Deer Lake

$16.00/night

1235 DIVISION ST.
DEER RIVER, MN 56636

Occupancy and Use Restrictions for Developed Fee Campgrounds - Food Storage Order

To protect health and safety of humans and bears, from April 1 to November 30, you must secure all food, food containers, scented items (soap, lip balm, toothpaste), and refuse in a closed and locked vehicle, solid camper, rental cabin, or in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certified bear-resistant container or disposed of in a provided bear-resistant trash receptacle. This does not apply when you are preparing, consuming, or visually supervising your food, food containers, scented items, or refuse.

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R, § 261.50(a), the following acts are prohibited within the area described in this Order (the "Restricted Area") and as depicted on the attached map, hereby incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A, within the Blackduck, Walker, Deer River Ranger Districts, Chippewa National Forest, Cass, Itasca, Beltrami Counties, Minnesota.

In effect April 1 - November 30 each year, except while being prepared, consumed, or under on-site visual observance, all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, toothpaste) and refuse shall be stored in a closed, LOCKED vehicle or camper constructed of solid, nonpliable material; in a rental cabin; in an Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee certified bear-resistant container; or disposed of in a provided bear-resistant trash receptacle. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58 (cc).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with a written Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.
Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

RESTRICTED AREA

The Restricted Area is within the following:

Site Name	District	Legal Description
Bimijiwan (Knutson Dam)	Blackduck	Sec. 21, T. 146 N., R. 30 W.
Norway Beach Rec. Area	Blackduck
Cass Lake Loop		Sec. 18, T. 145 N., R. 30 W.
Chippewa Loop		Sec. 8, T. 145 N., R. 30 W.
Norway Beach Loop		Sec. 17, T. 145 N., R. 30 W.
Wanaki Loop		Sec. 8, T. 145 N., R. 30 W.
Webster Lake	Blackduck	Sec. 29, T. 148 N., R. 30 W.
Winnie	Blackduck	Sec. 35, T. 146 N., R. 29 W.
Clubhouse Lake	Deer River	Sec. 12, T. 59 N., R. 26 W. Sec. 7, T. 59 W., R. 25 W.
Cut Foot Sioux Horse Camp	Deer River	Sec. 9, T. 147 N., R. 27 W.
East Seelye	Deer River	Sec. 21, 22, 27, 28, T. 147 N., R. 27W.
West Seelye	Deer River	Sec. 21, T. 147 N., R. 27 W.
Mosomo Point	Deer River	Sec. 25, T. 147 N., R. 27 W.
North and South Deer Lake	Deer River	Sec. 28, T. 147 N., R. 27 W.
North Star	Deer River	Sec. 33, T. 59 N., R. 26 W.
O-Ne-Gum-E	Deer River	Sec. 25, 36, T. 147 N., R. 27 W.
Williams Narrows	Deer River	Sec. 35, T. 147 N., R. 27 W.
Joyce Estate Rental Cabins	Deer River	Sec. 32, T. 58 N., R. 25 W.
Mabel Lake	Walker	Sec. 2, 10, 11, T. 141 N., R. 27 W.
South Pike Bay	Walker	Sec. 34, 35, T. 145 N., R. 31 W.
Stony Point	Walker	Sec. 3, 10, T. 142 N., R. 30 W.

as depicted in Exhibit A of this Order.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the number of human and bear interactions in the developed fee campgrounds. This is necessary for the health and safety of the public and the protection of the bears.

IMPLEMENTATION

This Order will be effective on April 1, 2025, at 12:01 am, and shall remain in effect until November 30, 2029, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.
A list identifying the Restricted Area is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. A map displaying those areas as Exhibit B.
Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. §3581(b)(7).\
Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at any District office, and at the Chippewa National Forest Supervisor's Office in Cass Lake, MN, Telephone number 218-335-8600.
This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.

Done in Cass Lake, Minnesota, this 26 day of February 2025.

MICHAEL STANSBERRY
Forest Supervisor
Chippewa National Forest

Overview

Deer Lake campground is located on the west shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake, next to Lake Winnibigoshish, and is split into two separate loops. North Deer Lake campground has 17 sites; South Deer Lake has 31 campsites. A boat ramp is centrally located between the loops and provides lake access via Biauswah Creek. Visitors come to the area for boating, walleye, northern, sunfish, and crappie fishing, and beautiful scenery. The 26-mile Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Trail runs through the Deer Lake campgrounds and is designated for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

The Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to co-steward resources - making the Forest a great place to recreate as well as a special place where cultural and traditional resources are protected and preserved and the Band’s treaty rights are respected.

Recreation

Boating, swimming, and fishing are popular activities on Cut Foot Sioux Lake. A boat ramp is centrally located between the campground's two loops and provides lake access via Biauswah Creek. A large swimming beach is located at the North Deer Loop and a smaller beach is located at South Deer Loop. Boats may be moored offshore.

Miles of trails in the area provide great hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and birding opportunities. The 26-mile Cut Foot Sioux National RecreationTrail runs through the campground and connects with the Simpson Creek Trail. Off-highway vehicles, including ATVs and UTVs, may be brought to the campground. However, OHVs must be trailered to roads legal for riding outside the campground. OHV use is not permitted on Eagle Nest Road.

Cut Foot Sioux Lake is located next to Lake Winnibigoshish, which can be accessed from Cut Foot Sioux. Lake Winnie offers excellent fishing opportunities for walleye, northern, panfish, and muskie. It is one of Minnesota's premier fisheries. Boating and water skiing are popular activities.

Facilities

The campground offers several single-unit campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.

Vault toilets and handpumps for drinking water are provided. There are no electric hook ups in the campground.

Firewood is available from local vendors.

Natural Features

A sandy swimming beach is located at North Deer Lake campground.

North Deer Loop is covered by a hardwood forest of maple and oak, with some mature pine trees scattered throughout the site. South Deer Loop is forested with mature red and white pines.

The Cut Foot Sioux area is home to a variety of waterfowl and birds of prey, including loons, osprey, and bald eagles. The much larger Lake Winnibigoshish is accessible by boat and within sight of these two campgrounds.

Nearby Attractions

Down the road, East Seelye Bay offers a large picnic area, boat landing with dock and a swimming beach.

Camp site features

Across 30 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 30 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

$16.00 per night

Directions

Take Highway 46 northwest from Deer River, MN. Turn on Eagle Nest Road (Old CR 33) and travel 4 miles west. You will pass East Seelye and West Seelye Campgrounds. Deer Lake Campground is on the left. North Deer is first and South Deer is another half-mile down the road.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 1 PM.

Reviews

39 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Kurt B

Loop:South

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Map needs to show ALL campsites not just the “reservable” sites. There were better sites with adjacent water/boat access.

Leslie U

Loop:North

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Love this campground. Be prepared for no amenities though which is part of the reason we like it. Our only complaint is that the campground host left Sunday afternoon and didn’t show back up until Wednesday. We ended up answering questions for many people coming through.

Marian P

Loop:North

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Our campsite was downwind from the toilet but otherwise, great campground! Loved having direct access to the beach where we could launch kayaks/SUP, watch the sunset, swim and play in the water.

Virginia T

Loop:South

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Absolutely fell in love with the area!!! The campsites were very nice along with the camp host! He was very friendly, helpful, and hospitable!!! The lake was beautiful and so much fun for kayaks!!! Only downfall (which was our own fault for not planning better) was the biting bugs! We were there in spike season for deer flys' and mosquitoes! But with that said would definitely stay again and recommend!!

Laura A

Loop:South

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Gorgeous campground!! Sites are nicely wooded and spaced. Generator hours could be reduced a little as some campers ran them the whole allowed 16 hours everyday. Still was a great trip in a beautiful place .

Brent B

Loop:South

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

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Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve