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Kabetogama State Forest

The best camping in Kabetogama State Forest, MN

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

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Stories from the community

Mitch

3 weeks ago

With pets

Weekend Trip to 16 Squared Cabin

This is a fantastic place to stay. The host is wonderful and the location is incredible. We enjoyed the trails and keeping warm by the log cabin. Our dogs also had a blast. We would definitely come back.

Molly

November 2025

With pets

3 nights at 16 Squared Cabin

This was everything I had hoped for. Private. Spacious. Beautiful. Amanda was attentive to our needs, even bringing us a first aid-kit an hour after arriving 🤣🤣 I selfishly dont want to leave a good review because i dont want it to be busy next time I want to go 🤣 10/10 recommend.

Ashley

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to 16 Squared Cabin

Loved how secluded this cabin was! Was a great opportunity to unplug. The cabin also had a beautiful view!

Jesse

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to 16 Squared Cabin

I had a great time here. The cabin is rustic and cozy. Beautiful country.

Blake

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp 84

Site 3 at the end was a great small campsite to stay at while mountain biking Redhead for the weekend! Nice fire ring and clean porta potty

Darrin

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Adventure Awaits

Beautiful place to get away from the daily grind and do some star gazing and watch the meteors streak across the night skies. I'll definitely make the return trek. We'll worthbthen9 hour drive.

Isaac

September 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Silver Rapids Lodge

Great spot right off the road. Traffic calms down at night and the bar is a great spot to hang out. I will definitely be back if I’m ever in the area again.

Allen

September 2025

20 ft travel trailer

1 night at Silver Rapids Lodge

Very quiet spot to put our 17’ camper. Beautiful setting. Would definitely camp there again if we have the opportunity.

Margie

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to 16 Squared Cabin

Really beautiful place, tucked away in the woods. An open sky unmarred by lights, it's truly breathtaking

Joshua

September 2025

With pets

3 nights at Cabin O' Pines

Cabin O’ Pines was amazing. The cabin and camp ground was very clean. The owners were around if we needed anything. 40 ish minutes to Voyageurs NP.

Cat

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cabin O' Pines

We loved our stay here! The folks at the office were so helpful and friendly, the site was clean and well maintained, and being able to take out a kayak or canoe onto the lake at any time was a wonderful feature. We stayed at a tent site, which was very conveniently located by the bathroom/showers. Cabin o’ Pines was a wonderful place to stay while exploring northern Minnesota and Voyageurs national park. We were even able to watch the northern lights from the lake! I would absolutely stay here again in the future.

Timothy

August 2025

17 ft pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Cook's Country Connection

Loved the visit from the goats. Clean bathroom. We had a great stay.

Carrie

August 2025

19 ft travel trailer

4 nights at Cabin O' Pines

I found a perfect week of camping, solitude and fun resort options at Cabin O' Pines resort. I stayed in campsite #2, which had ample space for an evening campfire and a great view of the lake. The resort itself was very nice, clean, and the owners and staff were very friendly and helpful. Having a small store on site with a few groceries so I didn't even need to go to town was great! Kayaking from the sandy beach area on a lovely, sunny afternoon was perfect. Sunsets from the docks were beautiful! Very pet friendly.

Adelle

August 2025

22 ft campervan

5 nights at Silver Rapids Lodge

All sites were lakeside which I really enjoyed! Right across the street was the Lodge/Restaurant which served lunch and dinner and had regularly scheduled live music.

Kaitlin

August 2025

Weekend Trip to 16 Squared Cabin

This little cabin was easy to find and felt incredibly peaceful. The flowers out there were beautiful! Make sure you bring your bug spray if you want to enjoy the picnic table but would recommend this place to anybody passing through.

Picnic table, fire ring w/ firewood, and a couple chairs to relax in.

Crystal

August 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Cook's Country Connection

We loved our camping experience on Lois's Farm. The children loved seeing the goats visit us from the petting zoo. We were there all weekend and not once did the kids say they were bored. We love camping here!

Kathy

August 2025

1 night at Cook's Country Connection

The grainery loft is incredibly cozy and picturesque! Very comfortable bed and furniture. Kitchen things like good drinking water, microwave, fridge but must go outside for outhouse or to discard water. The petting farm itself is the most fascinating thing I’ve done in years!! The setup is amazing.

Stephanie

August 2025

3 nights at Lake View Lodge

This is a quiet resort with a variety of cabin sizes. Our cozy cabin had all the amenities of home. Yes, each cabin includes the pontoon rental, so you could come and go as you please. The pontoons did not have a huge motor, but neither was the lake. Perfect for fishing and day cruising around the lake. Loved this option since we do not own a boat. We had a great time. Cabin 3 had a full-sized bedroom with an additional futon in the living space.

Josh

August 2025

Tent

With kids

4 nights at Cabin O' Pines

Great place to spend some RnR at. All of the staff we encountered were very welcoming and accommodating.

Megan

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Cabin O' Pines

This campsite was a great find! Right next to the swimming beach and close to the docks. Our site had its own campfire and picnic table with a beautiful lake view. The free amenities were awesome including water toys, yard games, and sauna. The bathroom was clean and the staff were very friendly. We will be back!

Top public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Kabetogama State Forest

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Ash River Campground

20mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kabetogama State Forest

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(1)

Woodenfrog Campground

31mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 59 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kabetogama State Forest

Hinsdale Island Campsites

18mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 11 sites · in Kabetogama State Forest

Wakemup Bay Campground

16mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Kabetogama State Forest

Top-rated campgrounds

16 Squared Cabin

98%

(104)

27mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 2 sites · Lodging · 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.

Cabin O' Pines

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(15)

13mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 20 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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.

Silver Rapids Lodge

84%

(16)

45mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 21 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Ely, MN

Located just 4 miles outside of Ely (on the edge of the Boundary Waters), Silver Rapids Lodge is located on a vast private peninsula with water on three sides, allowing for some of the best fishing around! We have electric/water sites, and full hookup sites available. Tent and van camping is fine by us. Bring your boat...bring your canoe! Heading in the boundary waters? We've got parking packages, too.

Timber Trail Lodge and Resort

46mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 45 sites · RVs, Lodging · Ely, MN

Timber Trail Lodge stands out as a premier four-season family resort in Ely, Minnesota, thanks to its unique combination of modern accommodations and direct access to the stunning Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA). This makes it an ideal destination for families looking to blend relaxation with outdoor adventures, including fishing and canoeing. Nestled just seven miles from the charming town of Ely, Timber Trail Lodge is situated on the picturesque south shore of Farm Lake. This lake is part of a network of four interconnected lakes, providing guests with both motorized boating and serene canoeing opportunities. Surrounded by over one million acres of pristine wilderness, the lodge offers an unparalleled escape into nature. Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, from exploring scenic hiking trails to discovering hidden swimming holes. The nearby town of Ely features delightful restaurants and shops, ensuring that visitors have access to local cuisine and unique souvenirs. Whether you're seeking adventure or tranquility, Timber Trail Lodge is the perfect base for your Minnesota resort vacation.

Cook's Country Connection

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(171)

18mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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!

Iron Range Growers LLC

100%

(2)

19mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · 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.

The Lodge of Whispering Pines

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(1)

32mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 11 sites · RVs · Ely, MN

Lodge of Whispering Pines There’s no summer memory better than those spent at the Lake. We still have beautiful Lakefront Cabins available at Lodge of Whispering Pines this summer, just waiting for you and your family to create unforgettable memories. Before you witness spectacular sunsets and views of Big Lake from your Lakefront cabin, you’ll be treated to a secluded drive through the Superior National Forest along the Echo Trail - Along granite cliff roadways that hug the edge of wilderness landscapes to you - you'll experience an awakening to your natural surroundings and an enlightening of your spirit. The noise, the crowds are left behind, and traffic seems nonexistent. Your vacation has already begun. Just twenty miles north of Ely a secluded private drive leads you further into the Superior National Forest to Lodge of Whispering Pines on Big Lake. Poised among tall pine, picturesque birch, spruce, balsam, and aspen, you realize you are encircled by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and are now guests of the deer, moose, black bear, timber wolves, loons, and all the other wild creatures that inhabit northern Minnesota's truly natural park. This beautiful piece of earth hides a great deal of history in it's cabins, campsites, trails and what not. If you really want to find out about all the unbelievable stories, sit back in your Adirondack chair and listen to the whispers of the Pine trees. You will be surprised how much they can tell you! Our entire family (which includes moose, deer, timber wolves, bald eagles, black bears and other wild creatures) welcomes you to our paddler's and angler's paradise. This will be one of your most-memorable vacations: swim at our natural sand beach; participate in naturalist activities and children’s programs. Enjoy free use of the Adirondack chairs along the lake front, kayaks, canoes, even a traditional wood-fired Sauna. Leave the noise and the crowds behind. Big Lake, Clean Lake, Fun Lake, No Really--it's called Big Lake Our property is surrounded by the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness). Enjoy activities like hiking, Biking & Stand up paddle boarding, Fishing and wildlife viewing. The photography during Fall is amazing!Big Lake is 2000 acre and has numerous large islands and secluded bays - the shoreline has been virtually undeveloped. It is one of the top walleye fishing lakes in the state. Besides that Big Lake is filled with Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Jumbo Perch. If you are planning on visiting another lake while staying with us, we have good news for you. We are near Hegman Lake where centuries-old pictographs can be viewed and photographed. Check it out yourself and make new fantastic memories. Our Resort Privacy and comfort complement the natural beauty of the cabins. Whether you choose to be tucked away in the trees or nearer the natural sand swimming beach and playground, with the exception of towels, everything is included -- modern kitchen appliances, barbecue grills, picnic tables, and more. Each cabin is unique in amenities. Some feature decks in private wooded areas, screen porches, private docks, log construction, or fireplaces. Cabins range from one to three bedrooms (sleeping 3-10 people). All have full kitchens and baths, Charcoal Grills, Picnic tables, outdoor fire rings. and Minnesota's truly natural park. Moose, deer and other wild animals inhabit the trails and forests where earlier innkeepers corralled a stable of horses for their guests' riding pleasure. Unique to Big Lake, and its relationship to the wilderness, motorized boats and canoes are both allowed and available for our guests to use.

Adventure Awaits

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(8)

27mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Angora, MN

Clintonville

49mi from Kabetogama State Forest · 1 site · Tent, RV · Iron, MN

Owned and operated by JCA Environmental Group. North Central of the Sax-Zim Bog. And just South of the Iron Range. This site has space for large RV's and Camper Trailers as well as many places for tents. It is 200 feet off of a gravel road in a farming area. Pack a lot of stuff because like Robinson Crusoe its as primitive as can be. It is flat with some open spaces but manly trees.

The best camping in Kabetogama State Forest, MN 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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3 ratings · 0 reviews