Williams Narrows

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

Williams Narrows Campground is located on Cut Foot Sioux Lake in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest. Visitors come to the area for boating, trophy muskie fishing and beautiful scenery.

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 and swimming beach are located between the campground's two loops.

Miles of trails in the area provide great hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and birding opportunities. The Simpson Creek Trail and Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Area Trail can be accessed by boating across the narrows.

Cut Foot Sioux Lake is located next to Lake Winnibigoshish. Lake Winnie offers excellent fishing opportunities for walleye, perch, and muskie. It is one of Minnesota's premier fisheries. Boating and water skiing are popular activities there as well.

Facilities

The campground offers several single-unit campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and hand pumps for drinking water are provided in each loop.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the eastern shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake. A scenic forest of birch, oak and pine trees shades the campground. A few campsites have lake views.

The lake is home to a variety of waterfowl and birds of prey, including loons, osprey and bald eagles.

Camp site features

Across 16 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 16 sites
Largest party: 8 people

Fees

$16.00 per night

Directions

From Deer River, take Highway 46 north 15 miles. Turn west on Bowen/Williams Narrows Road (County Road 148) and travel two miles to the campground.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

19 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Brenda B

Loop:Williams Narrows

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Loved the camping. Bathroom clean, beach and campsites clean. One thing that we missed was that usually the camp host will come say hi and talk ect. This time they never talked to us at all.

Chris B

Loop:Williams Narrows

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Nice campsite!

Melissa I

Loop:Williams Narrows

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Love the campground and the hosts were helpful and personable. We do, however, wish that the poison ivy, within the campground sites could be distinguished! There is PLENTY of it on the roadways and surrounding areas. Just dont understand WHY it can't be a bit controlled IN the site areas??? It is not a necessary foliage for anything "good"! We LOVE coming here, but, my husband, especially, contracts it, every time we visit. If something cannot be done, we may need to discontinue our 5-6 visits, along with others we co-camp with, in the future😞 please do something about the immediate campsite areas, so that we may continue to visit this pristine, primitive area! There is PLENTY of the poison ivy in many other areas, i dont feel it NEEDS to be in the immediate campsites! Thank you

Melissa I

Loop:Williams Narrows

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Outdoor toilets are clean for those type of toilets! It was clean and properly manicured! Some of the picnic tables were repaired, finally, we have camped there for 3 years now and always enjoy the atmosphere!

Lori P

Loop:Williams Narrows

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

I’ve been going to Williams narrows since I was a young teenager. It’s my favorite place in the world. The only hard part is the steep hill from our camp spot to our boat.

Rachel C

Loop:Williams Narrows

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Very nice campsite. A little tight backing in, but once in alot of space. Enough to fit a camper, truck, boat, and car and still have space. This site also leads down to the boat landing with a walking trail. Mosquitos are bad but used camp mist and citronella candles and it seemed to help alot.

Availability

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

Reserve