The best camping near George Washington State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next George Washington State Forest adventure.

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Discover George Washington State Forest's natural splendor and outdoor activities.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near George Washington State Forest

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in George Washington State Forest

Button Box Lake Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In George Washington State Forest

Stony Brook Horse Campground

17 sites In George Washington State Forest

Thistledew Campground

23 sites · RVs, Tents In George Washington State Forest

Togo Horse Campground

12 sites In George Washington State Forest

Bear Lake Campground

54 sites · RVs, Tents In George Washington State Forest

Lost Lake Campground

15 sites · RVs, Tents In George Washington State Forest

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Owen Lake Campground

20 sites · RVs, Tents In George Washington State Forest

Larson Lake Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents In George Washington State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near George Washington State Forest

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16 Squared Cabin

2 sites · Lodging160 acres · Nett Lake, MN

Learn more about this land:"Glamp" on 160 acres of private property surrounded by pine forest, a field, and a pond. There are several miles of trails on the property that are perfect for hiking, biking, four wheeling and horseback riding! The trails also connect to several hundred miles of trail systems in the surrounding area. The cabin can be heated by the wood stove during the winter months, so it is a great place to stay for snowmobiling! Inside the cabin there are a wood stove, 2 sets of bunkbeds, a table and chairs, and a counter top with cupboards. Outside, there is an outhouse and a campfire area with a picnic table.

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Cabin O' Pines

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Orr, MN

Northern Minnesota Family Fishing Resort Enjoy all the best of Northern Minnesota at Cabin O Pines. Wake up every morning to hear the sounds of local wildlife, and sit down every night to warm up by the campfire. While staying at Cabin O’ Pines, enjoy fun beach activities, or rent one of our Cabin O’ Pines marine rentals and get out on the lake. Whatever the occasion, you are sure to have a memorable Northern Minnesota experience.

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Tamarack Ponds

3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Deer River, MN

Welcome to Tamarack Ponds Camping, your gateway to the pristine beauty of Itasca County, Minnesota. Nestled on 40 acres of private land adorned with ancient cedar, ash, and black spruce trees, our campground offers a serene nature retreat. Immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance, where the melodies of wildlife fill the air, creating a symphony of natural sounds. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, we have you covered with carefully curated camping spots. Two tenting spots equipped with fire pits and cooking grates provide the perfect setting for a cozy evening under the stars. For RV enthusiasts, we offer 1-2 spacious spots complete with 20, 30, and 50-amp electric hookups, a movable fire pit, ensuring a comfortable stay amid the wilderness. Situated between the charming towns of Cohasset and Deer River, and just minutes from the bustling hub of Grand Rapids, our private property campground offers easy access to a wealth of outdoor adventures. Explore world-class fishing lakes, traverse ATV trails, or embark on scenic hikes through lush forests—there's something for every outdoor enthusiast to enjoy. Fishermen and women are welcome to park here as their base camp, RV style fish houses are welcome. Firewood will be provided. mostly pine, and popular. *FYI, this private property has a cabin and outbuildings on it, and the owner may be there while you stay. At Tamarack Ponds Camping, we invite you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reconnect with the natural world. Join us for an unforgettable camping experience in the heart of Itasca County. * Special discount for First responders * ***NOTE..... JANUARY AND FEBRUARY ARE WINTER MONTHS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA. I WILL HOST WINTER CAMPERS, BUT SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE MADE, FOR SNOW REMOVAL, AND ACCESS TO CAMP SPOTS*** THANKS, JOHN.

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Two Rivers RV and Campground

2 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · La Prairie, MN

Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in nature with your family at Two Rivers RV & Campground! Our Campground is located on over 50 acres at the confluence of the Mississippi and Prairie Rivers. A forest of mixed hardwoods and conifers cover the area, housing an abundance of wildlife including deer, bald eagles, porcupines, rabbits, chipmunks and many others. Wild blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries grow seasonally on the forest floor. The tall bluff along the river allows beautiful views of the river. The river has abundant fishing, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities. The Prairie River and Mississippi River offer great opportunities for boating and fishing. Anglers will find Walleye, Northern Pike, Catfish, Large and Small mouth Bass among other species. Birders enjoy viewing Bald Eagles, Hawks, Ducks, Geese and many other species from the trails of the park.

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Iron Range Growers LLC

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Cook, MN

This charming hay field, next to the woods, offers a perfect spot for primitive camping. Placed off quiet gravel road. No sirens or crazy highway or train noise up here. located 15 minutes from Lake Vermilion and 5 minutes to Cook MN. Cook has bait, tackle, gas, grocery store, liquor store. The lush grass and wildflowers provide ample space for tents, while towering trees add dappled shade. Enjoy the tranquility, with the rustling leaves and birdsong enhancing the serene ambiance. This rustic retreat promises an unforgettable outdoor experience.

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Kingfisher's Bend

5 sites · RVs, Tents58 acres · Zim, MN

The beautiful Kingfisher's Bend is a blend of mixed mature timber, young trees and open meadow surrounded on three sides by the St. Louis River with 5 campsites. Sites 1-4 are tent or camper friendly while site 5 is tucked away and only tent ready. All sites are a 2-5 minute walk from the St. Louis River and a 2 minute walk from the new outhouse and water hose. A short ride from the Sax Zim Bog. Bring your camera, binoculars, fishing gear, canoe, kayak or river tube and enjoy a quiet float on the river, bird watching or fish the many fishing holes. Walleye, Northern Pike, Small mouth Bass and occasional trout and other species inhabit these waters. Hike the river's edge and relax along the bluffs. Enjoy dark skies for nighttime stargazing. Bring your family, your tick protected dog and your bug and tick spray! You will be camping near the woods so you will encounter the local flying and crawling bugs.

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Camp Spooky

1 site · RV, Tent2 acres · Iron Junction, MN

Morcom Lake boat landing. Dinham Lake boat landing. Young Lake Public Water Access. Riverview Cemetery. Continue down Cemetery Rd. "west" Nice hike from camp, about a half mile. Melrude Whistle Stop bar and grill. Melrude Town Hall. Valhalla Park

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Blue Pony Acres

3 sites · Tents6 acres · Eveleth, MN

Welcome to Blue Pony Acres. Thirty eight years ago we bought the remaining acreage and buildings from a northern Minnesota dairy farm. We have always enjoyed sharing our beautiful piece of the planet with friends. We want to share the beauty we experience every day with you. Leave your cubicle and the city life for a short respite in the north woods and enjoy one of our campsites. Bring your kids, your dog, camera, canoe, kayaks, and bikes. Pitch a tent or swing a hammock in the pines. Enjoy your private campfire while you hear the stars sing, watch the northern lights dance and count the shooting stars. On a clear night you might see satellites pass overhead. Lay your sleeping bag on the ground, snuggle in with hot chocolate and smores and watch the night light show in comfort. After a long day of hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing or photography cook over your private campfire. The firewood is free! Exercise and walk your leashed dog in the state land adjacent to your campsite. A private composting toilet is available at each campsite (we do not have vault toilets), We are 3.5 hours north of Minneapolis, MN., and one hour north of Duluth, MN. The Saint Louis River carry in landing is only 3.2 miles from your site. A 5 mile drive gets you to the Mesabi Trial, over 160 miles of paved hiking and biking trail stretching from the Mississippi River on the west almost to the boundary waters and Ely, MN on the east. Local lakes within a few minute drive have public landings for boat launch and canoe carry in for your boating and fishing enjoyment. The famous Sax-Zim Bog is within a half hour drive and a great place for wildlife photography, and they have an interpretive center and very nice volunteers to help you identify wildlife. We’re about 5 miles south of the United Sates Hockey Hall of Fame; a great day trip for you and your sports minded children. A few miles further and you’re outside the doors of the Natural Harvest Food Co-op; a great shop for organic foods. Get local fresh food for your evening meal. Sneak into Lisa’s raspberry patch for “desert” or pick some hopps from the back fence in September and take them with you for your next home beer batch. I’m told they’re “Cascade Hopps”. They have a grapefruit taste. Mmm good! We invite you to join us. Bring your camping gear, including camp cook stove (sometimes we’re under a fire ban). Ask your dog to bring it’s leash, yes we have a leash law. Warm clothes and light clothing as the weather changes. Rain gear. Your favorite bug repellent. Good hiking boots. Don’t forget bikes, canoes, kayaks, cameras, fishing gear, and maybe some band aids. Come to unplug and unwind and enjoy the clean air and sweet smell of the north woods. Come on up North! Come on up North!

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Adventure Awaits

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Angora, MN

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Cook's Country Connection

5 sites · RVs, Tents120 acres · Cook, MN

This land was homesteaded by my great grandparents in 1900 as part of the Homestead Act of 1862. After losing my store to fire in 2013, I took the leap, and decided to open the farm to the public. I have a menagerie of animals, many rescued or adopted, that love all the attention. My friends' kids love camping in the pasture with the animals and when I saw an ad for Hipcamp, I thought maybe others would want the experience, too!Learn more about this land:Yoga with goats meets camping with alpacas! We offer camping in the small animal pasture of our family petting farm. (We also offer campsites away from the critters if your not too sure about sharing your space with livestock!). The options are limitless!

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Wildlife Orchard

4 sites · RVs, Tents32 acres · Grand Rapids, MN

Come stay at our peaceful farm in the forest! We are passionate about the natural world and cultivating our own food. Our farm is focused on a diversity of crops and animals while maintaining the beautiful wild setting we live in. We want to share the knowledge we are gaining as well as welcome interested people to experience the beauty of Northern Minnesota's woods, wilderness, and waters. Come to explore, relax, have fun, and recharge in a quiet natural setting. Learn more about this land: Rural old growth forest campsite connected to 7,287 acre state forest with hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing trails. Small diverse farm to visit- chickens, sheep and bees. Orchards and gardens with countless flowers, fruit trees and bushes, and vegetables. Greenhouse to tour. Beach 5 miles away- large beautiful lake for swimming. 6 person sauna, outhouse, fire pit, and walking trails on property.

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Hoodoo Valley Farm

3 sites · RVs98 acres · Tower, MN

Our farm was originally a homestead at the turn of the last century. We purchased 65 acres of the property with its original house completed in 1905. Later we purchased an additional 33 acres from the grandchildren of the original owners. We have lived here since 1984 and are raising the youngest of 12 adopted children. We also raise Shetland Sheep, chickens, guinea fowl, ducks and grow an acre garden. Our land is very diverse, borders a river and is bisected by a spring fed stream. We are two miles from a town of 500. We have several options for tent campers with varying degrees of isolation from our family life. If you have an rv and want to plug in, you will be close to our house or sauna and in the midst of our family life which includes children, grandchildren, dogs and cats. We are a farm, so there are farm animals in pens and pastures. Our plug ins include an adaptor but we do not have a dedicated 30 amp hook up, a permanent water hook up or a dump station. The plug ins available will run your air conditioner without a problem or a microwave, but not both at the same time. There is a hose available to fill your tank. If our sauna is hot you are welcome to take a sauna after our family bathes. The sauna is not lit every night and takes several hours to heat. Because of Covid 19 we do not allow campers in our house to use our kitchen or shower.Learn more about this land:We have 100 acres. A small part of it is a sustainable organic farm and 65 acres is wild land with great diversity. We have both a river and a creek that run through our land, a cedar swamp, giant white and Norway pine, a beaver dam, 2 miles of cross country running trails, a traditional Ojibwe longhouse, two meadows, a spring fed pond and miles of public trails bordering our property. We live 4 miles from Lake Vermilion State Park and 3 miles from a public beach on the same lake. An old railroad grade bisects our property and is a good hiking and mountain bike trail.

The best camping near George Washington State Forest guide

Overview

About

Hmm, wonder who this park was named after? Oh yeah, that guy with the wooden teeth, right? There are enough trees at George Washington State Forest to fabricate millions of authentic presidential wooden dentures. Tucked away amidst all those trees are a grand total of eight campgrounds! So, you’ll have no problem finding a nice place to hang out for the weekend while you log some serious time exploring the forest, fishing in one of the many lakes, or whittling a pair of dentures for grandma.

When to go

The prime time to visit George Washington State Forest is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and the forest is full of life. Conversely, the winter season can be challenging due to heavy snowfall, making some areas less accessible and outdoor activities more limited.

Know before you go

Check the latest park updates for any road or campsite improvements that may affect your visit.
Remember to call ahead or check online for campsite availability and reservation details.
Ensure you're prepared for the wilderness with appropriate gear and knowledge of the area.
Be mindful of local wildlife and practice safe viewing habits.
Take advantage of the forest's diverse recreational offerings, from hiking to horseback riding.