State Forest · Minnesota
Birch Lakes Campground and Day-Use Area
State Forest · Minnesota, United States · in Birch Lakes State Forest
- Sites
- 26
- Cost
- $17 per night, taxes included; group campsites $50 per night
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,224 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 3
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T good · Verizon good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 320-223-7841
About
The campground is considered "primitive," designed to furnish only the basic needs of the camper. The campsites consist of a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Also, vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water are available.
The campground features 29 shaded campsites located near Big Birch Lake, Big Birch Lake public landing, vault toilets, and a hand pump for drinking water. Motorboats are allowed on the lake, and noise could be a factor on the weekends for campers as many of the campsites are located right near the water with direct access.
Big Birch Lake is known to be an ideal habitat for panfish, crappie, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.
26 primitive campsites (24 drive-in), 2 of them accessible. 1 group campsite, reserved up to 120 days ahead. First come, first served for individual sites; pay the camping fee online on the day you arrive, or at a state park ranger station. Managed from Parks and Trails Sauk Rapids Area Office (320-223-7841). In Birch Lakes State Forest.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21° | -1° | -25° | 41° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 6° | -28° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 39° | 22° | -12° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 48° | 33° | 12° | 77° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 67° | 48° | 32° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 60° | 46° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 82° | 65° | 56° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 77° | 63° | 54° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 57° | 41° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 41° | 24° | 72° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 28° | 5° | 61° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 29° | 17° | -20° | 47° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Sinclair Lewis Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 9 mi
- Veterans Memorial Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 15 mi
- Charles A. Lindbergh State Park · Minnesota State Parks · 22 mi · 38 sites
- Clarissa City Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 26 mi · 5 sites
- Barsness Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 31 mi
All public campgrounds in Minnesota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.