Deer Lake

1235 Division St., Deer River, Minnesota, United States
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A photo of facility DEER LAKE with Picnic Table, Waterfront
DEER LAKE
DEER LAKE
A photo of facility DEER LAKE with Waterfront
DEER LAKE

About Deer Lake

Deer Lake campground is located on the west shore of Cut Foot Sioux Lake, next to Lake Winnibigoshish, and is split into two separate loops. North Deer Lake campground has 17 sites; South Deer Lake has 31 campsites. A boat ramp is centrally located between the loops and provides lake access via Biauswah Creek. Visitors come to the area for boating, walleye, northern, sunfish, and crappie fishing, and beautiful scenery. The 26-mile Cut Foot Sioux National Recreation Trail runs through the Deer Lake campgrounds and is designated for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to co-steward resources - making the Forest a great place to recreate as well as a special place where cultural and traditional resources are protected and preserved and the Band’s treaty rights are respected.  

Available sites

28 total sites
RV Sites 28 sites from $16 per night

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

Year-round
Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding

Year-round
Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Sep 7 to Nov 24

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

28 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 001N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 001S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 002N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 002S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 003N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 003S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 004N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 004S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 005N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 005S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 006N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 006S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 007N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 007S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 008N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 008S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 009N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 009S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 010S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 015N, Loop: NORTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 015S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 016S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 018S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 020S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 021S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 022S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 023S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night
🚐 024S, Loop: SOUTH RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
$16
/ per night

Reviews

103 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Deer Lake campground offers a beautiful, natural setting with clean facilities and great access to the lake, making it ideal for kayaking and fishing. Many guests appreciate the wooded and spacious campsites, as well as the peaceful atmosphere, perfect for campfires and relaxation. However, some issues were noted, including a lack of campground host availability, the presence of aggressive neighbors, and maintenance concerns, such as messy sites and double bookings. Overall, many guests would recommend the campground despite these negatives.

Based on guest feedback

3.9

Overall rating

Based on 103 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 35.9% (37)
4 stars 40.8% (42)
3 stars 5.8% (6)
2 stars 11.7% (12)
1 star 5.8% (6)

Showing 103 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Susan L

Verified

June 25, 2025 Stayed at: 009N, Loop: NORTH

Our reservations for an adjoining site with family were made six months in advance . When we arrived at the campground another unit was occupying our site. We were told that the site had been double booked. Everyone we dealt with in the matter were very polite and we moved into a different site. Staff stated that they were able to confirm the site had actually been double booked and that the situation had never been seen before. If other campers run into this situation please report the issue as it is unacceptable.

Helpful

Susan L

Verified

June 25, 2025 Stayed at: 009N, Loop: NORTH

Our reservations for an adjoining site with family were made six months in advance . When we arrived at the campground another unit was occupying our site. We were told that the site had been double booked. Everyone we dealt with in the matter were very polite and we moved into a different site. Staff stated that they were able to confirm the site had actually been double booked and that the situation had never been seen before. If other campers run into this situation please report the issue as it is unacceptable.

Helpful

Michaela T

Verified

June 23, 2025 Stayed at: 020S, Loop: SOUTH

Very primitive, I loved it.

Helpful

Michaela T

Verified

June 23, 2025 Stayed at: 020S, Loop: SOUTH

Very primitive, I loved it.

Helpful

Michaela T

Verified

June 23, 2025 Stayed at: 020S, Loop: SOUTH

Very primitive, I loved it.

Helpful

Donald P

Verified

July 4, 2024 Stayed at: 004N, Loop: NORTH

The site across from us had a generator running 24 hours a day. It never shut off. No quiet time after 10:00 pm. This site also had 5 vehicles parked on it. It was not what we were expecting as we have camped at many forest service campgrounds.

Helpful

Donald P

Verified

July 4, 2024 Stayed at: 004N, Loop: NORTH

The site across from us had a generator running 24 hours a day. It never shut off. No quiet time after 10:00 pm. This site also had 5 vehicles parked on it. It was not what we were expecting as we have camped at many forest service campgrounds.

Helpful

Donald P

Verified

July 4, 2024 Stayed at: 004N, Loop: NORTH

The site across from us had a generator running 24 hours a day. It never shut off. No quiet time after 10:00 pm. This site also had 5 vehicles parked on it. It was not what we were expecting as we have camped at many forest service campgrounds.

Helpful

Jeffrey E

Verified

June 3, 2024 Stayed at: 005S, Loop: SOUTH

The reservation system for the campgrounds in general are totally ridiculous. The campgrounds are not even half full when there are people that want to camp but can’t get a spot because of the way the system is being run!!!

Helpful

Jeffrey E

Verified

June 3, 2024 Stayed at: 005S, Loop: SOUTH

The reservation system for the campgrounds in general are totally ridiculous. The campgrounds are not even half full when there are people that want to camp but can’t get a spot because of the way the system is being run!!!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Deer Lake

1235 Division St., Deer River, MN 56636 United States

Elevation: 431 ft

Getting There

Take Highway 46 northwest from Deer River, MN. Turn on Eagle Nest Road (Old CR 33) and travel 4 mi west. You will pass East Seelye and West Seelye Campgrounds. Deer Lake Campground is on the left. North Deer is first and South Deer is another half...

Nearest town

Deer River, MN - 25 mi

About 32 min to downtown

Highway access

Deer Lake Campground is accessible via Highway 46, which connects to Deer River, MN.

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

  • Reservations are required at least 4 days in advance; sites not reserved are first-come, first-serve.

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Fees & deposits

  • The fee covers one camping unit per site; double occupancy is allowed on larger sites with an additional fee.

Safety & rules

  • Generators are not allowed to run during designated quiet hours; plan for battery backup if needed.

Wildlife & food storage

  • Campers must secure food and attractants to prevent bear encounters; feeding wildlife is prohibited.

Fires & fuel

  • Firewood is not available for sale in the campground; bring local firewood or cut dead wood in the area, but do not bring firewood from outside.

General

  • Click here for more information on the Chippewa National Forest. For more information on tribal campping, click here. 

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Nearby destinations

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Pennington

18 mi away

City
Explore destination

Federal Dam

19 mi away

Day trip
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Deer River

19 mi away

City

Last updated: October 24, 2026

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Population: 889

Elevation: 1,293 ft

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