Zippel Bay State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Zippel Bay State Park is located in the northern part of Minnesota near the United States and Canada border. The park features a white sand beach as well as scenic views of Lake of the Woods. Visitors can enjoy the park year-round as well as numerous activities including fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Spring 14-63 F
Summer 52-79 F
Fall 20-67 F
Winter -4-21 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Zippel Bay State Park
Zippel Bay State Park offers four different campgrounds with a total of 57 campsites. Each campground can accommodate RV campers, but it is advised that large RVs do not attempt to camp past Ridge campground due to narrow roads, lack of turnarounds, and small campsites. Angler’s and Ridge campgrounds have maximum RV size limits of 50 feet. Visitors will find water and vault toilets in all four campgrounds while none of the 57 sites offer an electrical hookup. Each campground is pet-friendly and includes a firepit with a grill, picnic table, and plenty of shade trees.
What to Do at
Zippel Bay State Park
Nature lovers are sure to enjoy their visit to Zippel Bay State Park as this unique attraction has plenty to offer including fishing, bird watching, fruit and mushroom picking, and hiking. In the winter, visitors can enjoy 7 miles of cross-country skiing as well as 3 miles of snowmobiling. Visitors can check out a birding kit, GPS unit, or fishing pole for free from the park office. If you are a water lover, you can rent a canoe from the park office and paddle the self-guided tour around Zippel Bay to catch a glimpse of shorebirds.
Fishing
Anglers will find terrific fishing in the spring when spawning northern pike are most active. Walleye, perch, and bullhead are some other common species found in Lake of the Woods. If you do not have a boat, there is a fishing pier next to the boat launch on Zippel Bay.
Nature Watching
The 3,000-acre park is home to a wide variety of nature, including sandhill cranes, piping plovers, black bears, coyotes, deer, and squirrels.
Stargazing
The remote location of the park paired with the wide-open space created by Lake of the Woods makes Zippel Bay State Park a terrific location for stargazing.
Flora and Fauna
Edible wild berries and mushrooms can be found along certain hiking trails in season. Numerous migratory birds and waterfowl are spotted in the park during the spring and summer months.
Hiking
There are three separate hiking trails within the park. The South Loop is 2 miles long and features packed dirt. The Hiking Club Trail is three-quarters of a mile long and takes hikers along the sandy shoreline of Lake of the Woods.
Boating
Boaters will find a launch in Zippel Bay while a carry-in access point is just north of Lady’s Slipper campground on Lake of the Woods.
Swimming
A designated swim area can be found between Zippel Bay and Lady’s Slipper campgrounds. There are two parking areas near the beach as well as toilets and drinking water.
How to Get to
Zippel Bay State Park
Zippel Bay State Park is located at 3684 54th Ave. NW, Williams, MN 56686. If you are traveling to the park from Bemidji, MN, you will need to get onto MN-72 N. Follow MN-72 N until you reach CSAH 35, where you will turn left. Take a right-hand turn onto County Street Aid Hwy 1, and continue along the route for half a mile. Turn left onto Main St/MOM’s Way, and drive for 0.7 miles. Next, take a right-hand turn onto MN-172 N, and drive for 10 miles. When you approach 30th Ave NW, you will take a slight left turn onto 30th Ave NW. Continue along until you reach Country Rd 8 NW, and turn left. Drive for another 6 miles, and then turn right onto 54th Ave NW. The park entrance will be on your right.
Entering Zippel Bay State Park
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round. When you enter the park, you will pass the headquarters, parking area, shower facility, and dump station. If you take an immediate right-hand turn, you will head toward Ridge, Birch, and Lady’s Slipper campgrounds as well as the swimming area on Lake of the Woods. If you turn to the left at the park headquarters, you will head toward Angler’s campground and the boat launch, fishing pier, and parking area on Zippel Bay.
Minnesota State Park vehicle permit (daily) : $7.0
Minnesota State Park vehicle permit (annual) : $35.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Zippel Bay State Park
If you are looking to fish, spring is the best time of the year as the northern pike in Lake of the Woods are the most active at this time. Otherwise, the summer months will offer the most comfortable temperatures for you to enjoy all the park has to offer.
The remote location of the park offers exciting opportunities to spot wildlife such as coyotes, black bears, minks, otters, and moose. Bald eagles and ospreys have also been spotted in the bay.
Yes, all four campgrounds offer designated RV camping spots. Angler’s and Ridge campgrounds are best for larger RVs.
Yes, you need to reserve a camping spot when staying at the park. Campsites can be reserved online for a cost of $23 per night.
Yes, pets are allowed at Zippel Bay State Park but must remain on a 6-foot leash and under control at all times.