Cut Foot Horse Campground
Cut Foot Sioux Horse Camp is located northeast of Lake Winnibigoshish. Over 120 miles of forest roads and recreation trails surround this scenic campground, making it a favorite location of campers with horses. The Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe work together to co-steward resources - making the Forest a great place to recreate as well as a special place where cultural and traditional resources are protected and preserved and the Band’s treaty rights are respected.
More like this: reservable in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Equestrian | 33 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 003 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 004 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 006 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 007 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 008 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 009 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 010 | Back-in | 45 | 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 |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $16.00 per night |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 002, 003, 004 and 29 more are listed accessible |
Unique campgrounds like Cut Foot Horse require certain restrictions to maintain water quality, minimize soil erosion and lessen any impacts on vegetation. Special attention has been paid in designating the site for horse camping. Several single-unit campsites are available, most of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Hitching racks, picket lines and manure pits are located throughout the campground. Vault toilets and a solar-powered drinking water cistern are provided. There is no campground host on site. 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 | 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/ $16 Night |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Deer River, travel northwest on Highway 46, to Forest Road 2171 (which is just over three miles past the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center). Continue approximately two miles on Forest Road 2171 to the campground. The campground entrance is on the west side of the road.
| Nearest town | Deer River, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.5583° N, 94.0664° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Wildlands Gear Exchange ↗ | 33.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 35.5 mi |
| RV sales & service | KB RV Center Inc. ↗ | 37.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
★★★★★ Trail Review - Horse Fly and Mosquito Bites - Thermacell Backpacking Repeller
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miCutfoot Horse Trail K1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miCutfoot Horse Trail O2.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miCutfoot Horse Trail N1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miCutfoot Horse Trail M2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miCutfoot Horse Trail3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miCutfoot Horse Trail H1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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 lies within the Cut Foot Experimental Forest, managed in part by the North Central Research Station in Grand Rapids and the Chippewa National Forest. A mature stand of red pine covers the area, with oak and birch trees dotting the forest. The campground has nice shade and good privacy between sites.
Recreation
Many miles of trails pass through or begin at Cut Foot Horse Camp, leading horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers through the Cut Foot Experimental Forest. Several trails are also open to off-road vehicles. Research areas are designated by various markers. Please leave the markers as you find them.
Nearby
Boating, swimming, and fishing are popular activities on Big and Little Cut Foot Sioux Lakes and Lake Winnibigoshish. These lakes and several others are within a few miles of the campground.
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 Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Sites at Cut Foot Horse Campground 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 Cut Foot Horse Campground?
$16.00 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cut Foot Horse Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cut Foot Horse Campground have?
34 sites, including 33 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Cut Foot Horse Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cut Foot Horse Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Sites 001, 002, 003, and 004 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 33 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 Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Many miles of trails pass through or begin at Cut Foot Horse Camp, leading horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers through the Cut Foot Experimental Forest. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Deer River, Minnesota. Boating, swimming, and fishing are popular activities on Big and Little Cut Foot Sioux Lakes and Lake Winnibigoshish.
Source: Getting there
What if Cut Foot Horse Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are East Seelye Bay (2.7 mi), Mosomo Point (2.9 mi), and Onegume (3.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby