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Cut Foot Horse Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — DEER RIVER · Minnesota · Chippewa National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Chippewa National Forest |
| Location | DEER RIVER · Minnesota · Chippewa National Forest · 47.55833, -94.06639 · Map |
| Sites | 33 public sites counted from the federal listing — 33 equestrian nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 33 sites Water hookups at 0 of 33 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 33 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 33 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 45 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 34 sites · 30 ft: 34 sites · 35 ft: 34 sites · 40 ft: 33 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $16.00 per night |
| Check-in / out | In 2:00 PM · Out 1:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 34 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 33 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 218-246-2123 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Cut Foot Sioux Horse Camp is located northeast of Lake Winnibigoshish. Over 120 miles of forest roads and recreation trails surround this scenic campground, making it a favorite location of campers with horses. The campground will be first-come, first-served for the entire 2025 season.
The Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to co-steward resources - making the Forest a great place to recreate as well as a special place where cultural and traditional resources are protected and preserved and the Band’s treaty rights are respected.
Recreation Many miles of trails pass through or begin at Cut Foot Horse Camp, leading horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers through the Cut Foot Experimental Forest. Several trails are also open to off-road vehicles. Research areas are designated by various markers. Please leave the markers as you find them.
Facilities Unique campgrounds like Cut Foot Horse require certain restrictions to maintain water quality, minimize soil erosion and lessen any impacts on vegetation. Special attention has been paid in designating the site for horse camping.
Several single-unit campsites are available, most of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Hitching racks, picket lines and manure pits are located throughout the campground. Vault toilets and a solar-powered drinking water cistern are provided.
There is no campground host on site. The campground is patrolled regularly by Forest Service personnel and Itasca County law enforcement officers.
Natural Features The campground lies within the Cut Foot Experimental Forest, managed in part by the North Central Research Station in Grand Rapids and the Chippewa National Forest. A mature stand of red pine covers the area, with oak and birch trees dotting the forest. The campground has nice shade and good privacy between sites.
Nearby Attractions Boating, swimming, and fishing are popular activities on Big and Little Cut Foot Sioux Lakes and Lake Winnibigoshish. These lakes and several others are within a few miles of the campground.
Directions, from the listing
From Deer River, travel northwest on Highway 46, to Forest Road 2171 (which is just over three miles past the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center). Continue approximately two miles on Forest Road 2171 to the campground. The campground entrance is on the west side of the road.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMosomo Point
3 mi straight-line · DEER RIVER MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceOnegume
3 mi straight-line · DEER RIVER MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceDeer Lake
4 mi straight-line · DEER RIVER MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWilliams Narrows
4 mi straight-line · DEER RIVER Minnesota
Trip Card — Cut Foot Horse Campground
DEER RIVER · Minnesota · Chippewa National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | DEER RIVER · Minnesota · Chippewa National Forest |
| Fees | $16.00 per night |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 45 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 33 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233827 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.