Williams Narrows
Chippewa National Forest
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.
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.
Need to Know
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.
- 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 vehicle use is permitted only to enter and exit the campground and must adhere to the speed limit of 5 mph. Operators must adhere to state OHV laws.
All regulations are found under 36 CFR 261 and are punishable by fines.
Northern Minnesota is home to black bears. Campers must keep coolers and other bear attractants locked 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.
NEW FOR 2025: Chippewa National Forest Campground Food Storage Order
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.
Reservations must be made at least 4 days in advance. After this window, sites are considered first-come first-serve.
Customers with reservations may change to an open non-reservable site after arrival - please see the campground host as well as a sign at the entrance kiosk for more information. If you would like more site-specific information, call the Deer River Ranger District at 218-246-2123 before making a reservation.
First-come, first-serve sites may be available after the reservation season.
Click here for more information on the Chippewa National Forest.
For more information on tribal camping, click here.
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.
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.
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, take Highway 46 north 15 miles. Turn west on Bowen/Williams Narrows Road (County Road 148) and travel two miles to the campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 011, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop WILLIAMS NARROWS , Type Standard Nonelectric
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