Bemidji is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Bemidji, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Fox Lake Campground is a family friendly campground known for its casual atmosphere and the guests enjoying the lake. Fox Lake is connected to the Turtle River Chain of Lakes. Kids of all ages can be found relaxing at the beach or taking a kayak or paddle boat out on the water. Boaters enjoy tubing and wake boarding, and fishermen and fisherwomen can be spotted casting their lines into Fox Lake from their boats or heading down the channel to fish on Lake Beltrami.
At the 13-acre campground, you'll find the Campground Store/Office, a Game Room, the Bathroom/Shower House/Laundromat, Fish Cleaning House, playground, volleyball area, and basketball court. The campground has full hook-ups with 30 or 30/50 Amp electrical service, sewer, and water.
$64 / night
This metal bridge over the Mississippi River leads to a canoe campsite and Adirondack-style shelter. The campsite is a popular layover for first day paddlers arriving from the headwaters. A privy, fire ring, and picnic table are available. La Salle Creek enters the Mississippi River a short distance downstream. Soon after leaving the rest area, the river abuts the La Salle SNA on the river right.
Leech Lake Recreation Area is located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest in Federal Dam, Minnesota on the Leech Lake River. The area is best known for its fishing and boat access to Portage Bay on Leech Lake, a famous perch, walleye and musky fishery.
Boating, canoeing and fishing are very popular activities. Anglers will find walleye, perch, bass, northern pike and musky, where every cast has the potential to yield a trophy. Miles of scenic hiking trails meander around Leech Lake, including the Soo Line, Heartland and North Country National Scenic Trails.
Leech Lake has 316 miles of shoreline and encompasses 14 natural lakes. A mixed forest of elm, ash, maple, basswood, birch, aspen and pine covers the area. Wildlife is abundant around the lake, where campers commonly hear the tell-tale call of loons out on the water.
Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
$35 / night
Cass Lake Loop is part of the Norway Beach Recreation Area on beautiful Cass Lake in north central Minnesota. Visitors enjoy the area for its excellent boating and fishing opportunities.
Cass Lake offers many recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing and swimming. Anglers fish for walleye, Northern pike, perch and trophy muskie. A boat ramp is nearby. Star Island, in the middle of Cass Lake, is a unique feature of the Chippewa National Forest. Six miles of trails wind around the island, which is home to 199-acre Lake Windigo. Hiking and biking trails are available in the area, including the Migizi Bike Trail and the Norway Beach Trail. The Norway Beach Visitor Center is nearby. This building, with its magnificent fireplace, is a monument to the talents and craftsmanship of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollees. Programs and displays depict Dakota and Ojibway heritage and the area's flora and fauna. Special annual events are held at the center including a Kids Fishing Day in June, Bald Eagle Day in July and Smokey Bear's Birthday Party in August. Interpretive programs are offered Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
The campground is located on the banks of Cass Lake, among a scenic forest of mature red and white pine. Cass Lake is the largest of eight lakes that make up the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes. The lake covers nearly 16,000 acres and has 27 miles of forested shoreline and sandy beaches.
The town of Cass Lake, Minnesota is 4 miles west of the campground, offering restaurants, a bank, grocery and hardware stores, a movie theater and museum.
$14 / night
Fox Lake Campground is a family friendly campground known for its casual atmosphere and the guests enjoying the lake. Fox Lake is connected to the Turtle River Chain of Lakes. Kids of all ages can be found relaxing at the beach or taking a kayak or paddle boat out on the water. Boaters enjoy tubing and wake boarding, and fishermen and fisherwomen can be spotted casting their lines into Fox Lake from their boats or heading down the channel to fish on Lake Beltrami.
At the 13-acre campground, you'll find the Campground Store/Office, a Game Room, the Bathroom/Shower House/Laundromat, Fish Cleaning House, playground, volleyball area, and basketball court. The campground has full hook-ups with 30 or 30/50 Amp electrical service, sewer, and water.
$64 / night
Traveler
This is our second year and starting into our third. This campground has been great for our family. Everyone in the campground is very friendly, pool is amazing and the lake is great for fishing. It is a seasonal campground so it is awesome to be able to leave our camper here year-round.
Guide
The coordinates go to bear landing boat ramp culdesac. Nice views and about one good spot there, but may have someone pulling up to check out if the spot is taken or fish or use ramp. But it was a Fri night for me and just one car of two hunters came checking the spot for birds then left after a few minutes. Calm quiet crisp late Aug night. I honestly recommend take the first spot on right after turn in from main road its about 100 yards from main road. Its private there or theres other small dirt openings along road while going toward culdesac. Obviously if you go to far off bear landing rd you may hit on private property though so watch for signs.
Guide
A free county camp very well maintained grass with nice toilet, clean well water, firepit, benches all well cared for. I was alone all day mid week in summer until a big rig pulled up at 10pm and took half the other spots about a dozen horses. It seemed cool for one night as a tenter but a clicky type of horse owners environment where they may not want folks without horses. A nice creek near by with space and a interesting place for my dogs to soak in all the smells even if its just one night.
Guide
About a quarter mile from main road but very rough road meaning huge holes, just go slow. A few spots right next to the lake maybe 5 but the loop is generally close together for 3 of them. Its a really nice secluded spot actually with fresh clear cool waters. The mid summer bugs werent as bad when there was slight winds. May get adventurous and explore the rustic trails around the lake. Lots of wood sticks around to gather as well. Maybe you get lucky and are only one there to feel like in the movie castaway.
GuideAn old national forest campsite, rustic with ground fire pits. Good for tent. You will be able to see the drive in spots by the fire pits. About 6 spots. Only two other RV people there mid summer weekday. The spots are spread out decently. Theres a boat ramp and an old outhouse toilet. Be ready to bring bug spray. Dont miss the sign while driving down 6 mile lake rd, the coordinates work better on map directions.
Scout
Lots of amenities, $60+ /night, guest fees. More open with less “trees and camping” feel so not for everyone but we liked it.
Traveler
This was an overnight stopover our way west. The site was spacious compared to some state parks. There were plenty of trees and a bit of terrain changes that made them more appealing. The lake was large and inviting (except for current swimmer's itch breakout). The bathrooms and showers were clean and the park staff was pleasant.
Scout
I stayed here for 2 nights. I was with my parents who had an RV but I just stayed in a tent in the back of their spot. It was a very clean park. You can tell they take care of it. Showers were nice. Pool was warm. Everyone at the park seemed nice. It's not on the lake but there is a boat landing with 2 ramps about a mile away. It's right on a major bike trail.
ScoutAll hookups needed are available, including sanitary, 30 and 50 amp, and water
Guide
The primitive campsites were very spaces but surrounded by poison ivy. An outhouse was nearby and water accesses well. Shows were clean and staff extremely friendly.
Guide
Great campground right on Leech Lake. A quick drive to Walker if you need any supplies. Plenty of options for getting firewood near by.
We were on site 23 and it was a huge site (as were most sites) No issues with neighbors being noisy other than a yapping dog. Site was nice and level.
There are some sites that are definitely less desirable around the main bathroom / shower house.
With the wind off the lake bugs were well managed - but this is MN in the summer - so there were mosquitoes and flies - but that is expected.
Grass was well maintained
Beach was great albeit shallow. But nice soft sand.
Wouldn't have any qualms about going back
FYI - they don't supply a solo stove - but I love mine so I use it instead of the fire ring
Scout
We were scheduled for 5 nights, but extended to 8 because it was such a great spot. Don and his wife were very nice, and super helpful. We checked in late, and Don even helped us set up camp. Nice pool too. Showers and bathrooms are very clean. Laundry is nice. Highly recommend if you can snag a spot.
Guide
This campsite was a bit confusing for me to find and I still wonder if I’m at the right place. It’d be a peaceful night if it weren’t for the generator running all night across from me 😤 The mosquitoes are terrible, but that’s expected. I also thought it’d be on the water but it’s not… The road can also be pretty tough so be prepared if your pulling a trailer. I don’t think this was what I expected
Scout
I recently camped at BP4, on Desoto Lake. They have maybe recently added bear boxes to these two sites (3&4), I didn't see that mentioned in any reviews or the MN park website. The trail was a bit swampy and horrible with mosquitoes but the camp sites themselves were not bad at all. A very nice spot, secluded and beautiful.
Guide
Was here last year also. Great place for older people that have a national parks card. $13.00 a night is unbeatable. Park is always clean and well maintained. And free laundry too. Yes, there are skeeters, but this is summer in Minnesota. You learn to deal. Quiet and not packed at all. Site is large and flat and trees galore.
Scout
It was ok. It was free. Per US Forest service website, this is now a free camping area. There was an established fire ring and marked camping spots. The mosquitoes were out of this world but perhaps after so much camping in the south we are just spoiled. There were a lot of other people camping but at least 5 sites available on Friday 7/5/24 late in the day.
Traveler
This will be our 4th time up here. Great Place to stay at. Lake is beautiful and good fishing. Has a boat dock and parking. Site we were in is kinda smaller but we made it work. Facilities are clean and well taken care of.
Traveler
Friendly family owned, will definitely be back!
Scout
I stayed for 2 nights. it was beautiful and serene. There is a bear box which was helpful to store food and supplies since I was Hammocking. Great trees for Hammock. I was also able to get internet so I was able to see a big storm coming. The birds and insects were suddenly silent and the clouds came in fast. I was able to check weather apps and go to the shelter a mile toward the parking lot and wait out the storm.
Traveler
Very nice area with a water access, fire pit and outhouse. About a 10-15 min drive from main road and there are more campsites to find further in
Ranger
This campground is incredibly peaceful. Even with kids and most spots full, it’s just quiet. Lake is beautiful. Things are clean.
RangerMany bike and walking/hiking trails. Well maintained park. Many Campsites are level and we just backed in and set up.
Men’s bathroom is cleaned twice a day! Showers are clean and water is hot!
Drinking water is good.
Great trails to hike. Super nice Visitors Center with great interactive displays to learn about the park.
View from the fire tower is spectacular! Beautiful wild flowers blooming along the trails. Took many pictures of loons on Mary’s lake.
Traveler
Very large easy to access camping area. Could easily get 4-5 campers in this one. It is a bit rocky and not extremely level but open and better for less bugs. ATV trail leads right off camping area.
Traveler
There is no parking next to your camp at this spot. You have to walk to your camp and being the owner of a trailer. This does not work.
LegendThere are a lot of sites and some are relatively close together. A number of them require quite a bit of leveling if you're coming with a camper. The lake is beautiful you can actually walk on the trail down to a relatively nice restaurant for dinner. Well the park was full when we were there it didn't feel packed it was very pretty.
Legend
There's a lot of sites there's somewhat separate and private. Those on the Cass Lakeside have access to really nice beach areas. Really nice bike trails bathrooms were old in the showers are cold but otherwise it was a delightful place to stay for a couple of nights. Interesting you can rent these on the national forest site but also there are some that are not on the site including the one that we stayed at that was available during Memorial Day weekend when everything else was full because you couldn't rent it online.
Legend
Camped at site #7 on Oct 10-11, 2023. Beautiful wooded state forest campground along Hungry Man Lakes. I was able to bank fish right from the campsite. Dirt surface campsite with table and metal fire ring. Trash containers along campground road. Two clean vault toilets with tp & air freshener. Two hand water pumps. Some sites are not level; #7 was level and pretty large. The campground can accomodate a truck camper and smaller; would not recommend larger rigs. A gravel road looped through the campground, offering a pleasant walk through the pine forest. Can not reserve a site here. Had to use the Yodel app to pay. Loved camping here.
Camping near Bemidji, Minnesota, offers a fantastic escape into nature with a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there's something for everyone in this beautiful region.
Camping near Bemidji, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bemidji, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bemidji, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 182 campgrounds and RV parks near Bemidji, MN and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bemidji, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bemidji, MN is Lake Bemidji State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bemidji, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Bemidji, MN.
What parks are near Bemidji, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Bemidji, MN that allow camping, notably Chippewa National Forest and Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake.
