Recreation


A bike parade with Smokey Bear with a Find Adventure Here Chippewa National Forest icon.

Discover an Area by Activity

Select an activity to find an area to visit.

The Chippewa National Forest offers recreational opportunities for all ages and abilities. Find your favorite activity and see what the Forest has to offer. 

Snow Points  Winter Bingo  Snowmobiling  Snowshoeing  Fishing Night Sky

 

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
Bimijiwan (bi-mi-ji-wan) recreation area Open Open One gate at Bimijiwan was opened today. There is currently 1 gate open and 1 closed. The Cass Lake level today is 1301.80 and the estimated outflow is 338 CFS.
Camp Rabideau Trail Open Open For tours: Call 218-835-4291
Cass Lake Campground Loop Open Open Back country camping. Carry in access only.
Chippewa Campground Loop Open Open
Deer Lake Campground Open Open 59829 Eagle Nest Road Deer River, MN
East Seelye Bay Campground Open Open
Joyce Estate Open Open
Lost 40 Open Open There is something about walking among this old growth Forest in the winter that makes the Lost 40 trail a favorite ungroomed hiking or snowshoe trail. Many people visit in the summer, but just a hardy few trek to the north central edge of the Forest to visit in winter. Get out there and enjoy this short beautiful trail!
Mosomo (Mooz-ah-moo) Point Campground Open Open
Noma Lake Campground Open Open Dispersed Camping - No Reservations, no fee, no water available. Vault Toilet will be open. - Address: 52681 County Road 31 Wirt, MN
North Star Campground Open Open
Norway Beach Boat Access Open Open
Norway Beach Campground Loop Open Open
Norway Beach Interpretive Trail Open Open
Norway Beach Picnic Shelter Open Open
Norway Beach Recreation Area Open Open
Norway Beach Swimming Area Open Open
Norway Beach Visitor Information Center Open Open
Onegume (ah-ni-gah-mig[k])Campground Open Open
South Pike Bay Boat Area Open Open
South Pike Bay Campground Open Open
Stony Point Campground Open Open
Wanaki Campground Loop Open Open
Webster Lake Campground Open Open No reservations needed at Webster Lake campground. Address: 13928 Webster Camp Road NE Blackduck, MN

Spotlights

Norway Beach Visitor Information Center

A brown building surrounded by trees.

This historic building is a hub of activity! Stop for information or visitors just stroll through the building enjoying the Civilian Conservation Corps construction and to admire the stone fireplace and read the "Story in Stone!" 

 Norway Beach Visitor Center
15830
Norway Beach Rd NW, Cass Lake, MN 56636

Open Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day
Tuesday - Sunday
10 - 4

North Country Trail

Segment of north country trail on the chippewa

The North Country Trail passes through the Chippewa National Forest as part of the larger North Country National Scenic Trail.  The trail travels over 4,700 miles from the Appalachian Trail in Vermont to Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota. 

Within the Chippewa National Forest, the North Country Trail meanders through 61-miles of forested lake country.  White Pine forests and rivers overlook beckon travelers along this scenic route.  Discover old homesteads hidden in the "Woodtick Fields" and enjoy the cool waters of the many backcountry lakes.  Free maps and more information are available at https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/minnesota/north-central-minnesota/

Following passage of the North Country National Scenic Trail Route Adjustment legislation, additional miles Trail will be built within the Chippewa National Forest in the future north of Grand Rapids.

North Country Trail Flyer

Norway Beach Recreation Area

photo fo migizi bike trail in the fall

The Norway Beach Recreation Area is located four miles east of Cass Lake, Minnesota on U.S. Highway 2.  The recreation area offers camping sites located in four campground loops; Norway Beach, Chippewa, Wanaki and Cass Lake.  Interpretive trails, sandy beaches, a paved biking trail, boat ramps, a reservable picnic shelter and the Norway Beach Visitor Center are all nestled among red and white pines. There are also showers.  Electric sites in the Chippewa loop only. | There is NO dump station  Area Map