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Best Tent Camping near Bigfork, MN

195 Reviews

Tent camping near Bigfork, Minnesota offers several secluded options within the surrounding state forests and public lands. George Washington State Forest Lost Lake campground, located directly in Bigfork, provides tent-friendly sites in a wooded setting with lake access for fishing enthusiasts. M44 Big Dick Lake offers free primitive tent camping with walk-in access through mature pine forests. Both campgrounds maintain basic amenities while preserving the natural northwoods environment that characterizes this region of northern Minnesota.

Most tent campgrounds in the Bigfork area feature basic facilities designed for self-sufficient campers. Vault toilets are standard at established sites, while drinking water availability varies by location. Lost Lake campground provides potable water, but M44 Big Dick Lake requires campers to bring their own. Fire rings and picnic tables are common at designated sites, with firewood gathering permitted in most areas. The camping season typically runs from May through September, with mosquitoes being particularly abundant during summer months. According to recent visitors, Noma Lake Campground, located about 20 miles west of Bigfork, now offers free primitive tent camping with established fire rings and marked sites.

Walk-in tent sites provide the most authentic wilderness experience in the Bigfork region. As one camper noted about Lost Lake, it's "a small, quiet state forest campground, off the beaten path from any direction" with "nicely spaced wooded campsites." Access roads to some of the more remote tent campgrounds can become challenging after rain, particularly at Lost Lake where recent logging activity has affected road conditions. Tent campers at M44 Big Dick Lake should be prepared for limited vehicle access, as the road into the area can be difficult to locate. The reward for this extra effort is camping in a pine forest with large mature trees and sandy shoreline access, making these primitive tent camping locations ideal for those seeking solitude and direct connection with Minnesota's northern forests.

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Best Tent Sites Near Bigfork, Minnesota (19)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Bigfork, MN

195 Reviews of 19 Bigfork Campgrounds

  • Allison K.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Norway Beach - Chippewa Campground Loop

    Great for tent camping but not so much for Rv/travel trailer camping

    We planned a huge family camping trip this year and the lovely Chippewa Loop campground in the Chippewa National Forest was the camp ground that we had the honor of staying at! We had three sites, 79, 80, and 81 with 17 people total. 9 Adults and 8 kids ranging from ages 7 to 1. The campground is right outside Cass Lake Minnesota that had a nice grocery store, a pretty weird liquor store, a family dollar, and a fishing pier if you didn’t have a boat. It was about a half an hour outside of Bemidji, Mn that has a lot of history from Minnesota and a great fireworks display over the lake on the Fourth of July. The City of Bemidji has a lot a little boutique shops if you are into shopping while on camping trips. It also had a cute little ice cream store that we took all the kids to across from the Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox statue and a nice park for the kids to play at right off of Lake Bemidji. If you’re into craft breweries Bemidji also has a brewery called Bemidji Brewing right in town. There’s also a Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and a dollar tree amongst other stores if you have that “I forgot list”.

    Site number 80 was the best to put up a travel trailer, but it was also extremely close to site number 82 and practically joined site number 82. We ended up putting our Jayco Eagle 30 foot travel trailer in site number 81 because with everyone else tent camping and we were the only one with a travel trailer, we felt this site was the best to park our travel trailer in because it was the least level site and only had one small pad for a tent. Site number 79 and 81 were joined together by a path that made it easy for us to all eat in one site. We all pretty much congregated in site number 81. We put most of our tents, three to be exact, in site number 80 because it was the most level and open for tents. The site was capable of having two large cabin tents and a small 4 person tent comfortably. Site had a lot of good pine trees for hanging Hammocks but, like I said before, it was almost right on top of site number 82 so we decided to only put up the 3 tents and congregate across the road in site number 81 as to not disturb the other site occupants. It was pretty frustrating that that was the most level site because it was also the best one to park a travel trailer in and have an awning out and a picnic table but we couldn’t do it because we didnt want to disturb the other site with 17 people.

    Site number 79 had a good drive pad but the tent pad was extremely un-level. we put up a single pole tipi in that site because the people in that site had cots and didn’t mind sleeping on an incline. When I say incline, I mean incline, the tent pad was not level at all which is kind of frustrating. Site number 79 was the least friendly for hammocks so we hung all her hammocks in site number 81.

    Site number 81 is where we decided to put up the trailer but the trailer pad was super un- level. We ended up making a Walmart run to get two more packs of leveling blocks and we use three packs of leveling blocks to make it level with room to have our awning and out. Right behind the travel trailer was a sloped hill that went down to the fire pit and a tent pad that was also on a slight incline which we were up by eight person tent there but that person had a raised air mattress and didn’t mind sleeping on an incline. Attached to site number 81 was also the path to the showers that was right down the hill. It worked out great because the showers and the bathrooms were so close to our site but we felt like the trees were blocking everything from our site.

    We took a lot of bike rides and got to see a lot of the other sites and they had a lot of good tent sites in some of the other loops and it seems like all of the electric sites were not as great as the tent sites. All of the electric sites seem to be un-level and not a great place to pitch a tent as well as having the camper.

    The park itself was very beautiful had a lot of nature things like milk weed and monarch butterfly’s everywhere and a beautiful swimming beach that was about waist high (4 feet deep) for about 300 to 400 yards out from shore. The beach was great for swimming and kayaking and you could dock a boat on the sandy beach and eat lunch if you wanted to. We ended up catching 40 crawfish and doing a crawfish boil, which the kids absolutely loved. The picnic shelter was pretty awesome too, very shaded and on a rougher part of the beach. There was a really long bike path that went through all of the loops and the main road was super bike friendly as well.

    In the visitor center there was a really cool area for the kids to go to play if it was too hot or rainy, or if you just wanted to be indoors for a little bit. They had a bike decorating event and we brought all the kids bikes and decorated them. There was a little gift shop and they also gave out free stickers which we ended putting on our camper as we do at every park we get a sticker from.

    Each camp ground loop also had a campground host that sold firewood, three bundles for $10. The firewood was pretty bad and some of it was wet and it burned really really fast. But like every park in Minnesota you can’t bring your own firewood unless it’s kiln dried lumber or something like that within a certain number of miles of the place you are camping.

    A few downsides to this park where there’s no official places to fill water up for your camper and no official place to dump your black and grey water tanks from your camper. You end up having to go to another park and pay to dump your camper. This could be a problem if you are staying for an extended time and use a lot of water. There also wasn’t a whole lot to do aside from biking and hiking and swimming like there was a leech lake recreation area we were at a few days prior to this trip. The restrooms and showers were pretty unkempt and dirty. Everyone but me and my sister had cold showers every time they went to take a shower.

    All in all the park is very beautiful and I had some very good attributes like friendly staff, clean campsites and secluded campsites where you didn’t feel like you are right on top of the other site aside from site 80 and 82. It seemed like there were three or 4 sites together in groups and then a little ways away there were a few more clumped together.

    I don’t know if we would actually come back to this park because the sites weren’t as big as they seemed in the pictures online and we felt cramped most of the time. There wasn’t a good space in the sites to put up games like corn hole or ladder ball which made it a bit boring at times to just stay at camp. We spent a lot of time at the beach.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 12, 2025

    Little American Falls County Park and Campground

    Remote county campground by beautiful falls

    This is a small county park and campground off the beaten path. It is located adjacent to the Little American Falls, and alongside the Big Fork River water trail. There are several campsites you can drive into, and if it is not the muddy season you could drive with a trailer or small RV into some of the the camping sites. Although the sites themselves are pretty well kept, campers are advised to pack out their own garbage but it seems some folks don't feel they have to--so there is some litter around, and evidence of campers burning garbage in the firepits. There is little to no cell phone service here, no on site ranger or camp host, but sites have basic picnic tables and fire rings, and there is an outhouse available. You should bring your own water; any RV's should know there are no hookups of any kind, but you are allowed to use a generator here. 

    The main appeal of this campground is access to the river, which involves going down a steep bank (there are stairs) but worth it for fishing or kayaking or canoeing. The falls are beautiful, and worth a visit. There arent official biking or hiking trails but you could easily walk or bike on the back roads adjacent to the campground. If you want more privacy, there is a canoe campsite on the bank opposite of the county campground, just downstream of the falls, that is maintained by the Minnesota DNR and is water-access only.

    There is no cost to camp here, but also no reservations so first come first served. For maps, you can refer to the Koochiching County recreation maps to see location, which are here: 

    https://www.co.koochiching.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/135/Outdoor-Recreation-Map-PDF?bidId=

    https://www.co.koochiching.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/994/Koochiching-Recreation-Map-2018-PDF

    The Big Fork Water Trail map is here: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe\_routes/bigfork1.pdf

    And for more info you can contact the Koochiching County Lands and Forests office here: https://www.co.koochiching.mn.us/178/Land-Forestry

  • L
    Jun. 20, 2022

    Bass Lake

    Rustic Bliss

    We love camping here! Definitely not for campers or rvs. Perfect for tents, backpackers, and a couple sites are good for Rooftop tents. Vault toilets are clean. Lots of picnic tables and fire pits.

  • Nick M.
    Jul. 23, 2020

    Onegume

    Hidden Treasure

    A lovely shaded site with plenty of trees to string a hammock. The lake is great for swimming and fishing. Quiet hours are observed. A short hike through the woods will bring you to a tiny convenience store with pretty much anything available that you might have forgotten. Potable water is available throughout and the vault toilets are cleaned daily by the camp host.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2021

    Norway Beach - Cass Lake Walk-In Campground Loop

    New remote campsites by Norway Beach!

    These is a newly developed primitive campground that is only for paddle-in, hike-in, or bike-in tent campers. Wow! It is exquisite. Campsites all along the lake shore, each site is huge and sheltered by giant pines, each has its own beach and water access, picnic tables, fire ring and more. Peace and quiet and amazing solitude! It is so exciting to have this new option, there are only 12 sites here and they are well spaced and off on their own, yet with easy access to the bike trail, the Norway Beach boat launch and visitor center, picnic grounds and beach. A really splendid option for folks who want more of a quiet "wilderness" experience without being too far away from forest service resources and amenities. Hiking, biking, fishing, paddling, boating, nature watching, or just hanging out at this lovely home away from home

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2021

    George Washington State Forest Lost Lake campground

    Get Lost at Lost Lake!

    This is a small, quiet state forest campground, off the beaten path from any direction. The main activities are quiet campig, and fishing! There is a nice lake with a convenient boat launch nearby, nicely spaced wooded campsitess, room for RVs but no hookups. There has been some fresh loggin activity in the area so that does affect the scenicness of the woods nearby, as well as the quality of the access road if it is rainy. Basic water, basic pit toilets, picnic tables and fire rings, no other amenities besides peace and quiet and fish ready for your hooks!

  • TyAnn J.
    Jun. 3, 2016

    North Star — Chippewa National Forest

    Our Family Favorite Campground!!

    We have been staying at the North Star Campground for the past 10 years. This campground has no electric hook ups. The sites are roomy with a nice fire ring that has a grilling grate on it, and an extra large picnic table. The campground host Brock is friendly and welcoming. We spend many hours fishing the many different bays of North Star Lake with luck catching Muskies. There are a few sites with a stair case to lake access, and the public boat launch access is less than a 1/2 mile away from the campground.

  • FThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 21, 2024

    West Two River

    A hidden gem with everything I needed.

    Toward the last minute in July of 2024, I needed RV spaces near water (that I could kayak) for two travel trailers. I found this campground and booked two of the last three spaces available. Three hours from my house, as the crow flies, I found myself visiting Minnesota's iron range. This campground is next to a reservoir with many islands and no current (unless the mining company is pushing or pulling water from the lake. The sites are of varying sizes and some are pull through. Leveling took me a bit, but I found just the right angle to jack up the front of my RV for leveling. My site was smaller, but still large enough for my 20 trailer, a screen house, the picnic table and fire pit, my Grand Cherokee, and plenty of extra room onto which I could probably have put at least three more screen tents, with room to walk. Electricity is provided on each site. There are no water hookups per site, but there are a few water spigots around the grounds to fill fresh water tanks. Because the grounds are small (45 camping sites) a short walk gets you anywhere on the site; like to the showers, beach, and other recreational facilities. Frisbee golf is on site. There is no tank dump available. The campground is surrounded by forest, so wild animals can and do appear. The lake is large enough for some long and interesting kayaking, and there are multiple kinds of fish (from bullheads to northern pike). The woman in charge works very hard to keep these grounds as perfect as possible. The place is clean and mostly dead quiet after hours. Two free showers per gender, but they have minimal privacy. The free showers have sufficient pressure to do the job, although you cannot control the temperature; which I found to be fine, even if it was not the burning hot showers I like to have. The sites have pretty good privacy, although during the day I had to listen to the typical chatting from my neighboring campers. I very much love this campground and will be back as my time permits.There is no wifi. We had strong service on T-mobile and Verizon, so we used our hotspots for media connectivity.

  • Allison K.
    Jul. 3, 2019

    Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground

    Awesome and extremely clean and quiet

    While at Leech Lake Recreation Area we stayed in site number 33 which was the electric site with our 30 foot Jayco Eagle travel trailer. There was enough room in the site for a travel trailer truck and probably another tent or screen tent. The other sites were close but not too close. if another travel trailer or RV pulled in it would block our view from their fire ring. The pad was all dirt and you can only set up on the dirt and not on the grass around it. The trees around the site were perfect for hammocks, we hung three of our Kammok brand hammocks. Our only complaint about the site was that the fire pit was dug down into the ground making it kind of unsafe if you had children and the fires didn’t stay lit very well because there was no oxygen going underneath them, so you’re constantly fanning it which was annoying because we cook with cast-iron over the fire for every meal.

    We were able to go and take a walk to the lake which is super short walk from pretty much any of the sites but really close from our site. The sunset over the lake were stunning and a loon hung around the dock while we fished.

    We took a lot of bike rides around the campground looking at each site and going to the park which was absolutely amazing for the kids. They had basketball courts, a huge playground that was amazing quality, shuffleboard, volleyball, badminton, and a picnic shelter that you could rent out with the cooking area inside the picnic shelter. There are pit toilets and bathrooms close to the playground so that isn’t an issue with little ones. The playground area is a great place to hang out with adults and children.

    We took a bike ride to the tent sites as well and found that there are pretty close together and right next to a main road that was kind of noisy. They would probably be good if you got all four at once with a group of people. The dump station for the RVs was right next to the tent sites to which would probably be annoying to see all the RVs on a busy day dumping at the same time.

    The federal Dan was a magnificent sight but it was pretty hard to fish around that area without a boat going on the leech lake because of the fast-moving water. They’re also wasn’t an area to swim because it would be unsafe which is kind of a bummer but the playground made up for it.

    The park is run by the Army Corps of Engineers volunteers and they were super friendly and kept everything clean and sanitary which was amazing. There was even Washers and dryer’s to do laundry for free and amazing shower facilities that they called comfort stations. Everything was borrow on the loan and bring back which included all of the equipment at the park like basketballs badminton shuffle board stuff and rakes shovels and stuff to clean up your campsite.

    All in all this would be a park that we would definitely come back to you and spend a week and possibly have a group of people with kids because it’s a super cool friendly kid park.

Guide to Bigfork

Tent campsites near Bigfork, Minnesota dot the surrounding national and state forests within the northwoods region. Situated at approximately 1,300 feet elevation, this area experiences seasonal temperature swings from below-freezing winters to humid summers when temperatures typically reach 75-80°F. Camping season generally runs May through September, with peak mosquito activity occurring in June and July after spring rains.

What to do

Fishing from shore: At Thistledew Campground, campers can fish directly from lakeside sites. "Peaceful campground on a beautiful lake. Loons calling," notes Janet K., who appreciated the minimal crowds and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Swimming in natural beaches: The swimming area at Bear Lake Campground provides relief during hot summer days. A camper described how "even though we weren't right on the lake, we were adjacent to a large mowed field area where we could play games and kids could run freely."

Boating and paddling: The boat launch at Plug Hat Point features a cement ramp with dock access for easy water entry. One visitor explained, "paddlers with a canoe or kayak cart can easily portage around the Winnie Dam about 1/2 mile to river launch site below the dam, thus avoiding the very steep, rocky and difficult portage."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many tent campsites near Bigfork offer good separation between camping areas. At Group Camp — McCarthy Beach State Park, one reviewer noted it "has a nice log building for group gatherings, plus plenty of space for tents to accommodate up to fifty people."

Pine forest settings: The mature pine forests create a classic northwoods camping experience. A visitor to M44 Big Dick Lake described camping "in a Pine Forest with large mature trees. Sandy shoreline spots for very small boat. Water quality is good."

Availability without reservations: Most campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. One camper at Noma Lake Campground mentioned, "There were a lot of other people camping but at least 5 sites available on Friday 7/5/24 late in the day."

What you should know

Road conditions: Many campgrounds have challenging access roads. A visitor to Plug Hat Point noted, "You do need a good portage cart, however, as the access road from Plug Hat Point is not paved."

Limited facilities: Most tent campsites near Bigfork offer basic amenities only. Regarding Noma Lake Campground, one camper observed, "We enjoyed the campground, but noticed the lack of upkeep. We are not sure if it was due to it being the last week open, or if it was the entire season."

Free camping options: Some sites have transitioned to no-fee camping. A recent visitor to Noma Lake shared, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Look for open play spaces: Select sites with room for activities. At Bear Lake Campground, families benefit from the "covered picnic area available as well as a swimming area."

Consider walk-in sites for older kids: Moose Lake offers walk-in sites that provide more seclusion. A visitor noted, "The walk-in sites are nice and off-the-beaten path. Hiking is a bit underwhelming, but overall a nice easy trip."

Plan for insects: Mosquitoes can be particularly intense in early summer. One camper at Noma Lake described the conditions as "Mosquito Paradise" and mentioned, "The mosquitoes were out of this world but perhaps after so much camping in the south we are just spoiled."

Tips from RVers

Limited large vehicle access: Most campsites near Bigfork accommodate smaller RVs only. At McCarthy Beach group site, a reviewer clarified, "A small camper or two could also fit, but there are no RV hookups here."

Check water availability: Potable water access varies by location. The Bear Lake Campground reviewer mentioned they had "good water, pit toilets, and a covered picnic area."

Early arrival recommended: The limited number of suitable RV sites fill quickly. At M44 Big Dick Lake, one visitor described it as "Very hard to find road into area. But easy enough to get into with spots for a few vehicles."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bigfork, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bigfork, MN is M44 Big Dick Lake with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

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TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Bigfork, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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