About Deer Lake
Number of accommodations: 28
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Mountain Biking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
28 Sites Available
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Site Details
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28 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (96)
What Guests Are Saying
Deer Lake offers a clean and picturesque camping experience right by the water, with many guests appreciating the peaceful atmosphere and fishing opportunities. However, issues with the camp host's responsiveness to disturbances and site maintenance have been noted, including a double booking incident and unkempt conditions following a storm. Overall, while the location is enjoyed, improvements in management and site upkeep are needed.
What Guests Are Saying
Deer Lake offers a clean and picturesque camping experience right by the water, with many guests appreciating the peaceful atmosphere and fishing opportunities. However, issues with the camp host's responsiveness to disturbances and site maintenance have been noted, including a double booking incident and unkempt conditions following a storm. Overall, while the location is enjoyed, improvements in management and site upkeep are needed.
Review Summary
Jonathan W
VerifiedJuly 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 023S, Loop: SOUTH
First review of a NF campground. Felt it's time since I've been traveling to different NF this year. Deer lake camping was very nice for me. It's tucked away 20 miles out of Deer River Wisconsin among the many lakes and trees. The dirt road leading to it has a couple other NF campgrounds, but Deer Lake south is the last on the dead end road. So not much traffic to be heard. The campground had decent cell service (Verizon) so for those who have to check in with the family will be fine. My only complaint would be the use of generators. Guess there's more fisherman than true campers. Lol.
Jon
Terry G
VerifiedJune 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 024S, Loop: SOUTH
The campsite I was in had a mixture of sun and shade. The lake was beautiful and not very crowded with excellent fishing for walleyes and northern pike. The camp host did not have firewood for sale so pick some up locally before you head out.
Terry G
VerifiedJune 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 024S, Loop: SOUTH
The campsite I was in had a mixture of sun and shade. The lake was beautiful and not very crowded with excellent fishing for walleyes and northern pike. The camp host did not have firewood for sale so pick some up locally before you head out.
Terry G
VerifiedJune 27, 2021 • Stayed at: 024S, Loop: SOUTH
The campsite I was in had a mixture of sun and shade. The lake was beautiful and not very crowded with excellent fishing for walleyes and northern pike. The camp host did not have firewood for sale so pick some up locally before you head out.
Lorraine C
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 023S, Loop: SOUTH
We had a few days between Apostle Islands, WI and Medora, ND. I found Deer Lake using the National Forest website. I made last minute reservations for Deer lake on Recreation.gov. It was super simple. We have a 40 foot rig, hauling a Wrangler. We easily traversed the 4 mile dirt/gravel road from route 46 to Deer Lake. Our campsite was wooded, flat and had a nice fire ring. We enjoyed riding bikes for miles! The beach was fun, fishing was peaceful and my hubby enjoyed hours of metal detecting. I would go back again.
Lorraine C
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 023S, Loop: SOUTH
We had a few days between Apostle Islands, WI and Medora, ND. I found Deer Lake using the National Forest website. I made last minute reservations for Deer lake on Recreation.gov. It was super simple. We have a 40 foot rig, hauling a Wrangler. We easily traversed the 4 mile dirt/gravel road from route 46 to Deer Lake. Our campsite was wooded, flat and had a nice fire ring. We enjoyed riding bikes for miles! The beach was fun, fishing was peaceful and my hubby enjoyed hours of metal detecting. I would go back again.
Lorraine C
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 023S, Loop: SOUTH
We had a few days between Apostle Islands, WI and Medora, ND. I found Deer Lake using the National Forest website. I made last minute reservations for Deer lake on Recreation.gov. It was super simple. We have a 40 foot rig, hauling a Wrangler. We easily traversed the 4 mile dirt/gravel road from route 46 to Deer Lake. Our campsite was wooded, flat and had a nice fire ring. We enjoyed riding bikes for miles! The beach was fun, fishing was peaceful and my hubby enjoyed hours of metal detecting. I would go back again.
sandy b
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 007S, Loop: SOUTH
Love it! Very clean bathrooms!
sandy b
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 007S, Loop: SOUTH
Love it! Very clean bathrooms!
sandy b
VerifiedAugust 12, 2020 • Stayed at: 007S, Loop: SOUTH
Love it! Very clean bathrooms!
Location Deer Lake
Address:
1235 Division St.
Deer River, MN, 56636
United States
Take Highway 46 northwest from Deer River, MN. Turn on Eagle Nest Road (Old CR 33) and travel 4 miles 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-mile down the road.
Deer Lake Campground is accessible via Highway 46, which connects to Deer River, MN.
Latitude & Longitude: 47.5142 / -94.1058
Elevation: 431 feet
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 3, 2026
