Deer Lake

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from May 2 through September 29. Many sites are reservable through Recreation.gov, with remaining sites available first-come, first-served.

Notify on Availability Reserve

About

Deer Lake Campground occupies a scenic location on the west shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest. The campground is divided into two distinct loops: North Deer Lake with 17 campsites nestled in a hardwood forest of maple and oak with scattered mature pines, and South Deer Lake with 31 campsites shaded by mature red and white pines. A centrally located boat ramp between the loops provides access to Cut Foot Sioux Lake via Biauswah Creek, connecting boaters to both Cut Foot Sioux and the much larger Lake Winnibigoshish. The area is renowned for exceptional fishing opportunities, with Cut Foot Sioux and Lake Winnibigoshish offering excellent angling for walleye, northern pike, panfish, crappie, sunfish, and muskie. Swimming is available at a large beach in North Deer and a smaller beach at South Deer. The 26-mile Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Trail runs through the campground and connects to the Simpson Creek Trail, providing extensive opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Off-highway vehicles including ATVs and UTVs may be brought to the campground but must be trailered to legal riding areas outside the campground. The area supports diverse wildlife including loons, osprey, and bald eagles. The Chippewa National Forest and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to co-steward these lands, making it a place where recreation and cultural preservation intersect.

Directions

From Deer River, MN, take Highway 46 northwest. Turn onto Eagle Nest Road (Old CR 33/FR 2198) and travel 4 miles west. North Deer Loop appears first on the left; South Deer Loop is another half-mile down the road.