Wanaki Loop
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.
More like this: reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Host/management | 17 |
Site guide
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 142 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 143 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 144 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 145 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 146 | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 147 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 148 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 165 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 166 | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
The campground offers single-family sites. Flush and vault toilets, showers and drinking water are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Chippewa National Forest |
| Fees | Use Fee/ $21 Night |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Cass Lake, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.3786° N, 94.5214° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Ridge Top Outdoors ↗ | 16.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | KB RV Center Inc. ↗ | 16.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Wanaki Campground, MN from Art S.
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miNorway Beach Nature Trail1.7 mi trail · hiking
- 0.9 miMigizi Bike - Spur A ↗1.1 mi trail · hiking
- 3 miStar Island Hiking Trail F0.4 mi trail · hiking
- 3 miStar Island Hiking Trail E0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 3 miSoo Line Gia Snowmobile Trail ↗21 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3 miSoo Line ATV Trail ↗21 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
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
This campground sits inside Chippewa National Forest.
- inChippewa 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
Historic landmarks nearby
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
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.
Guidebooks for Minnesota
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Wanaki Loop?
Sites at Wanaki Loop are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Wanaki Loop?
Use Fee/ $21 Night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Wanaki Loop?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 01:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Wanaki Loop open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Wanaki Loop have?
42 sites, including 25 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Wanaki Loop?
The longest site here provides 70 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 there showers or a dump station at Wanaki Loop?
Flush and vault toilets, showers and drinking water are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Wanaki Loop?
Yes, pets are allowed at Wanaki Loop. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Wanaki Loop?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Wanaki Loop?
Cass Lake offers many recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Wanaki Loop?
Cass Lake, Minnesota. 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.
Source: Getting there
What if Wanaki Loop is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Norway Beach Loop (under 0.1 mi), Chippewa Loop (0.7 mi, partly first-come), and Cass Lake Loop (3.8 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby