East Seelye Bay Campground is located 20 Miles north of Deer River off Highway 46 and 4 miles west on Eagle Nest Road (FR 2198). East Seelye Bay has 13 first-come, first-served campsites, a picnic area, swimming beach, boat ramp, and parking area.
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.
Fee includes one camping unit per site. Double occupancy is not permitted on single unit sites; on large sites double occupancy is permitted. The second occupant must pay the full nightly amount for each night of stay by using a fee envelope at the entrance kiosk. Please read the fee board upon entering the campground to see what qualifies for single and double occupancy. Vehicles and/or trailers must not block any part of roadways or gates at any time.
Some important campground rules:
- Quiet hours are from 10pm – 6am. Generators cannot be run during this time. If you have a medical condition that requires powered equipment, please plan accordingly with battery backup.
- Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash 6' or shorter in length at all times. Pets are not allowed in beach areas.
- Campfires cannot be left unattended. They must be extinguished before the campsite is vacated.
- Fireworks, including sparklers, are not allowed.
- Cutting/damaging live vegetation is not allowed. You may gather dead and downed wood for campfires if it fits within the fire ring.
- The use of power saws, including electric chainsaws, is strictly prohibited.
- Off-highway vehicles are not permitted on Eagle Nest Road. If desiring to use OHVs, vehicle must be trailered to a road where OHV use is permitted.
All regulations are found under 36 CFR 261 and are punishable by fines.
Minnesota is a Bear Aware state. Campers must keep coolers and other bear attractants inside hard-sided campers or in vehicles when not attended, including overnight. Black bears are present and active within the campground area. Feeding any wildlife, including hanging bird feeders, is strictly prohibited.
Bundled firewood is no longer available in Chippewa National Forest campgrounds. Firewood may be available for sale at local vendors, or may be brought from home if within Itasca County. You may also cut dead and downed wood in the forest without a permit as long as it will be used in the campground. Chainsaw use (gas and electric) is not permitted in the campground.
Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Click here for more information on the Chippewa National Forest.
For more information on tribal camping, click here.
Opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating on Lake Winnibigoshish abound. The Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Trail runs past the campground and along Seelye Point, it is an unpaved trail used for hiking and horseback riding. The East Seelye Point Trail also runs through the campground, and there is easy access down the road to the Simpson Creek Trail system.
For campground inquiries, please call: N/A
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