Leech Lake Rec Area

LEECH LAKE REC AREA

Part of Mississippi River Headwaters - Leech Lake

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.

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.

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.

Important Notices

Visitors with reservations are to go directly to their campsite. You do not need to check in at the office.
Vehicles and trailers must be parked on the campsite pads, or be parked at the designated parking areas. Tents and screen houses must also be on the campsite pad.
Pets must be on a leash at all times and all pet waste must be picked up immediately.
ATV's, UTV's and motorized scooters are not allowed in the campground.
No swimming is allowed at the boat ramps, docks or the mooring canal.
Firewood Alert! Only firewood certified or approved by a state or federal natural resource agency is permitted. Any unauthorized firewood in the campground may be removed and destroyed by Corps of Engineers staff. Certified firewood is available for purchase near this facility.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit www.dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Check in at 1pm or after on first date of reservation. Check out time is noon.

Available Activities

Visitor Center - Visitor Center
Fishing - Fishing
Interpretive Programs - Interpretive Programs
Camping - Camping
Boating - Boating
Badminton - Badminton
Shuffle Board - Shuffle Board
Ranger Station - Ranger Station
Picnicking - Picnicking
Day Use Area - Day Use Area
Water Access - Water Access
Other Recreation Concession Site - Other Recreation Concession Site

Directions

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

Cancellation Policy

<p>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.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 218-654-3145

01217 FEDERAL DAM DR. NE
FEDERAL DAM, MN 56641

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

Camp, RV, and Explore Outdoors

Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. We provide tools and tips to discover new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, and reservations. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Recreation.gov!