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.

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Stay at a public campground 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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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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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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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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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!

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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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Adventure Awaits

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Angora, MN

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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. *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.

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Luna Light Trails

3 sites · Tents20 acres · Makinen, MN

The leaves are starting to turn! Come walk or bike our emerald aisles! We have five miles of groomed trails that lead through state land to the Mud Hen Creek! Bring your kayak and pole! By the creek we have a few beaver lodges and so much wildlife to admire! As you trek along Silver Ridge Canyon, don't be surprised by the sudden flight of grouse along this trail! Visit Scout Hill for a sunny afternoon picnic; the cedar trees will lead you there. If you hear knocking, you will see Mr. Woodpecker enjoying his lunch on a nearby birch tree! Our campsites are nestled underneath a canopy of mixed wood forest. We have birch, poplar, maple, and a variety of pine. Nearby you will find our newly finished outhouse, complete with a portable shower and natural light. You will have access to parking near or next to your site with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy! Our property features a beautiful variety of trees and plenty of trails throughout our land with wildlife you might see or hear. It might be the hoot of an owl or the drum of a grouse! You will also hear the "buck wheat" and the "chee-chee" of our guineas calling for each other. Our beautiful forest is our main feature. Since 95% of our land is wooded, we enjoy the great beauty and majesty of the trees. See if you can find "Prince." This giant is hidden on the northeastern side of our property. His beautiful branches tower over our trails and we have cleared a spot there to rest. His lovely "Princess" is near the back of the main house. She is surrounded by strong pines that stand guard through our long cold winters. Our property extends, via trail, to state land and the Mud Hen Creek. The views are breathtaking! Please come and bring your family and friends! Our campsites' proximity would create a great weekend getaway for a retreat event or a family reunion, as well as a quiet romantic weekend! Off site: We have Long Lake public access 5.8 miles down our road. Mud Hen Lake, Half Moon Lake, Pleasant Lake, Elliot Lake (all with public access) are just a few within a 15 minute drive. We are also within an hour drive from either Duluth or Two Harbors. The Range Cities are charming and you could visit several in one day. Other wonderful things to do in this area are walking or biking the Mesabi Trail. The Redhead Mt. Bike Park is within 45 minutes. The Soudan Underground Mine will be open summer of 2024! There are many local museums, parks, and more to discover on the Iron Range! Here at home we raise chickens, ducks, and guinea fowl. We also have a Catahola Leopard dog named Hickory. She enjoys roaming our Luna Light Trails on the off season. When I was a child, I lived on a church camp property in Uruguay, South America. This plot of land had a grove of the most beautiful, tall, eucalyptus trees in the neighborhood. These trees were the home to Monk Parakeets. These small green parrots are the only members of the parrot family to build stick nests and to nest colonially. Needless to say, they were very loud, but one of my favorite childhood memories! This little plot on the Minnesota map has been our home for the last three and a half years. We have enjoyed our woods and so will you! ~ Taking reservations for summer 2024 ~

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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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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.

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.