North Star Campground
Marcell, Minnesota · on North Star Lake · Chippewa National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About North Star Campground
North Star Campground is a U.S. Forest Service campground on North Star Lake in Chippewa National Forest, about 4 miles south of Marcell, Minnesota. The federal recreation listing describes a sandy swimming beach within walking distance of the campsites. That makes North Star an officially designated swimming hole rather than an informal one, and a straightforward lake to swim in for campers.
The campground sits on North Star Lake within Chippewa National Forest, a mixed pine-and-hardwood national forest landscape in north-central Minnesota. The lake is described as having many sheltered bays and inlets that create quiet water conditions.
Swimming at North Star Campground
Swimming takes place at a sandy beach on North Star Lake adjacent to the campground, within easy walking distance of the 38 campsites. The lake's sheltered bays and inlets provide calm, quiet water. No details on water depth, clarity, or bottom composition at the beach were found in available sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located 4 miles south of Marcell and 25 miles north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, on MN State Highway 38.
The hike in
- To the water
- short walk from campsites, exact distance not specified in sources
- Time on foot
- a few minutes on foot from any of the 38 campsites
Difficulty: easy - flat walk within the campground
Recreation.gov describes the sandy swimming beach as within 'easy walking distance' of all 38 campsites; this is a drive-up/walk-up beach, not a backcountry hike.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach in a sheltered bay of North Star Lake gives calm, gentle-looking water and easy sandy entry, but the official listing does not document lifeguard presence, beach slope, or drop-off depth, so caution is warranted for young kids despite the favorable setting.
Parking
Lot
Vehicle access is via the campground's individual site parking; a self-pay fee station/kiosk sits at the entrance for campers. No separate day-use parking area or day-use swim fee is documented, and the exact nightly camping rate is not published on the Recreation.gov page (call the facility at (218) 246-2123 for current rates).
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets are listed as an on-site amenity for North Star Campground (per Recreation.gov facility data); no separate flush restroom or beach-specific facility was documented.
On the water
Recreation.gov lists Canoeing, Kayaking, Non-Motorized Boating, and Paddle Boating among official activities at this site; a separate 'Boating' tag also appears but no boat launch, ramp, or horsepower/motor restriction is documented in sources found, so motorized-boat allowance is left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
North Star Campground: FAQ
Does North Star Campground charge a fee?
A camping fee applies per site (covers one camping unit per site); the specific nightly rate was not listed on the official Recreation.gov page. No separate day-use or swim-beach fee was found.
Is North Star Campground kid friendly?
Sandy beach in a sheltered bay of North Star Lake gives calm, gentle-looking water and easy sandy entry, but the official listing does not document lifeguard presence, beach slope, or drop-off depth, so caution is warranted for young kids despite the favorable setting.
Do I need to hike to reach North Star Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for North Star Campground?
Vehicle access is via the campground's individual site parking; a self-pay fee station/kiosk sits at the entrance for campers. No separate day-use parking area or day-use swim fee is documented, and the exact nightly camping rate is not published on the Recreation.gov page (call the facility at (218) 246-2123 for current rates).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to North Star Campground?
Recreation.gov lists Canoeing, Kayaking, Non-Motorized Boating, and Paddle Boating among official activities at this site; a separate 'Boating' tag also appears but no boat launch, ramp, or horsepower/motor restriction is documented in sources found, so motorized-boat allowance is left unconfirmed rather than assumed.
What are the rules at North Star Campground?
Pets must be leashed (6 ft max) and are prohibited from the beach area; quiet hours run 10pm-6am with no generator use during that window; campfires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished before departure; only dead and downed wood may be gathered, power saws are prohibited; fireworks including sparklers are banned; coolers and other bear attractants must be locked inside hard-sided campers or vehicles when unattended.
What water body is North Star Campground on?
North Star Campground is on North Star Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
