Cut Foot Horse Campground

Campground · Minnesota · 33 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Chippewa National Forest (NF) · Open Access

33
Bookable sites
up to 8
People per site
33
Accessible sites
1,366 ft
Elevation
CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUND
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Overview

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 campground will be first-come, first-served for the entire 2025 season.

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.  

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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.

The facts

  • 33 bookable sites
  • 34 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • 33 accessible sites
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUND

Site types

  • 33 Equestrian Nonelectric
  • 1 Management

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

34 campsites at Cut Foot Horse Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
002CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
003CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
004CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
005CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
006CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
007CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
008CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
009CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
010CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
011CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
012CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
013CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
014CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
015CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
016CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
017CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
018CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
019CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
020CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
021CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
022CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
023CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDManagementBack In——8 🐾
024CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
025CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricPull ThroughGravel—8♿ 🐾
026CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
027CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
028CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
029CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricPull ThroughGravel—8♿ 🐾
030CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
031CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾
032CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricPull ThroughGravel—8♿ 🐾
033CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricPull ThroughGravel—8♿ 🐾
034CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUNDEquestrian NonelectricBack InGravel—8♿ 🐾

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.

47.55833, -94.06639 · 47°33'30.0"N 94°3'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in0.80.71.21.82.94.04.13.33.32.61.51.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

$16.00 per night

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUND
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov
CUT FOOT HORSE CAMPGROUND
Photo: USFS · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Cut Foot Horse Campground

Can you reserve a site at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Yes, Cut Foot Horse Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Cut Foot Horse Campground have?
34 sites in total, of which 33 can be booked.
Are pets allowed at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cut Foot Horse Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Cut Foot Horse Campground?
Campfires are allowed at Cut Foot Horse Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Cut Foot Horse Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.