Deer Lake Campground

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.

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. Pets are not allowed in beach areas.

- 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 vehicles are not permitted on Eagle Nest Road. If desiring to use OHVs, vehicle must be trailered to a road where OHV use is permitted.

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 informatio n.

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 campping, click here.