Wanaki Loop
WANAKI LOOP
Part of Chippewa National Forest
Overview
Wanaki Loop is part of the Norway Beach Recreation Area, at the southern shores of beautiful Cass Lake in north central Minnesota. The campground is a perfect location for family camping, with excellent boating and fishing opportunities.Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites. Flush and vault toilets, showers and drinking water are provided.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on the banks of Cass Lake, in a forest of mature red and white pine trees. Some sites have lake views and are near the loop's sandy beach.Cass Lake is the largest of eight lakes that make up the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes. The lake covers nearly 16,000 acres and has 27 miles of forested shoreline and sandy beaches.
Recreation
Cass Lake offers many recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing and swimming. Anglers fish for walleye, northern pike, perch and trophy muskie. A boat ramp is located within the campground.Star Island, in the middle of Cass Lake, is a unique feature of the Chippewa National Forest. Six miles of trails wind around the island, which is home to 199-acre Lake Windigo.
Hiking and biking trails are available in the area, including the Migizi Bike Trail and the Norway Beach Trail.
The Norway Beach Visitor Center is nearby. This building, with its magnificent fireplace, is a monument to the talents and craftsmanship of Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees. Programs and displays depict Dakota and Ojibwe heritage and the area's flora and fauna.
A variety of special events are held at the center throughout the year. A kid's fishing day is held in June, Bald Eagle Day is sometime in July, and Smokey Bear's birthday party is held in August. Interpretive programs are offered every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Nearby Attractions
The town of Cass Lake is located four miles west of the campground, offering restaurants, a bank, grocery and hardware stores, a movie theater and museum.Important Notices
- Fee includes one camping unit (camper, RV, pop-up, family tent) per site; additional units will be charged an additional fee
- First-come, first-served sites may be available after the reservation season
- Click here for more information on the Chippewa National Forest
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Northern Minnesota is home to black bears. Campers must keep coolers and other bear attractants locked inside hard-sided campers or in vehicles when not attended, including overnight. Black bears are present and active within the campground area. Feeding any wildlife, including hanging bird feeders, is strictly prohibited.
NEW FOR 2025: Chippewa National Forest Campground Food Storage Order
Available Activities
- Swimming Site - Swimming Site
- Hiking - Hiking
- Fishing - Fishing
- Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
- Camping - Camping
- Historic & Cultural Site - Historic & Cultural Site
- Boating - Boating
- Biking - Biking
- Swimming - Swimming
- Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
Directions
From Cass Lake, Minn., take U.S. Highway 2 east for 4 miles, to the Norway Beach Recreation Area. Turn left and follow the campground road until the signs indicate the Wanaki Campground.
Contact Information
Phone: 218-835-4291
Cass Lake, MN 56633Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 162, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 151, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 160, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 155, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 143, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 150, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 154, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 164, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 166, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 165, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 146, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 147, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 159, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 153, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 167, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 145, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 142, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 148, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 144, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 140, Loop WANAKI LOOP, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 161, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 163, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 152, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 157, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 156, Loop Wanaki, Type Standard Nonelectric
