Big Rice Lake Campground

About

Big Rice Lake Campground is a rustic, drive-in campground located within the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. The campground offers three primitive campsites suitable for tents and small RVs, each equipped with a fire ring and tent pad. A single vault toilet serves the area. There is no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system and no camping fee. The campground sits on the shore of Big Rice Lake, a large but shallow lake covering 1,870 acres with a maximum depth of just 5 feet. The lake has supported wild rice harvesting for over 2,000 years, a tradition that continues today. A boat launch accommodates small watercraft for fishing and waterfowl viewing. Duck hunting is popular in season. Access is via Forest Roads 256 and 247, which are narrow gravel roads requiring careful navigation. Each site can accommodate one vehicle plus a towed boat trailer. Quiet hours are enforced from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet.

Directions

From Virginia, MN, take Highway 53 north for 8 miles to County Road 131. Turn right on CR-131 for 1 mile. Turn left on County Road 68 for 0.3 mile. Continue straight on Pelton Road/County 405 (becomes UT8116) for 2 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 256 (narrow one-lane gravel) for 6 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 247 for 1 mile to the campground.