Best Cabin Camping near Birchdale, MN

WE stayed here a week it has 3 or 4 sites for Rv's or tents. Check or cash only no credit card. The cabins look nice and the deck on the water is nice, boat dock and swim beach on a calm cove on Lake Kabetogama. We were staying close by so we stopped to see where our site was & we were shown a spot that was big & open. When we pulled in 2 days later the spot had someone new in it & we were put up near the cabins. We had to back up a hill in a tight spot to get into. It was where they keep all the extra parts and supplies to maintain the place along with a bit of old junk. We had to use 2 sewer hoses & just got them to stretch to the limits. We hooked up to a hose that was from the fish cleaning house and we had 2 hoses to reach our camper. The electric box was on a different side than the sewer & the water it also was stretched to reach. We weren't happy & complained. She would have refunded my deposit yet you can't just find campgrounds at the last minute I did look for some. 

There is one waterfront site with a view lucky if you can book that minus the poo. 

The worst part is every cabin had at least one big dog and none were ever on a leash. They pooped in our site along with pooping next to our Kayak that was down near the water. One dog came over & got in our empty garbage (the garbage was tied to a fish cleaning table we have) it got tangled & pulled over my entire table & everything on it. We love dogs but they should be on a leash. After a week of them a new family came in renting all the cabins and the same thing, lots of dogs no leashes.

I'm sure this is a nice place if you stay in a cabin and don't mind dog poo. The owner Elaine has had the place for 48 years and works hard, very nice person but she should enforce the dog leash & pick up poop rule. The families that booked all the cabins have come back for 40 years so they love it.  The 2nd group of families have been coming 30 some years. 

We did catch a few nice fish that we couldn't keep they were in the throw back slot. We got a 36" northern Pike & a 20" Walleye. Voyager National Park is for people who like being on the water, boating, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. It is a pretty area not much to do other than boat. 

This is next to Wooden Frog National Forest so you can launch a boat or kayak there too and watch sunset from there. 

I'm sorry to write this bad review but it wasn't pleasant. We were up the street from here in Voyagers national park so we decided to stay another week since we couldn't find openings when they notified us Chippewa won't open.  I try to research good places to camp this was a last minute booking since Chippewa Stony Point campground closed for Covid then needed updated & closed till sept. I would not stay here again.

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

The water is high right now so some of the amenities and campsites are water logged. Sites 1-7 were in great spots with waterfront but crammed together. They could use two less sites. I was in site three and it is squeezed in by 2 and 4. Loads of boats and people fishing as the lake is 5 min boat ride away. The river is perfect for trolling and catching. I chose to kayak the river for 5 hours and saw lots of people. Lots of people catching fish. I also saw you can rent kayak or canoes from the main office which is nice for younger kids. The DNR told me on windy days the river gets crowded so beware. The river is a no to low wake zone so easy to kayak around boats. Plenty of nature to look at while you are in the water.

The cabins look like a lot of fun for a family. Cozy but secluded from the rest of the campground.

Bathrooms were closed due to Covid but shower houses were nice and clean.

The beach and marina trail were not much to speak up but they are there. Gas state is close for ice and sodas. Not much else is near tho so make sure you stock up prior to arriving.

We were in Site # 1 which there are only 3 sites must be self contained. They are close together yet was a place to stay in Voyagers National park with Full hook up. Wooden Frog State Forest  Campground is next door to it you can use their boat ramp & swim beach. The Lodge has rooms and a bar & restaurant you can sit in the log Lodge or out on the deck. Mike makes a good Margarita but a little pricey. The food is ok. The owners are so nice working hard to maintain the place.  There is a small playground and a community fire pit. 

Great place to watch sunset is at Wooden Frog day use area. 

They have a dock you can keep a boat at or rent a boat if you don't have one. They rent Kayaks & canoes too. We had out own Kayak you really need to get out on the water to enjoy Voyageurs National Park it's all water based. We launched the Kayak mostly at Wooden Frog and once at Arrowhead lodge depending on the wind. 

We kayaked to Bittersweet Island and got out to stretch in a cove. Took a dip and relaxed. There are some leeches in the water so check you feet if your walking around in it. Got a nice juvenile Eagle picture here on was sitting in a tree. 

lake Kabetogama is big with many islands. It can be shallow in places with big rocks submerged out of the water so know where your going. Being in a Kayak you could really see the rocks. We found a nice Swim area off an Island near the submerged rocks with warnings there was primitive camp sites on the islands some were really nice.

Fishing is great we caught Walleye & big Northern Pike.  They clean your fish for you if you want them to.

There are loons (love the sound they make) and White Pelican's on the lake. Some of the white pelicans had big bumps on their beak which we found out they have that bump till they mate. Then the bump falls off so you feel sorry for the ones with a bump on their upper beak. The white throat Sparrow has a great tune they carry. 

We saw several Eagles on the islands out there too. 

We Like to explore so we check out other campgrounds, visitors centers if open and really enjoyed eating at the Rocky Ledge (great Pizza and Patty Melt). International falls is the biggest town it's about a half hour or so away. We ate at Barajas Mexican Grill it was good. Got some groceries and went to one Antique store there. 

Heading the other direction on the Highway was another Antique place called Rainy days Antique. Nice people & a lot of stuff in there. 

We mostly had good weather yet we did have some rain & some marble sized hail once. Some big trees came down in Wooden frog with this storm that had hail.

I came across BB by accident a few years ago - last minute camping trip in the summer in MN is never going to work out well. The main campground was booked but there was a weird site between the ranger station and the loop so I took a shot. BINGO. They have a site - 31 - that is perfect. About 5x the size of a normal site (perhaps a group site?). No neighbors. Primitive but the campground only has 31 sites so you’re never far away from water, showers, or the ranger station. Cannot recommend highly enough. The main campground backs up to the Tamarack River which flows to Red Lake. Across the road from the camp is Red Lake recreation area. You can w a l k out into the lake for what seems like miles. Very family friendly. There are sites with docks into the river and there is boat access in the campground. Cabins are available as is firewood and an electric charge port for e-vehicles.

This campground is great for fisherman and a great place to stay if you are interested in studying rare bog plants. The campsites are pretty good, some are nicely set right on the Tamarack River with their own dock, but some are set right on the edge of nearby Hwy 72 which would be a real drawback. There are also 6 nice camper cabins set off in a more secluded spot by the river. There is an interesting visitor center and fire tower, and a decent beach across the way on upper Red Lake. For fishermen, this location offers fishing on the big Red Lake, or on the Tamarack River, but otherwise thete is not a whole lot to do here. The Big Bog itself is actually 10 miles north, it features a mile long boardwalk into a very unique bog and muskeg, which is very interesting, there are some associated short trails, this location is good for a day trip. For providing a camping or hiking experience, this park campground is ok, but probably not a good spot for an extended vacation, unless you are coming for the fishing in which case it would be a 5 star opportunity

I just learned about this gem a few days ago, so we made a reservation and ended up with a site right on the Tamarac River which empties into Upper Red Lake just outside the campground. It is a fairly new state park, so the amenities were very nice ~ a clean and fresh shower/restroom building, a very nice fish cleaning building with multiple cleaning stations, and many docks along the river to tie your boat, fish off, or just sit in the sun and read a book. We enjoyed climbing the fire tower, renting a canoe and paddling the Tamarac River, and going for a morning run on the Big Bog Boardwalk. I give it 4 stars for 2 reasons; it is the only state park I know of that doesn't sell ice, and I wish our site had been mowed more recently. However, we had a great couple days and will definitely go back!