Big Bog State Recreation Area

We 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!

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.

Great 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.