Map showing campground location near Deer River, Minnesota

Camper submitted image from Plug Hat Point

Plug Hat Point

Within Chippewa National Forest, Plug Hat Point operates as a US Forest Service facility requiring boat access to reach its camping areas. The campground provides basic amenities including drinking water, restrooms, picnic tables, and trash service, with pets permitted throughout the site.

Recent reviews indicate the drive-in campsites have been closed due to reduced Forest Service staffing, though paddlers on the Mississippi Headwaters water trail can still tent camp in dispersed areas adjacent to the picnic grounds. The boat launch features a dock and concrete ramp, and campers with portage carts can use the access road to bypass the steep portage directly at Winnie Dam located half a mile away. Cell service reaches the area, making it accessible for those needing connectivity during their stay.

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Location

Public Campground

Plug Hat Point is located in Minnesota

Coordinates

47.43743472 N
94.05573536 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/2/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 5/2/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

2 hrs 1 min from Duluth, MN
2 hrs 45 min from St. Cloud, MN
2 hrs 49 min from Grand Forks, ND
2 hrs 59 min from Fargo, ND

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2 Reviews

Keith L.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 27, 2021

Hike in undeveloped camp.

There is a old road behind several permanently closed gates that after .2 miles leads to the back of the swamp to an old campsite marker (at the posted coords). No evidence of camping in many years.

Month of VisitOctober

Janet R.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Small and limited access during pandemic

This location is actually a duplicate of The Dyrts Plug Hat Point listing which is here and should be merged: https://thedyrt.com/camping/minnesota/plug-hat-point

Also, note that the location needs to be corrected, Plug Hat Point Campground is at Latitude 47.439 N Longitude-94.055 W .

This is a small National Forest camping area with picnicking, fishing, and a boat landing. At present time, there is full boat access, picnicking and parking available at this location, but the adjacent drive-in campsites are closed to vehicle camping during the pandemic due to reduced Forest Service staffing. However, paddlers on the Mississippi Headwaters water trail are allowed to tent here as dispersed campers adjacent to the picnic area while through-paddling. There are outhouses and water avaialble in the picnic area, as well as use of the boat launch which has a nice dock and cement ramp for easy access. From here, 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 that is located right at the dam. You do need a good portage cart, however, as the access road from Plug Hat Point is not paved.

Sitewater trail tent site

Month of VisitAugust

(7) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

I don't have enough information to generate relevant FAQ questions.

Plug Hat Point appears to be a permanently closed camping area. The site features an old road behind several locked gates that leads about 0.2 miles to what was once a campsite marker in a swampy area. There is no evidence of recent camping activity at this location, and the area has not been maintained for visitor use in quite some time. Anyone looking for camping options in this region should consider alternative locations, as this site is no longer viable for overnight stays. For current camping options in Minnesota, contact the local forest service or park authority for up-to-date recommendations.

Are fires allowed at Plug Hat Point?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Plug Hat Point, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Is there cell phone reception at Plug Hat Point?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, no coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.

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