1 campground with availability this weekend
Big Bog State Recreation Area provides luxury glamping accommodations in Minnesota's northernmost region, approximately 70 miles from Birchdale. The site features comfortable camper cabins along the scenic Tamarack River with direct water access. These well-appointed cabins offer more amenities than standard camping, including propane stoves and sleeping space for 5-6 people. One reviewer highlighted, "Great Campground, we were 1 of only 2 campers there. The camper cabin at Big Bog State Park was a cozy retreat during winter." The cabins are set in a secluded location by the river, offering privacy while maintaining access to modern facilities including clean showers, bathrooms, and a visitor center with amenities.
Water activities dominate the recreational options at Big Bog's glamping sites, with kayak and canoe rentals available at reasonable rates for exploring the Tamarack River and nearby Upper Red Lake. The mile-long boardwalk extending into the 500-square-mile bog provides a unique nature experience where visitors can observe rare bog plants, including carnivorous pitcher plants and seasonal wildflowers. A recent visitor mentioned, "The Big Bog Boardwalk feels like you are walking amongst the treetops. Don't miss it!" The park also features a fire tower for climbing, fishing opportunities directly from private docks, and beach access at Northern Red Lake across the highway. Winter guests staying in the heated cabins can enjoy ice fishing on Red Lake, making this a year-round glamping destination with seasonal activities.
"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."
"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"
Available this weekend
from $24 - $85 / night
"Beautiful setting with sites in the open up on the hill and sites along the river in the woods. 50 amp electric and water with no sewer. There is a dump station in town."
GuideSpot was perfect for a single night and was quite and clean. Only downside was it was difficult to get in touch with the manager to pay for the spot. Highly recommend for visiting Voyageurs National Park.
LegendWe 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
ScoutBig 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.
ScoutWe decided last minute to see if Big Bog had camping spots available during a busy month and on the weekend. They did! And quite a few available. The campsites are very close together so you will have interactions with your neighboring campers. This was fine with us but if you want more privacy this is NOT your spot. They had kayaks, canoes and paddle boards available to rent. The price was very reasonable. We loved kayaking on the water and even found a little peaceful inlet to kayak. It was very peaceful. Excellent place to visit. The Big Bog Boardwalk feels like you are walking amongst the treetops. Don't miss it!
GuideI 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.
GuideGreat Campground, we were 1 of only 2 campers there. We went to the Upper Red Lake Beach, right across the street from the Cabins. We also drive to the upper unit and hiked the Big Bog Boardwalk, which was actually light filtering metal - no boards. The bog land was fascinating and the carnivorous plants were beautiful. Bog walk was about 1 mile, one way.
RangerAnxious to get camping after a Covid winter, we headed to Big Bog for a 3 day RV trip. The campground was nearly empty, which is always a bonus.
The campground has numerous sites next to the Tamarack River. Many have small docks where you can park your own or a rented boat. Our site was spacious and a row of shrubs and small trees screened the site on one side. Due to Covid the showers and toilets were not open. The water spigots were still shut off due to weather that is still dipping down to freezing.
Northern Red Lake beach is across the highway from the campground. Still too cold to swim, but there are two short trails that start at the beach parking lot. We saw Trumpeter Swans, Eagles and Mergansers.
The 500 square mile Big Bog is a beautiful and interesting sight. About 7 miles farther north on the highway is the mile long "boardwalk" into the bog. It is actually a cleverly routed aluminum walkway that goes deep into the bog with info stations giving info about the wildlife, biology and history of the area. Too early for many birds and all flowers, we did see hundreds of pitcher plants along the walkway.
We would like to visit again in late May or June to see the other bog wildflowers like Sundew and several bog orchids like the tiny Dragon's Mouth.
ScoutSite 15 was a complete bog. Swamp all around the camper. The entire site, aside from the parking pad, was soggy and wet. The mosquitos were horrid -coming from a MN girl-it was bad. Planned for 3 nights, left after 1. Would be a nice place if you were planning on spending no time by the fire and all the time on the boat.
RangerThe town of Littlefork offers a 15 site RV/camping park alongside the Little Fork River. Beautiful setting with sites in the open up on the hill and sites along the river in the woods. 50 amp electric and water with no sewer. There is a dump station in town. Sites are $20.00 per night. $100.00 for seven nights and $300.00 for a month. This is a very nice park and well run by Roger!! I would definitely give it five stars if it had sewer at the sites. Highly recommend for the price and the small town feel!!
Big Bog State Recreation Area features six camper cabins situated along the Tamarack River, providing camping amenities approximately 70 miles from Birchdale, Minnesota. These cabins are particularly popular during winter months when ice fishing draws visitors to nearby Upper Red Lake. The campground includes 31 total sites with a mix of river-front and wooded locations, with some sites backing up to Highway 72.
Explore the boardwalk: The mile-long aluminum walkway at Big Bog State Recreation Area offers a unique experience to observe bog ecology. "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," notes reviewer Janet R.
Kayak the Tamarack River: Rent boats directly from the visitor center to explore the calm waters. "We loved kayaking on the water and even found a little peaceful inlet to kayak. It was very peaceful," explains Meredith T., who visited Big Bog and found the rental prices reasonable.
Climb the fire tower: The observation tower provides expansive views of the surrounding landscape. One visitor recommends it as "a Destination that I would recommend" while describing the camping amenities at Big Bog.
Fall camping season: Several campers note October as an ideal time to visit Big Bog State Recreation Area. "October is best... 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)," writes Sheila P.
Riverside camping sites: Sites 1-8 border the Tamarack River with direct water access. One camper explains: "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."
Winter yurt camping: The camper cabins at Big Bog provide year-round yurt-like accommodations near Birchdale, Minnesota. "They are available even in winter as ice fishermen like to stay here to get onto Red Lake," explains one visitor, noting the cabins' winter accessibility.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Some sites are packed together while others offer more seclusion. "I came across BB by accident a few years ago... They have a site - 31 - that is perfect. About 5x the size of a normal site (perhaps a group site?). No neighbors," reports Farfisa J. at Big Bog State Recreation Area.
Highway noise affects certain sites: Sites 19-30 border Highway 72 with limited vegetation buffer. A visitor warns: "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."
Seasonal water levels impact site quality: Spring conditions can create soggy conditions at some sites. "Site 15 was a complete bog. Swamp all around the camper. The entire site, aside from the parking pad, was soggy and wet," reports Thia C., who cut their trip short due to wet conditions.
Look for river sites for direct water access: Sites 1-7 provide the best access for families with boats. "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," notes Scott M. from Lofgren Memorial Park.
Visit the wildlife viewing areas: The bog boardwalk offers educational opportunities for children. "Too early for many birds and all flowers, we did see hundreds of pitcher plants along the walkway," reports one visitor who noted the interpretive stations along the route.
Consider the camper cabins for yurt-style camping: The secluded cabin area provides a good option for families near Birchdale, Minnesota. "The cabins look like a lot of fun for a family. Cozy but secluded from the rest of the campground," explains Scott M., who observed the cabins during his stay.
Water and electric hookups available: RV campers can access basic utilities. "The town of Littlefork offers a 15 site RV/camping park alongside the Little Fork River. Beautiful setting with sites in the open up on the hill and sites along the river in the woods. 50 amp electric and water with no sewer," explains Bradley H. at Lofgren Memorial Park.
Limited services in surrounding area: Stock up on supplies before arrival. "Gas state is close for ice and sodas. Not much else is near tho so make sure you stock up prior to arriving," advises a Big Bog visitor.
Spring water conditions affect access: Early season visitors should check site conditions. "The water is high right now so some of the amenities and campsites are water logged," notes one spring visitor, highlighting the seasonal challenges of camping in this region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Birchdale, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Birchdale, MN is Big Bog State Recreation Area Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 12 reviews.
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