Chippewa National Forest, Blackduck MN
In a previous post, I talked about how when I am on a camping trip, I am always searching for the next spot to pitch my tent, and Webster Lake Campground is a direct result of exploring the backroads of Minnesota. I spent a few days at Lake Bemidji State Park on a gorgeous weekend; I arose early to the birds and a sunrise, brewed up some Youngblood Coffee and took off for a hike amped-up from the coffee high. When I returned to my site, I was amazed at the number of daytrippers streaming into the park; it was the Black Friday of people rushing into the park. Unfortunately, my campsite this weekend was too close to the parking lot, so all the hustle and bustle was in earshot. Not very relaxing; I screwed up and booked the wrong site. I exited quickly to explore the Chippewa National Forest for the day.
Webster Lake Campground is hidden away, due south and east of Blackduck, if you are following County Road 39. It's not directly off the road; you must follow the signs down a few forest roads. Webster Lake is a rustic campground with 15 sites; they have a pump well for water and pit toilets throughout. The lake is smaller and very picturesque, perfect for paddling. The beach is unkept but sandy, and a number of the campsites are located right on the lake. Although I knew I would return when I first scouted this location, I did not think it would be the following weekend; this spot excited me. So that next week I took off early from work and hit the road for a great weekend of peace, quiet, and some fantastic meals.
I camped at site 9, absolutely a brilliant spot. The area was massive, with giant red pines throughout the site; it sat right on the lake, meaning I could beach my canoe right on the shore and watch the sun dip over the lake. A gentle breeze kept camp a little cool and the mosquitoes off, as this trip was a relaxation trip with a bit of paddling and a lot of cooking while sitting by the fire reading.
4 Campsites sit right on the lake; 7 and 9 are the best, as 3 and 6 are more wooded and sit closer to the campground road. The rest of the sites are heavily wooded and very private, each with pros and cons. A few people I talked to over the weekend say this park is the locals' favorite. "Not many people know about this campground; it never fills up unless it is a holiday. People come here to relax, maybe hit the surrounding ATV trails, but mostly sit in the woods and take it all in," according to one local camper this weekend. I could not agree more.
There are a few hiking trails in the area and one that loops the lake; this is a bonus for sure. The trail is about 2 miles; it starts as a path between sites 9 and 10 but soon turns into a single-track trail. You could bike it, but several trees were down on the trail when I set out. Halfway through my woodsy stroll, I stumbled onto a boardwalk on the opposite side of the lake; it jets out into a bog area with lots of flora and fauna and a bench where you can sit and enjoy your surroundings. This was a fun and quick hike to get the blood flowing; there is a more extensive trail system throughout this area, which seems to be ATV trails.
Since I planned to do little on this trip, some easy campfire meals were on the agenda. First, a Smashed Onion Cheese Burger was a must; extra juicy, cheesy, and messy what a great burger should be. I also wanted to attempt some Campfire Poutine, which is actually relatively easy, with the help of the just-add-water-gravy packets. The trick is the char on the potatoes. (I will share some recipes for easy campfire meals in later posts.) I like to cook over a handbuilt fire, but it is always good to have a backup cooking source; you never know when the unexpected could happen, and you will need that little stove.
This trip and campground are fantastic; I have returned a few times and always stayed at Site 9. So, if you are looking for a place to go camping in the Chippewa State Forest, this would be my first choice; lots of peace and quiet and a great place to paddle and fish.
Note: Always remember to check when hunting openers are; the last time out was the duck opener, so at 5:30 am, the guns were going off. I am an early riser, but waking up to gunshots can be startling if you don't realize what weekend it is.
Stay: 2-3 day park
Type of Sites: Non-Electric
Phone: It was surprisingly good; I hit the hay early and streamed some X-Files.
Wood: You must bring your own; it should be DNR certified. You can harvest timber in state forest campgrounds' for a downed dead tree. But always remember to be respectful of the land and your surroundings.
Pets; Yes, they must be on a leash
Activities: Hiking, Swimming, Fishing, Canoeing, and Mountain Biking.
Water: It was a 6 out of 10 if I remember correctly. The water had a lot of iron, so I suggest bringing in your drinking water.
Site info: Clean, and most sites were quite large, some extremely large.
Favorite Sites: 7 & 9
Surrounding Area: This is a pretty rural area; you are in the middle of the Chippewa National Forest, so running into town is a 15 to 30 min drive. My after-camping meal came in Bemidji, which is about 45 minutes away.
Winter: Closed
Link to DNR site: Webster Lake Campground