Best Campgrounds near Birchdale, MN

We camped here on a weekend when there was going to be a special park event--a lighted lantern tour on the boardwalk into the Big Bog. It was an amazing experience! I would agree with some other campers, fall is the best time because it has no bugs, fewer campers, and the campground is relatively dry. Plus the colors are fantastic!  We stayed in campsite number 1, one of the better ones for tent campers. It is more private, tucked into the woods, and several spots for tents. The campground was relatively quiet and only about half full. Campers should be aware that sites 19-30 back up against the state highway 72, which doesnt have much traffic but is a truck route so there is noise and proximity to that road with a slim buffer zone of vegetation. But sites 1-8 are along the Tamarack River and pretty nice--especially if you have brought a boat or watercraft for fishing or paddling or boating, you have direct access to the water from a number of the sites, plus there is a good dock centrally located. There are also a number of nice camper cabins that are tucked into the woods, and they are avaialble even in winter as ice fishermen like to stay here to get onto Red Lake. The Big Bog campground is not right on Red Lake, but you can get to it via the Tamarack River, or by crossing Hwy 72 to the west side of the park where there is a boat launch and swimming area plus picnicking and hiking trails along Red Lake. The boardwalk into the Big Bog is in a separate parcel of state land just north on 72 a miles. It is one of the longest boardwalks into a bog in the US, and well worth the hike. As tamaracks dominaate, they are at the peak of their golden colors in October, and I think the best time to visit. Being there at twilight was amazing, and the special lantern walk allowed us to stay out after dark to do some sky gazing. Campers should note that there are few amenities at the campground itself, other than the visitor center, bath house and water, but the small towns of Washish and Kelliher are not far away and have food, gas, and fishing supplies

No showers. Outhouses and potable water spickets throughout the campground. All sites are offered on a first come first served basis and the entrance has envelopes to pay by check or you can pay online at your arrival. Sites that are occupied will have a small white card clipped to the site number marker sign, just pick an open one, pay, and fill our your place holder card. Fire ring and picnic table at each site. Most were flat, but some were a little hilly. Might be harder to navigate the roads in the campground and back in if you have a larger rig. Very close to voyageurs visitor centers and local boat rental places.

Big Bog is a beautiful state park and the facilities are great. In October, campers are few. There are flush toilets and hot showers (and they keep their water turned on longer than most state parks in Minnesota who usually close the shower houses on Oct 7). Serene. The rent boats. Red Lake is beautiful. The Big Bog is fascinating. In October there are no mosquitos or annoying insects.

Stayed here for 2 nights after season in early October. There were plenty of spots and the vault toilets are clean and accessible. There are multiple trails and some beautiful vistas. The water was turned off for the season but there were multiple access points for the time of year when it is turned on. It’s quite close to the southern visitor centers of voyageurs, about 1 hour from rainy lake visitor center. Very easily accessible. As a solo female traveler I felt very safe. Definitely would recommend. No other facilities available other than vault toilets though so come prepared to not shower!

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There was no public potable water source, the bathrooms were dingy and ill stocked, the showers were so moldy and stinky and clearly hadn’t been cleaned in ages. Campsites close together and no privacy. Small and fellow campers were quiet and it felt safe. Also we checked in online and it was called Voyageurs campground and RV park yet the address took us to Arnold’s and they are the same place.

Despite advertising sites as “tent site” this campground, it is definitely not suitable for tents. We booked a tent site that was in a block of other tent sites. When we arrived, we saw a HUGE RV in the site next to ours that took up our space. We decided to not stay. Maybe great for vans and RVs, but not for tent camping.

The campground (CG) was easy to find, and the regular street address brought us right into the CG. One of our friends had arrived a few days early and let us know that the CG manager was off, so there was no need to stop first at the office at the opposite end of the CG from our site. The sites are set up in a series of cul-de-sacs, but not the traditional cul-de-sac. We had to back in from off the main CG road and then turn slightly to get into back-in site 47 with FHUs. The water and electric were more centered on this very long site, but the sewer was at the back, where we needed around 20’ of sewer hose. The water pressure was around 40 psi. There are a lot of mature trees in this CG, and we actually had to cut down a small tree(with permission) so it wouldn't scratch our rig coming back out. We backed up to a field, so we were able to get a clear shot for Starlink. Our friends had satellite dishes, and they had to move their dishes around mature trees to get a signal. The CG has 25 cable channels that worked well. The CG manager did stop by to see how we were doing and answer any questions we might have, and he let us know where the lawnmower was stored if we wanted to cut the grass around our site during our three-week stay. Our party of four rigs pretty much had the CG to ourselves during our stay. There were six seasonals, but they were mostly only there on the weekends. There were a few campers that came in for a couple of days during our stay. People come to this area for one thing, and that is to fish with a side trip through Canada to Angle Inlet, MN, the farthest point north in the lower 48. The CG has no playground but does have a nice fish-cleaning station. There is a shower and restroom in the little office building. There are two laundry facilities nearby. Baudette has a nice grocery and hardware store. There’s no formal dog park, but we were told the large field adjacent to the park is off-leash, which we took advantage of. We got two bars on Verizon. The CG has WiFi, but we were too far from the antenna to connect. One rig in our party got a signal, but they said it was weak. This CG is about a mile from the Rainy River, so there is no direct water access. Check out Cypress Resort for fishing charters and great food. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this CG.

Woodenfrog MN State Forest: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price 2023: $17 Usage during visit: 50 - 70% Site Privacy: Very private sites are offered Site Spacing: Most are very good Site surface: lightly graveled Reservations: No. First come, first serve Campground Noise: Some inconsiderate groups here during part of our time. I think the hosts were on top of this. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes, scattered spigots . Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit toilet, moderately maintained. Showers: Out of luck here . Pull Throughs: Most, if not all are back ins. Cell Service (AT&T): Good Setting: Densely wooded
Weather: Hot and humid, bearable Dfor with screened shelter Bugs: Mosquitoes. Solar: No, forest is too dense. Host: Yes, but never saw them. Rig size: 25, is about the largest I saw. The sites are large enough for a large RV, but driving through the campground may be the issue. If you have a large rig, check the website. No problem with our 17’ trailer.
Sites: 30 to 41 contain sites with a lake view. They are less private than others. A short trail between sites 39 and 41 lead to the boat dock pictured below.

Brand new, well designed RV Campground next to Boondocks Bar & Grill. They have 21 spaces, 50/30 amp electric only sites. Sites 1-14 are good for big rigs. Management is fantastic, we really enjoyed the park and the restaurant. Will come back here in the future.

Wanted a place with hookups close to Voyageurs. This place was great. One of the most beautiful rivers and falls we’ve seen running right beside the campground. New bathhouse with individual showers. Well-maintained and level sites. Really quiet. Camp host was friendly and helpful. Stayed two nights. Bugs are crazy, but then again, where in Northern Minnesota are they not. Super affordable for the location. Just breathtaking.

Nice grassy site with some shade. Bathrooms were clean but dated. Reasonable rates. Has a lot full time and seasonal.