Clubhouse Lake
Clubhouse Lake Campground is located on its peaceful namesake in the beautiful Chippewa National Forest. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing and canoeing opportunities in a scenic natural setting. Clubhouse Lake has limited cell phone service, giving it a remote feeling and offering a tranquil retreat from a connected world. The campground lies off 31 miles north of Grand Rapids, MN and just over 8 miles east of Marcell, MN off of MN State Highway 38 - the nation's first National Scenic Byway, known as "The Edge of the Wilderness."
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 29 |
| Host/management | 19 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
29 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXX | MANAGEMENT SITES | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 001 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 002 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 003 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 004 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 005 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Prime |
| 006 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 007 | NORT | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 008 | NORT | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 009 | NORT | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $16.00 per night |
| Accessibility | Sites XXX, 005, 009, 017 and 5 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers 28 reservable sites and 19 first-come, first-served, single-unit campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Two vault toilets and two hand pumps for drinking water are provided. The campground is patrolled regularly by Forest Service personnel and Itasca County law enforcement officers.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Forest | Chippewa National Forest |
| Fees | Use Fee/ $16 Night |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the south, travel on Minnesota State Highway 38 from Grand Rapids to Marcell. Turn right on County Road 45, just north of Marcell, and continue five miles east. Then travel three miles north on Forest Road 2181 to the campground.
| Nearest town | Deer River, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.6097° N, 93.5769° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Wildlands Gear Exchange ↗ | 26 mi |
| RV sales & service | Lake Country RV ↗ | 59.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Clubhouse Lake Campground MN
Trails nearby
- 2.1 miCrooked/Three Island Portage0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 2.9 miJack the Horse/Bevo Portage0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 3 miCrooked/No Mans Portage0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 4.7 miMarcell North Snowmobile Trail ↗14.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.7 miMarcell South Snowmobile Trail ↗10.2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Chippewa National Forest begins about 1.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.5 miChippewa National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,598,139 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Scenic State Park CCC/Rustic Style Service YardHistoric district · Bigfork · 6.6 mi
- Bigfork Village HallBuilding · Bigfork · 10.1 mi
Natural features
A beautiful stand of 200-year-old red and white pine trees cover the campground on the western shore of Clubhouse Lake.
Recreation
Clubhouse Lake has excellent water quality and is about 90 feet deep, providing great fishing opportunities for northern pike, bass and panfish. Swimming, canoeing and kayaking are very popular activities on the lake. The Rice River Canoe Route starts its journey to the Big Fork River from waters that flow into Clubhouse Lake. A sandy swimming beach, an accessible fishing pier, and a day use area with horshoe pits are located within the campground at the water's edge.
Nearby
The Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center is located a half-mile north of Marcell. It is a must-see for anyone camping in the area. The brand new facility offers many excellent displays, a gift shop, and several weekly naturalist programs.
Guidebooks for Minnesota
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Clubhouse Lake?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Clubhouse Lake?
$16.00 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Clubhouse Lake?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Clubhouse Lake open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Clubhouse Lake have?
48 sites, including 29 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Clubhouse Lake?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Clubhouse Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Clubhouse Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Clubhouse Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Clubhouse Lake?
Sites XXX, 005, 009, and 017 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 9 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Clubhouse Lake?
Clubhouse Lake has excellent water quality and is about 90 feet deep, providing great fishing opportunities for northern pike, bass and panfish. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Clubhouse Lake?
Deer River, Minnesota. The Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center is located a half-mile north of Marcell.
Source: Getting there
What if Clubhouse Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are North Star (5.1 mi), Noma Lake Campground (20.7 mi, first-come), and Onegume (22.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby