Deer Lake

Chippewa National Forest

Deer Lake Campground is located on scenic Cut Foot Sioux Lake, next to Lake Winnibigoshish, in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest. Visitors come to the area for boating, walleye, northern, sunfish, and crappie fishing, and beautiful scenery.

The campground offers several single-family campsites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water are provided. Firewood is available for purchase from the host.

Need to Know

• Fee includes one camping unit (camper, RV, pop-up, family tent) per site; additional units will be charged an additional fee.
• First-come, first-served sites may be available after the reservation season.

• Click here for more information on the Chippewa National Forest.

• 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 always remain on a leash. 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 is strictly prohibited.

  All regulations are found under 36 CFR 261 and are punishable by fines.

• Bundled firewood is no longer available in Chippewa National Forest campgrounds. Firewood may be available for sale at the Discovery Center or other outlets. 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 is not permitted in the campground.

Natural Features

Deer Lake Campground is situated on the northwest shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake and is split into two separate loops. The North Deer Loop is covered by a hardwood forest of maple and oak, with some mature pine trees scattered throughout the area. South Deer Loop is forested with mature red and white pines.

Cut Foot Sioux 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.

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 Recreation Area Trail runs through the campground and connects with the Simpson Creek Trail. People with ATV's can camp in the campground, however, ATV's must be trailered to roads legal for riding outside the campground.


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.

Contact Information

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1235 DIVISION ST. DEER RIVER MN 56636

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 218-246-2123

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Deer River, travel northwest on Highway 46. Turn on Eagle Nest Road and continue west for four miles, past East Seelye and West Seelye campgrounds. Deer Lake Campground is on the left. 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, South Deer is another half-mile down the road.

Available Campsites

• Site 004S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site XXX, Loop MANAGEMENT SITES 1, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site X, Loop MANAGEMENT SITES, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005N, Loop NORTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018S, Loop SOUTH, Type Standard Nonelectric

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