WatsonsWander
  • Travel Journal
  • Our Airstream
  • Live Infographic
  • About Us
  • RV Resources
  • Contact

WatsonsWander

  • Travel Journal
  • Our Airstream
  • Live Infographic
  • About Us
  • RV Resources
  • Contact

Lakeside Living at Cass Lake

written by Amanda June 2, 2016

Nothing says summer like lakeside living.

Cass Lake

Cass Lake

About a month ago we remembered that Memorial Day weekend was coming up and scrambled to make reservations before all the campgrounds filled up. Sure enough, the first few state parks we checked were already booked, but then Tim stumbled across a small national forest campground on a lake in north-central Minnesota. Not only did they have open sites, but a few were right on the water. Perfect.

Cass Lake

Site 11 has a terrific view!

Cass Lake Loop is one of four national forest campgrounds on the shore of Cass Lake. Of the four it’s the only campground with wide open lake views. No hook-ups, a permanently closed dump station, and “primitive” showers mean this is no resort-style campground, but for our needs it couldn’t be better.

Cass Lake

Site 21 in the Chippewa CG. This is the best choice if you want an electric hook-up.

No surprise that all the sites were full over the holiday weekend, and while the thick border of trees between sites provided us with lots of privacy, we could have done without the neighbor’s nightly chainsaw session (downed and dead tress are fair game here – I guess a regular handsaw was not enough for him ). We survived the busy weekend though and have been enjoying a nearly empty campground all week.

Cass Lake

All tucked into the forest

The weather has been…well exactly like you would expect the weather to be at the end of May in a northern climate. Sunny and warm one day, rainy and cold the next, partly sunny the next day, more rain the next, and so on. Reminds us of the northeast — except with more mosquitos. Despite more clouds than sun, we’ve made sure to get out when we can and managed two paddles around the lake, a ride on the Migizi Bike trail, a few walks around the campground, and even a drive to Bemidji for some Memorial Day ice cream.

Cass Lake

Biking on the Migizi Trail

Cass Lake

The blue waters of Cass Lake

Cass Lake

A lonely boat ramp

Cass Lake

Evening paddle

Cass Lake

A subtle sunset

Bemidji, Minnesota

Tim hanging with Babe the Big Blue Ox

Cass Lake

Obligatory Memorial Day ice cream

We planned to move on to another lake this weekend, but after failing to find a suitable campground (i.e. one with cell service) that had waterfront sites, we decided to stay here for another week. Our site is already booked, so we have to pack up and move a few sties down, but with the same awesome lake view it’s hard to complain.

5 comments
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Amanda

previous post
Heading East Across North Dakota
next post
More Minnesota Lakes

You may also like

Heading East Across North Dakota

May 27, 2016

The Black Hills

August 4, 2012

Dillon Lake

July 16, 2013

Oh Kentucky…

October 19, 2015

Little Bay De Noc

July 15, 2012

Haviland Lake Campground

May 27, 2013

Temperance River, Minnesota

July 24, 2012

Schoolhouse Campground & Bullards Bar Reservoir

May 18, 2018

Two Weeks Exploring the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway

June 28, 2018

Stillwater Campground

July 17, 2013

5 comments

Brad June 2, 2016 - 4:11 pm

Hey! We were neighbors for the weekend. We noticed you were from South Dakota and I thought for sure you were already familiar with the place. We make one trip to the Chippewa National Forest every year from the twin cities and usually stay in the chippewa loop. This was our first time in the cass lake loop and did so because of the sites right on the lake (great for launching our kayaks). My sisters family was in site 4 and we were in site 6. I reported the all night use of generators to the forest service office in town and they said they will do some follow up. If you havent made a trip into Cass Lake to see the Supervisors Office its a really neat old building and worth the time. If you do that please report the chainsaw exhibition to them. I forgot about that one and they will wanna know. I think that most of the issues would not have happened had there been a host. This years host in this loop had to back out due to health issues. Hey. Glad you like the campground even with the distractions.

Reply
Amanda June 6, 2016 - 1:48 pm

Oh too bad we didn’t connect in person! I can see why you would come here again and again. We’re loving the campground and lake. This week we moved over to site 6 because 11 was already reserved and we wanted to stay longer. Loving the wide open lake view! They must have found a replacement host because someone moved into the host site late last week. It’s been quiet here since the holiday crowd left.

Reply
Metamorphosis Lisa June 2, 2016 - 5:37 pm

Looks like a gorgeous place…postcard perfect…especially after the crowds moved on!

Reply
Srfade June 14, 2016 - 11:58 am

Glad to see you enjoying our North Country. We have had a Family cabin on Lake Bemidji for over 100 years. You can always revisit Paul and Babe via the Chamber’s webcam
http://www.bemidji.org/pages/ChamberWebcams

Reply
Amanda June 15, 2016 - 2:28 pm

Great place to have a cabin! Thanks for the webcam link. We’ll have to check and see what Paul & Babe look like covered with snow this winter :)

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

days on the road

About The Watsons

About The Watsons

This is the story of Tim & Amanda. Since 2012, we have traveled the U.S. while living and working from our renovated 25-foot Airstream. Follow us on our crazy journey in search of beautiful scenery, fun adventures, interesting people, tasty foods, and more…

Keep in touch

Facebook Instagram Pinterest Email

Subscribe by Email

* indicates required

Wandering Threads Embroidery

Wandering Threads Embroidery
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

@2017 - PenciDesign. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by PenciDesign


Back To Top