The best camping near Kabetogama State Forest

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

100% (3 reviews)
100% (3 reviews)

Discover Kabetogama State Forest's natural beauty and outdoor activities.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Kabetogama State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Kabetogama State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Kabetogama State Forest

63%
(4)

Rat Root River Retreat

1 site · Tent100 acres · Kabetogama, MN
The beautiful forest has been in our family for 90 years.  My great grandfather farmed the land and raised 10 children on this land.  He also worked in the pulp and paper mills in nearby International Falls.  The original house is still there which is my grandfather's son and host of the property.  A short distance down the road, my grandfather's brother had a farm and raised 13 children.  Seeing the so many stars, witnessing the Northern lights, seeing wildlife in their natural habitat has provided joy to so many descendants that lived and visited this beautiful place.  Our family would like to share the peace and tranquility that one feels when being a part of nature as our family has experienced for so many years. Learn more about this land:Breath the fresh air of one of the beautiful forests of Northern Minnesota. Examine wildlife, backpack 3 miles to breathtaking Lake Kabetogama or north into wild Canada.  Pitch your tent anywhere to relax and get away from it all.  Perfect for deer hunters, fishing, backpacking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing.  Get off the grid to life with nature, view wildlife and experience the northern lights.  
Pets
Potable water
from 
$20
 / night
100%
(6)

Heitke Acres and Camping

3 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Leonidas, MN
We live on a beautiful 80 acre parcel of land in the Mesabi Iron Range. Our property is a mix of field, forest, swamp, and creek. We also have a beaver pond where numerous beavers, otters, and other animals have been seen. We regularly see wildlife from our window as well. Our property really is a great central location for multiple outdoor activities such as mountain biking, cross country skiing, downhill skiiing, snowshoeing, fishing, off roading, swimming beaches, and the Mesabi Trail. We are only 5 minutes south of Eveleth and about 10-15 minutes south of Virginia. If you want to have a day trip to Duluth, it is just under an hour! We have free range chickens, so you may hear a morning greeting from our rooster! Feel free to bring chicken treats for your kids and they can feed them all day long. If you camp in the spring, there is a good chance you might be able to cuddle some chicks. This spring we even had a couple of goslings! Come in June and you will be able to pick beautiful wildflower bouquets of buttercups, daisies, iris, and more! If you come in the middle of the summer, plan on bringing some berry buckets with you. You can pick wild raspberries and blueberries throughout the property. Wild raspberries are small, but packed with flavor. If you are really lucky, you might find a little patch of wild strawberries! Our woods are an excellent place to forage for wild, edible, plants and mushrooms. We have found numerous varieties of each on our property. If you are brave enough to camp during a Minnesota winter there is a good chance one of us will be around to take you on our snowshoe trails throughout the property. Last year we were able to pack 3 miles of trail and enjoyed hosting several friends and family out for a 'shoe and hot chocolate. We are close to many lakes and the St Louis River. We have ample room for you to park your boats, rec. vehicles and etc! Our little pocket of the Iron Range is paradise and we love to share it with others. We hope to see you soon!
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
$25
 / night
94%
(51)

Marko's grampa's cabin.

1 site · Lodging4 acres · Babbitt, MN
Our family has lived here on this property since Great Grandma Alma bought it in 1928. I am the fourth, raising the fifth generation of Carlson's living here. The log cabin was built by my grandfather, Oliver, in the 1950's and he lived there full time after he retired. The cabin is set apart from the two other homes on the property which is where our family lives full time. Birch Lake is over 6500 acres and stretches for 16 miles from our home to where HWY 1 passes over it. Most of the shoreline is federal and state land giving the lake a wild/undeveloped feel compared to more developed lakes in the area. It's known for producing walleye, northern pike, and crappie as well as other species of fish. SUMMER OF 2024 Update: The cabin will be under construction/improvement for this season. What this means is that only the main room will be available. We will be dismantling the back bedroom and old kitchen. This will impact your stay in terms of visible structural work to the cabin taking place but will not affect the main room or it's amenities. I will not be working on the cabin during any guest stays and will make sure the site is safe and clean for your stay with minimal indication work is going on. I'll make sure the main room of the cabin is clean and ready for your stay but the back bedroom will no longer be useable. The main room will still be bug free, dry, and have electricity. The grey couch is suitable for 1-2 people to sleep on, the beige couch pulls out a full/queen, and there is a cot for another. You may bring your own cot/sleeping pad or pitch a tent in the spacious and grassy lawn. Also note there is a new outhouse (the green one in pics). The old one is still pictured (hipcamp doesn't have a delete option) but not in use. Trust me, the new one is better. There is a small (12 foot) aluminum row boat and a pedalboat available for guests to use. What we provide: One room log cabin with guest only private beach. Electricity, outhouse, small kitchenette with limited utensils, fridge, small gas grille, microwave, toaster oven, hotplate, electric tea kettle, clean fitted sheets, and cot. What you'll need to bring: Sleeping bags/blankets, potable water or water treatment system, green propane cannister if you'd like to use the grille, charcoal if you'd like to use the larger grille, tp, etc. Please ask for more specifics. Can usually and am happy to accommodate.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$90
 / night

The best camping near Kabetogama State Forest guide

Overview

About

The Canoe is the ultimate boat to have in Kabetogama State Forest, which features the 25,000-acre Kabetogama Lake. Over 200 islands are scattered throughout the lake, making for one amazing island-hopping adventure! People often explore the waters by canoe for days, camping on different islands as they go.

This is a year-round forest, which undergoes a beautiful transformation when the temperatures begin to drop. The lake freezes over and ice fishers come out to play, along with snowmobilers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers. So, go have some fun, whatever the season!

Notable campgrounds

  • Walter Stark Horse Campground - A serene spot for equestrian lovers to camp and connect with nature.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your preferred campsite, especially during peak seasons.
  • Check for cancellations regularly as plans change and spots may open up.
  • Consider visiting during weekdays for better availability.
  • Explore nearby camping options for alternative accommodations.

When to go

The best time to visit Kabetogama State Forest is during the summer and fall when the weather is ideal for outdoor activities. Winter offers a snowy wonderland for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though some amenities may be limited.

Know before you go

  • Check the latest park updates for any road or campsite improvements before your trip.
  • Be prepared for encounters with local wildlife by reviewing safety guidelines.
  • Accessibility may vary across different areas of the forest; inquire ahead for specific needs.
  • Remember to pack essentials as some amenities may not be available during construction.
  • Respect park regulations to preserve the natural habitat for future visitors.
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