Camping & Cabins

West Seelye campground is open on a temporary basis from 5/9/25-5/26/25 due to a need for overflow camping in the Cut Foot area. Fee is $10/night, paid by fee envelope with cash or check. Senior passes get half-price rate.

Amenities at West Seelye include: picnic tables, fire pits, two restrooms, and spacious shaded sites. There is no drinking water source or garbage service. For drinking water and garbage service, campers may use East Seelye Bay campground. Boat access is through the Deer Lake access or East Seelye Bay access. All campground rules and Forest Orders apply.

Please be "bear aware" while recreating in the Chippewa National Forest and have a plan in place to securely store food and food waste while visiting Forest campgrounds. 

As a reminder, the Chippewa National Forest no longer has firewood available in the forest campgrounds, this is due to constraints on the agency to sell such items. Campers are always welcome to collect dead and down wood for campfires from the surrounding forest. Visitors may also acquire firewood from local vendors, resorts, grocery stores and gas stations before arriving at their destination.

Developed Campgrounds

Camp Life - everything you need to know about Chippewa's developed campgrounds.

Developed campgrounds have overnight fees ranging from $14 to $26 per night, with reservable and first-come, first-serve campsites in most of the campgrounds. Sites are accessible and some have drive-through parking. Electricity (30 amp) is available at the Chippewa Loop, Onegume and Stony Point campgrounds. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring and parking spot.

Dispersed Camping

If you enjoy getting back to basics…  The Chippewa National Forest offers a range of camping opportunities! The Forest has several developed campgrounds but for a more rustic experience, there are over 60 maintianed dispersed campsites on the Forest. In addition, most of the Chippewa National Forest is open for primitive camping, which can occur anywhere except in developed sites or where otherwise posted. Dispersed camping is open year round!

There are no fees for dispersed camping; however there are some rules intended to protect the resources. Access is typically by foot, boat or canoe. Dispersed campsites are located along most lakes and rivers, offering the perfect opportunity to explore the many canoe routes on the forest.

RV Camping

For those that enjoy "RV Camping," choose anyone of the Chippewa National Forests several developed campgrounds.   Some campgrounds will offer interpretive trails, sandy beaches, bike trails, boat ramps and more!

Campground facilities vary from flush toilets and showers to rustic campgrounds with vault toilets and hand pumps. Each campsite has a picnic table, fireplace, tent pad and parking spot.

Reservations

Reservations for developed campgrounds can be made up to six months in advance via the Recreation.gov website or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reminder, make your reservations at least four days in advance of your camping trip. The Norway Beach picnic shelter may be reserved for $75/day.  There is a fee charged at the time a reservation is made to cover the cost of reservation services and is non-refundable.

For questions or changes regarding reservations please call 1-877-444-6777. For general information please contact the nearest District Office.

Rules & Reservation Policies: https://www.recreation.gov/rules-reservation-policies

Backcountry Camping

Looking for something even quieter? There are 76 designated backcountry managed campsites located throughout the Forest. Campers can access these sites via car, boat or on foot. These sites are non-reservable and require no fees. Backcountry maps for different areas of the Forest are available. Before your adventure in
the backcountry, please check with the ranger district in Deer River, Walker or Blackduck. Staff can provide more specific information on individual sites, road conditions and directions.

More information:

As a reminder, the Chippewa National Forest no longer has firewood available in the forest campgrounds, this is due to constraints on the agency to sell such items. Campers are always welcome to collect dead and down wood for campfires from the surrounding forest. Visitors may also acquire firewood from local vendors, resorts, grocery stores and gas stations before arriving at their destination.