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Leech Lake Rec Area
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — FEDERAL DAM · Minnesota · Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake |
| Location | FEDERAL DAM · Minnesota · Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake · 47.24472, -94.23083 · Map |
| Sites | 78 public sites counted from the federal listing — 73 standard electric; 4 walk to; 1 group shelter electric |
| 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 74 of 78 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) Water hookups at 8 of 78 sites Sewer hookups at 8 of 78 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 8 of 78 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 138 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 73 sites · 30 ft: 72 sites · 35 ft: 72 sites · 40 ft: 71 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 | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 1:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 78 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 3 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Amenities, as reported | PlaygroundWater spigots |
| Phone | 218-654-3145 |
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 2026-07-16.
From the official listing
Overview Leech Lake Recreation Area is located in the heart of the Chippewa National Forest in Federal Dam, Minnesota on the Leech Lake River.
The area is best known for its fishing and boat access to Portage Bay on Leech Lake, a famous perch, walleye and musky fishery. Recreation Boating, canoeing and fishing are very popular activities. Anglers will find walleye, perch, bass, northern pike and musky, where every cast has the potential to yield a trophy.
Miles of scenic hiking trails meander around Leech Lake, including the Soo Line, Heartland and North Country National Scenic Trails. Facilities This campground offers 73 wooded sites with electric hookups, including eight sites with full hookups. Additionally, there are four primitive walk-to tent sites. A group day-use picnic shelter with electric is available, as well as two mini-picnic shelters.
Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities, a dump station, boat ramps and overnight boat mooring.
Campers enjoy the park's basketball, volleyball, badminton and shuffleboard courts, as well as the horseshoe pits. Younger campers love the playground areas.
Natural Features Leech Lake has 316 miles of shoreline and encompasses 14 natural lakes. A mixed forest of elm, ash, maple, basswood, birch, aspen and pine covers the area.
Wildlife is abundant around the lake, where campers commonly hear the tell-tale call of loons out on the water. Charges & Cancellations Customers may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. If a customer wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee.
Directions, from the listing
From Grand Rapids, Minnesota, take Highway 2 west for 33 miles to Bena. Turn south onto County Road 8 and proceed 8 miles to Federal Dam.
From Bemidji, Minnesota, take Highway 2 east for 35 miles to Bena, Turn south onto County Road 8 and proceed 8 miles to Federal Dam.
From Walker, Minnesota, take Highway 200 east for 20 miles to County Road 8. Turn north onto County Road 8 and proceed 14 miles to Federal Dam.
LEECH LAKE REC AREA 01217 FEDERAL DAM DR. NE FEDERAL DAM MN 56641
Nearest federal campgrounds
13 mi straight-line · Walker MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceWinnie Campground - USFS
13 mi straight-line · Blackduck MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceTamarack Point Campground
15 mi straight-line · MinnesotaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersWinnie Dam Campground - USACE
15 mi straight-line · Deer River MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMabel Lake
15 mi straight-line · Minnesota
Trip Card — Leech Lake Rec Area
FEDERAL DAM · Minnesota · Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | FEDERAL DAM · Minnesota · Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | Electric at 74 · full hookups at 8 |
| Max RV | Up to 138 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 78 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233535 · 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.