The best camping near Big Bog State Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Big Bog State Recreation Area adventure.

Discover Big Bog State Recreation Area's natural splendor.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Big Bog State Recreation Area

Big Bog Campground

31 sites · RVs, Tents In Big Bog State Recreation Area

from

$23

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Big Bog State Recreation Area

Booked 1 time

Bad Rabbit Resort

1 site · Lodging2 acres · Williams, MN

This home is a one bedroom with a full kitchen and bath. We have a large yard with fire ring and raised bed garden. We are conveniently located 15 minutes from Zippel Bay state park on beautiful Lake of the woods. We are also conveniently located near Beltrami Island state forest, which is over 700,000 acres for mushrooming, birdwatching, hiking, snowmobiling, or riding ATV.

Beautiful Waterfront Adventure

2 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Littlefork, MN

Set up camp on the banks of The Bigfork River, the largest tributary that feeds into Rainy River. Get ready to go kayaking or canoeing, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, exploring or just relaxing with amazing views. My wife and I purchased the property a couple of years ago and have been working to renovate the buildings onsite to bring one of the oldest homesteads in the area back to life. There is a house, a small cabin and several outbuildings onsite that are at different stages of the updating process. Some of the structures are not the prettiest, but the land and river are beautiful. The Bigfork is great for canoes and kayaks or even small fishing boats with several launches located every 5-10 miles along the river. We have great access to the water right from our property. Fishing is usually good and often fantastic with plenty of smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, musky and even huge sturgeon depending on the time of year. The river is also great for swimming as it’s fairly slow moving and not too deep . There is a great swimming hole right in front of the property. Bring water shoes or an old pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting wet as the river bottom is rocky. The property is located on a dead end road at the end of which is the entry point to Lindford Ditch Grades which is home to endless trails for offroad vehicles such as atvs and utvs. State land is across the river from the property and the vast majority of the land that the river zigzags through in the 50 miles upstream from the property is secluded state land as well with only a couple hidden cabins along the way. It’s very rare to see others on the river, just you and the company you bring along. You are likely to see abundant wildlife. The area is home to whitetail deer, pelicans, black bear, swans, numerous duck species, wolves, coyotes, beavers, porcupines, and bald eagles to name a few. The area also has other awesome destinations to visit nearby including Rainy River (15 minutes), the Littlefork River (15 minutes), Rainy Lake and International Falls (30 minutes), Big Falls (30 minutes), Voyaguers National Park (45 minutes), Lake Kabetogama (45 minutes), and Lake of the Woods (60 minutes) for day trips for hikes, sightseeing, more boating and fishing. International Falls has a hospital, a full grocery store for your needs, restaurants and a border crossing to Canada. There are two neighbors on the road who are fairly private and we appreciate campers respecting their space and maintaining the tranquility of the area. !!! Note: The address to plug into many search engines or map apps is 7656 UT94 Littlefork MN 56653, the Town Road Address brings you to the wrong location.

The best camping near Big Bog State Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

Often called Minnesota’s last true wilderness, Big Bog State Recreation Area is about as far north as you can get before you start saying “aboot.” The largest peat bog in the lower 48, it’s got sandy beaches, winterized cabins, and a mile long boardwalk perfect for taking in the native orchids and medicinal plants that sustained the Ojibwe Indians there for years. You’ll want to pack those bear bags, because Big Bog is known for its vibrant community of wildlife—frogs, turtles, bobcats, moose, and deer, to name a few. The upside to that? Nearby Upper Red Lake is chock-full of fish, making this spot perfect for amateur anglers to get in some reel time.

When to go

The best time to visit Big Bog State Recreation Area is during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall, when the trails are accessible and the wildlife is most active. Winter can be harsh, with heavy snowfall limiting access to certain areas, making it less ideal for visitors.

Know before you go

Check road conditions before your visit, as Highway 67 is permanently closed, affecting access to certain areas of the park.
Use updated GPS coordinates to navigate around the park, as some maps may still show the closed highway.
Prepare for remote conditions; cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly.
Respect the natural habitat by following Leave No Trace principles during your visit.
For any inquiries, contact the park at 651-296-6157 or email [email protected]