How much does camping cost at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace?

Camping fees at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace are $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Winnie Dam Campground - Usace first-come first-served or reservation?

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace before I book?

Yes! Winnie Dam Campground - Usace has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Winnie Dam Campground - Usace?

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace is open May 01 to October 14. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace?

Yes, Winnie Dam Campground - Usace has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Winnie Dam Campground - Usace have?

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace has 22 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace?

Yes, pets are allowed at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace?

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

4.48

260 reviews

34385 US HWY 2, GRAND RAPIDS, MN, 55744-9663, USA

Top 24% in MNFall

BReport Card

FishingSummer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Minnesota

Quick Facts

1,335 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Open May 1st to Octo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,335 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Open May 1st to Octo...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)Official Website

Get Directions

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

$24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD ELECTRIC-114134: $24.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

218-326-6128

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

34385 US HWY 2, GRAND RAPIDS, MN, 55744-9663, USA

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

34385 US HWY 2, GRAND RAPIDS, MN, 55744-9663, USA

Nearby places

Deer River (15 miles)

Weather at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

Best Time to Camp at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

Best season: fall. Fall offers the clearest benefits: crisp days, dramatically colorful red pine and hardwood foliage, and calmer lakes for fishing and wildlife viewing. Expect daytime highs roughly 45–65°F in September–early October with nights often dipping to 30–45°F, ideal for comfortable hiking, paddling, and shoreline photography while bugs are minimal. Crowds thin after Labor Day, so you get quieter campsites and excellent walleye and northern pike fishing, but be aware of early-season hunting activity in D Peak months: September, October, August, May Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 24% in MN

Highlighted as best season for crisp days, foliage, calmer lakes and quieter camping.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 01 to October 14. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open May 1st to October 15th for reservations.

About Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

Winnie Dam Campground sits on the shore of Lake Winnibigoshish in northern Minnesota's Mississippi River Headwaters area, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Large, wooded sites with electric hookups draw anglers and families to one of the state's premier walleye fisheries, with a fish cleaning station steps from camp and boat access nearby. The campground runs seasonally during peak months and offers full amenities including showers and a dump station.

The campground offers a variety of camping experiences, including RV and tent camping. Sites are spacious and include electric hookups, making it suitable for both small and large setups.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the clearest benefits: crisp days, dramatically colorful red pine and hardwood foliage, and calmer lakes for fishing and wildlife viewing. Expect daytime highs roughly 45–65°F in September–early October with nights often dipping to 30–45°F, ideal for comfortable hiking, paddling, and shoreline photography while bugs are minimal. Crowds thin after Labor Day, so you get quieter campsites and excellent walleye and northern pike fishing, but be aware of early-season hunting activity in D Peak months: September, October, August, May Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1335 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 1,335 feet elevation in northern Minnesota's glacially carved lake country, where the boreal forest meets temperate woodlands. Mixed hardwoods and red pines create a dense canopy over most sites. Winnibigoshish Lake provides direct water access for fishing and boating. Wildlife includes bald eagles, chipmunks, porcupines, and occasional black bears. Wild berries grow in the understory during summer months.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not provide hotel-style lodging, but it offers spacious campsites suitable for RVs and tents.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights during a visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

The number of guests allowed per site is not explicitly stated.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations available through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible pit toilets, accessible sites, and accessible flush toilets are available. A paved path leads to certain facilities, ensuring ease of mobility.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as large and spacious, with ample room for yard games, campers, trucks, and boats.

PrivacyCampsites offer good privacy, with spacing that ensures a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. 'Sites are nicely spaced so you have privacy,' one camper remarked.

Total Campsites22 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy and quiet, choose sites away from the road. Sites closer to the dam offer better accessibility for fishing and picnicking.

Best CampsitesSites away from the road offer more privacy and less traffic noise. Site 17 experiences road noise despite decent spacing from neighbors. Reviews note that most sites are well-separated, with enough distance to maintain a quiet atmosphere.

Need help booking Winnie Dam Campground - Usace?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Winnie Dam Campground offers 22 sites with 30/50 AMP electric hookups and several amenities, including showers, flush toilets, vault toilets, drinking water, dump station, boat ramp, picnic shelter, playground, and fish cleaning stations. Specific amenities such as flush toilets and showers are praised for cleanliness and availability of hot water. However, vault toilets have received criticism for poor maintenance and odor.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Winnie Dam Campground - Usace

Winnie Dam Campground offers a range of outdoor activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. While it is a prime destination for anglers, some campers noted limited hiking opportunities and no designated swimming areas.

Fishing5.0/5Top 1% in Minnesota

Called 'one of Minnesota's premier fisheries' with on-site fish cleaning station and boat access.

Boating4.0/5

Located on 67,000-acre Lake Winnie with campground boat ramps and easy water access.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Forest supports diverse wildlife including nesting bald eagles and black bears; wildlife viewing noted.

Water Sports4.0/5

Direct lake access on a large 67,000-acre lake makes paddling attractive and accessible.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing3.5/5Remote, peaceful site with poor cell service suggests low light, but explicit mentions are limited.

Photography4.0/5Lake vistas, fall color and wildlife (eagles) offer strong photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

260 reviews

Recommended

Winnie Dam Campground - Usace is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Winnie Dam Campground are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.3 stars. Common themes include spacious campsites, cleanliness, and a peaceful atmosphere. However, some users expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of swimming areas, poor cell service, and the occasional mosquito issue.

Review Summaries

Based on 260 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 260 reviews.

Site 17Loved
Site 17: Close to the road but otherwise quiet.
Site 8Loved
Site 8: Easy to back into with a 25' trailer.
Site 22Mentioned
Site 22: Large with good proximity to facilities.
Site 11Mentioned
Site 11: Spacious but mosquitoes were an issue.

What Campers Love

Positive reviews frequently mention the campground's cleanliness, large and private campsites, friendly hosts, and convenient amenities like the fish cleaning station and electric hookups. One user...

Based on 260 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include poor cell service, no water hookups at individual sites, and limited hiking and swimming opportunities. Mosquitoes were also frequently mentioned as a nuisance during the...

Based on 260 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing a mosquito fogger during summer. Some suggest choosing sites away from the road for added privacy and less noise. Visitors also recommend stopping by the nearby 'Gosh Dam...

Based on 260 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is described as peaceful and clean during all seasons, but mosquitoes are a significant issue in the summer. Fall brings beautiful foliage and quieter times, making it an ideal season...

Based on 260 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Showers were clean with plenty of hot water.' - 'The campsites were huge! It was so quiet and clean.' - 'The fish cleaning house had electricity and was very clean.' - 'Our favorite campground....

Based on 260 reviews