Best Glamping near Chippewa National Forest, MN

CAMPGROUND REVIEW

Itasca State Park is a primo destination in northern Minnesota for folks interested in exploring the headwaters of the Mississippi River. There are several campgrounds, group camps, cabins and lodge accomodations in the park that suit most visitors. But for folks who want a wilderness experience while at the headwaters, there are miles of wilderness trails in the backcountry area on the southern end of the park—and there are campsites and Adirondack shelters scattered throughout the myriad glacial lakes of this backcountry, enough so that you could backpack by foot or on snowshoes or cross country skis for a week through the territory, staying at a different lakes every night. April in Minnesota means we are still winter camping—but despite the snow, the sun is bright and warm, and it is great to get out into it. The park is at its peak of solitude in the winter, but if you can find a way to get to a campsite, they are open and reservable. This review is for Remote Campsite 11, located on an isthmus between Coffee Break Lake and Deer Park Lake. It is a several mile hike in from the nearest parking areas, either via Mary Kake and the Ozawindib Trail, or via the Deer Park Trail from Douglas Lodge. The trail is rolling and maintained for cross country skiers, snowshoers and snowhikers in the winter. This campsite is located just past the Ozawindib Adirondack Shelter, which is a good backup if its too windy or cold at the campsite. The campsite itself is down a hill by the lakeshore, between two lakes actually, on a rise that overlooks both. There is an additional campsite nearby on the south end of Deer Park Lake, campsite 10. There is a tent pad sheltered under the tall pines (and currently under the snow!) as well as a fire ring and an outhouse. There is no water provided, but a large bucket is available, so you can get lake water and filter it, or melt snow or bring your own. This is a great location for folks who like winter camping as the trek in is only a few miles, I was able to do it easily carrying a backpack of gear on my back, and a front pack with my dog when she got tired if trudging through the snow. And of course it is an easy hike in during the milder snow-free seasons. The site is scenic, pristine, and largely sheltered from the wind. The vista north over Coffee Break Lake would be awesome for viewing northern lights, this is a dark sky part of the park. It can get a little muddy in the transition season, including around the campfire area, so we hung out at the Adirondack shelter nearby and did our cooking there.

To see a map and reserve a back country campsite at Itasca, check this link:

https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/Facilities/AdvanceSearch.aspx

For more info on Remote Camping in Minnesota State Parks, see this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/remote_camping.html

For general info on Itasca State Park, go to the homepage: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181#homepage

PRODUCT REVIEW

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I ocasionally get camping products to test out. Today I am testing Mountain House Southwest Breakfast Hash https://www.mountainhouse.com/m/product/spicy-southwest-breakfast-hash.html

Mountain House makes lightwieght, freeze-dried trail meals that are "cooked" in their own pouches using only boiling water. The sealed pouches are durable and lightwieght to carry, and the no-fuss no-muss prep of adding boiling water and letting it stand for 4 minutes in the re-sealable pouch is really easy. Since I was carrying my gear on my back, and carrying my tired little dog in a front pack carrier, I certainly didnt want to have extra weight! But these meal pouches are so light you hardly know you are carrying them. This pouch of SW breakfast hash had more than enough for two people plus some leftover for the dog, we served it up on tortillas that we had also packed, but you could eat it straight up. The hash featured beans, corn, potatoes, veggies and shredded beef for a well rounded complete meal as is, but you could extend the servings by scrambling it with eggs to dish up for a larger group. The taste and texture were surprisingly good, tasty without being too spicy, and I would defintiely buy this again. See our video review at https://youtu.be/nB9lBmjUsqU

Itasca State Park is a jewel in the state park system of Minnesota, and the park’s Pine Ridge campground is where hordes and crowds of visitors stay when visiting it in summer. The park is very quiet and lightly used in winter, but wow, its the best time of year! The paths to famous spots like the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the visitor centers are plowed and maintained, and there are myriad groomed trails from cross country skiing and snow shoeing. A lot of people go ice fishing too. There is not a big demand for camping so mist if the campsites are closed, but Pine Ridge does maintain a selection of campsites with hookups for those who do want to venture forth. The campground bath houses are closed for the winter and water is shut off, but you can car camp and rv with hookups if you want, or tent camp if you know how to do so comfortably in winter and dint mind using outhouses in the campground. There is running water and regular bathrooms at the main visitor’s center so that is an option, but several miles drive from the winter campsites. So, bottom line, come prepared with all your own supplies, and make sure you know how to stay warm if car or tent camping. A winter visit to the park is well worth it!

This place is so beautiful and very well kept! There are beachside paths right to the lake from your campsite. Surrounded by trees so shaded and privacy. Im a single female traveling and feel totally safe! Will be visiting again

Sites are all wooded. We stayed in Chippewa Loop. No water hookup at the sites, you have to fill up at the various spigots around the park. Showers are hot, but the shower rooms and bathrooms are old and worn out. Relatively clean, just..well…OLD.

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.

I didn’t plan on staying here. The name caught our attention just when we needed a rest. A friendly visitor center and quite the trail along the beach and we found a site. 

Sites with beach access were taken so we chose one away from the crowd. We had half the campground to ourselves. Site 127 was right across from the restroom and still was large and private. We had plenty of space after setting up the teardrop and screen room. Walk down the road and access to the boat launch and bike trail we’re easily accessible. The loud family group on the other side didn’t bother us. It did look like many sites were reserved but many had no marker. 

We hiked 5 miles of the bike trail along with some foot-only ones. We passed cyclists and jet skiing family groups. It’s down the road from town - also bike-able. 

We’re glad we found this campground. It would be a perfect family beach getaway.

Large sites will fit RVs and tents, picnic tables and fire pits with cooking grates, clean restrooms with running water, flush toilets and showers! Lake right there for recreating, bike trail. Campground Host on site. Firewood and ice for sale nearby.

I saw the sign for a campground on the road and I thought I check it out. It's a campground by a lake with a hiking trail, pit toilettes, and boat launch. 

People come here off-roading, fishing, boating, and hunting.

I was visiting in September, Labor day weekend, and half of the sites were empty. I got a really nice, large spot on the lake. It's a primitive campground, with no any sort of electricity or even garbage service. First come first serve, there is an envelope stand at the entrance.

Depending on what way you are coming from, you have to drive a few miles on gravel forest roads. It's not bad though.

I did try the trail that goes around the lake, it's about 3.5 miles long. It goes through the forest mainly, not a very exciting trail, very easy. There is a place where you can walk on the bog and sit down on a bench for a nice view. That was the pretty part.

So many mosquitos though, you better spray yourself before going on the hike. I forgot and bugs were chasing me. I couldn't stop at all, I was rushing through the trail.

Overall, a nice National Forest Campground, quiet it's perfect for an outdoorsy weekend.

I had a strong AT&T signal, enough to run Netflix and do online surfing.

Been going here for 20 years and never disappointed. Swimming beach, hiking trails, bike trails, interpretive programs, great staff both secluded and shared campsites. Bog walk has to be experienced.

First time camping at this park in June 2019 and found it to be clean and well maintained. Some short easy trails and part of the Paul Bunyan State trail is their. Great if you bicycle? Jog or simply walk. Sites are pretty level, but not very secluded but you do have distance between sites. Facilities are well maintained and clean.

If easy camping is what you're looking for, this is it. Our 15X15 tent fit in their listed 12X12 spot. Built in grill on fire rings with park bench and table. Potable water available to everyone. Perfect cell reception as it's eyesight to the city of Bemidji. Self serve wood and ice when office is closed. Even a vending machine. Amazing showers for a camp ground, bathrooms ok and clean. If you want to get away while still being in easy driving range of city. Hiking trails are quite a walk but easy and cleared. Beach, dock, sand volleyball court. Some outdoor showers also available but they were buggy when we went mid July.

Gravel sites with some slope. Good bathrooms and showers.

My best friend and I love to camp with our dogs, and this location was perfect we had a wonderful tent spot. The back was all woods and we went pretty late into the season so there was only us and maybe 5 other campers through out the whole park!! The hiking trails are wonderful and well kept!

Have stayed at this State Park three times now. It's a great park with lots to do. This year we went early in the season so no swimming, but still lots to do. We took advantage of the beautiful bog walks and bike trails. Our kids like that there is a playground. Nice protected marina to dock your boat in as well. Great park. Only reason why I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is because most of the sites are not private at all and very close to one another.

We just got back from Lake Bemidji, it was ok. The amenities were great, and there was a sandy beach for swimming and watching the sunset. My only/biggest complaint is that the sites have no privacy and they don't separate tent and camper camping. We had a great view until our neighbors came with their trailer taking away from the experience.

Well maintained, clean modern bathrooms. Several good hiking trails. Nice swimming beach. Sites are a little close together.

Quiet night on the most secluded spot.