

Ridge Campground Primitive Camping

Camped at site #31 in the Ridge Campground on Oct 16, 2023. Nice primitive campground in the state park. Wooded and open sites. Beautiful Fall color on birch trees. Spacing between sites is pretty good with limited privacy. Back-in dirt/gravel sites. Trash service. Clean vault toilet. Hand pump for water. Metal fire ring, table and lantern pole. The state park is beautiful with hiking trails & walks along Lake of the Woods. There is no direct access to hiking and the lake from this campground. Enjoyed camping here; would stay here again.

Site31

Month of VisitOctober

(12) View All

karl

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2022

Needs updating

Vault toilets were not clean and low on TP. Sites were not well maintained Ed- garbage in fire ring. Lots of mosquitoes.

Month of VisitAugust

Daphne D.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2022

Beautiful park, but lots of mosquitoes

This is a gorgeous park with lots of birds and wildlife. The lake is beautiful and the campsites are all shady and well maintained. The sites vary a lot in size, but most are level and relatively private. There's a shower house and pit toilets that are very nice. The boat launch and beach are awesome.

However. Have you seen the movie 300? Or any other movie where a small force faces an unthinkably massive foe? Well, that's you and the mosquitoes here, and I regret to inform you that you are the Spartans. You are vastly outnumbered and though you may fight bravely, you will not win this battle. Seriously, there were so many mosquitoes that people were walking around in June in full sweatsuits with netted hats. We were here two nights and went through two entire bottles of bug spray. These things laugh at citronella candles and want you and your whole family dead and drained of blood. If you can hold them off, this park is well worth it. But don't come here thinking you'll just be an efficient swatter and get by.

Site46

Month of VisitJune

(7) View All

Samantha

Guide

Reviewed May. 16, 2021

Refreshing lake views

The beach is lovely with a magnificent lake view. There's a light house at one end along with some large rocks that are apart of the Canadian shield.

Month of VisitMarch

Scott M.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2020

Lots of variety and a boating destination

This state park is really nicely located for those that wanna get away to the north. Northern Minnesota has a lot to offer for wildlife and fishing. Zipper bay is pretty easy to get too and has a lot do from hikes, canoeing, kayaking, boating and fishing. You can easily get to garden island by boat for a wilderness adventure or you can just stay in the campground. Bugs are too bad till July so it is good to come sooner. Loads of birds to see.

Campgrounds are simple the one closest to the boat dock was pretty full when we checked it out. Very closely packed and generators can be hear almost everywhere. Best to get a site near the back and have it back into the forest as they are a bit bigger. Put toilets are found centrally with water pump and trash bins.

(17) View All

Gia R.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2018

Rustic, yet beautiful Minnesota State Park

Compared to other Minnesota State Parks, Zippel Bay is a bit more rustic. There are no electrical hookups, and showers are a significant drive from campground. The bathrooms are outhouse style with no running water. The campsites were not quite as secluded as we typically like, but it was quiet, and the views along the lake-shore are well worth the trip.

SiteLady's Slipper Campground, Site 11

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at Zippel Bay State Park?

Zippel Bay State Park offers rustic camping with no electrical hookups. The campground features wooded and open sites with reasonable spacing between them, though privacy is somewhat limited. Sites are dirt/gravel back-ins with varying sizes, but most are level and shaded. The Ridge Campground has primitive sites with clean vault toilets, hand pump water, and trash service. This is a more rustic experience compared to other Minnesota State Parks, with outhouse-style bathrooms and no running water at some facilities. Showers are available but located a significant distance from the campground.

What do visitors say about their experience at Zippel Bay State Park?

Visitors describe Zippel Bay State Park as a gorgeous northern Minnesota destination with magnificent lake views and a lovely beach. The park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities with abundant birds and other animals. Campsites are generally well-maintained, shady, and quiet. The natural attractions include a lighthouse, large Canadian shield rocks, and beautiful fall colors on the birch trees. While most feedback is positive regarding the park's beauty and tranquility, some visitors note challenges with mosquitoes, occasional cleanliness issues with the vault toilets, and limited hiking trails. The park is particularly appreciated by those looking for boating, fishing, and water activities.

How do I make reservations for camping at Zippel Bay State Park?

To reserve a campsite at Zippel Bay State Park, you'll need to use the Minnesota State Parks reservation system. Reservations can be made online through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website or by phone. The park offers various sites with different characteristics, so it's worth researching specific site numbers before booking. Site #31 in the Ridge Campground, for example, is a primitive option in a wooded area. For the most current reservation information, availability, and fees, contact Minnesota State Parks directly or visit their official website.

Are there photos available to preview Zippel Bay State Park before visiting?

Yes, photos of Zippel Bay State Park are available through several sources. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources official website features images of the park's facilities, campsites, and natural attractions. Camping apps and websites like The Dyrt also host user-submitted photos that show actual campsite conditions, the beach area, lighthouse, and surrounding landscapes. These visual previews can help you understand the park's layout, including the Ridge Campground sites, vault toilets, lake views, and the beautiful beach area before your visit.

Keep Exploring

- Roseau, MN (77 miles)
- Birchdale, MN (0.0 miles)

Description

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Location

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Is Zippel Bay State Park Campground sold out?

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

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For Vehicles

Contact

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

What camping options are available at Zippel Bay State Park?

What do visitors say about their experience at Zippel Bay State Park?

How do I make reservations for camping at Zippel Bay State Park?

Are there photos available to preview Zippel Bay State Park before visiting?