Camp buckskin

🌲 Discover the Legacy of **Camp Buckskin** on McDougal Lake, Isabella, MN! 🏞️

For decades, **Camp Buckskin** was not a typical public campground, but a highly respected and beloved private summer camp in the heart of the Minnesota Northwoods. Located on the beautiful shores of **McDougal Lake** near Isabella, this sprawling 150-acre property holds a vast amount of history, tradition, and potential. While the youth camp program closed its doors around 2017 after nearly 60 years of operation, the land and its extensive infrastructure remain, representing a truly unique and significant piece of Minnesota real estate and heritage.

Camp Buckskin was famous for its commitment to **personal growth** and social skill development, especially for children with unique learning needs like ADHD and Asperger's. The testimonials from former campers speak volumes, describing a structured, positive environment that fostered delayed gratification, organization, and self-discovery. From the unforgettable homemade bread and "special ice cream on Fridays" to the deep meaning of traditions like the **Golden Sock award**, the camp instilled lifelong values in thousands of Minnesota youth.

Today, the property is being offered to a new owner with the vision to convert this historic site—which features over 30 buildings—into a new venture, such as a large **resort, a comprehensive campground/RV park, or a retreat center**, allowing this spectacular Northwoods location to serve the public once again.

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## 🗺️ Location and Accessibility

Camp Buckskin is situated in a stunning, secluded part of the **Superior National Forest**, approximately 90 minutes northeast of Duluth. It sits on the shores of **McDougal Lake**, a pristine body of water connected to the Stony River, offering significant water frontage and a high level of privacy.

The official address is **9830 Fredrickson Rd, Isabella, MN 55607, USA**.

• **Remote Location:** The property is highly private, surrounded by Federal Land on all sides with only a few adjoining private parcels.
• **Year-Round Access:** Unlike many seasonal Northwoods properties, the site features **year-round road access**, a crucial benefit for any potential commercial operation like a future campground or resort.
• **Water Frontage:** The site boasts extensive shoreline: approximately **2,600 feet on McDougal Lake**, over **3,000 feet on the Stony River**, and about **3,200 feet on the channel** connecting the lakes.
• **Utilities:** The site includes high-speed internet capability and a wildfire suppression system, a rare convenience in such a remote setting.

Its proximity to Ely (about 35 minutes away) and the vast Superior National Forest and BWCAW makes it a prime staging location for deep wilderness adventures.

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## 🛠️ Services Offered (Infrastructure for Future Use)

While the camp is not currently operating as a public campground, the site features an astonishing amount of existing infrastructure, making its conversion to a multi-use facility, campground, or RV park highly feasible. The buildings, totaling approximately 60,000 square feet, are a remnant of its long history as a logging camp, a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in the 1930s, and the youth camp since 1959.

• Lodging/Cabins: **Sixteen bunkhouses** are on the property, capable of sleeping and housing a large number of guests (the camp historically accommodated 180 children and 65 staff).
• Dining Facilities: A **spectacular dining hall** and fully equipped kitchen facility are present, ready to serve large groups or function as a main lodge/restaurant for a future resort/campground.
• Administrative/Office: A multi-story **office building** and an owner's cabin are on site.
• Recreation: A large **recreation center** (rec. center) is available, offering space for indoor activities, event hosting, or a camp store.
• Maintenance: Multiple **garages, shops, and a health center** building provide essential maintenance and support infrastructure.
• Expansion Potential: The property includes a large undeveloped section, accessible via a full-sized bridge and dam, perfect for future expansion, such as an RV park or additional campground loops.

The site's impressive capacity means that any future owner could quickly establish a high-capacity, full-service campground or resort destination.

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## ✨ Features and Highlights

The highlights of the Camp Buckskin property blend its unique historical features with the stunning natural environment of the McDougal Lake area.

• **Historical Significance:** The site's lineage as a logging camp, a 1930s **CCC Camp**, and a renowned youth camp provides a deep, compelling narrative—a major draw for history enthusiasts and groups seeking a meaningful location.
• **McDougal Lake Access:** Immediate, private access to the lake and river chain, offering exceptional opportunities for **boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing** (including species like Northern Pike and Walleye).
• **Massive Group Capacity:** The sheer size and number of buildings make this property **unmatched for large group retreats**, corporate training, weddings, or, of course, a high-volume campground/RV park.
• **Superior National Forest Surroundings:** Being bordered by Federal Land ensures the preservation of the surrounding wilderness, offering excellent **hiking, wildlife viewing (including wolf packs and bear), and hunting** opportunities nearby.
• **Original Camp Charm:** Features like the old fire truck (from the review) and the deep-seated traditions add an intangible, nostalgic charm that a new operator could leverage to create a unique guest experience.
• **Developed Utilities:** Unlike raw land, the existing infrastructure includes electricity, well systems, and septic systems (to be verified by the purchaser), easing the immense development costs typically associated with opening a new facility.

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## 📞 Contact Information

Since Camp Buckskin is a private property no longer operating as a youth camp, there is no public phone number for camp inquiries. Those interested in the property for potential development (resort, campground, retreat center) should contact the commercial real estate listing agent associated with the sale.

• Address: 9830 Fredrickson Rd, Isabella, MN 55607, USA (Private Property)
• Managing Entity: The property was owned by the Bauer family for over 60 years.
• Relevant Inquiry: Search for the commercial real estate listing using the address for agent contact details.

Local Minnesotans with fond memories of the camp are encouraged to share their stories, as the property's history is a major component of its value.

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## 💯 What Is Worth Choosing Camp Buckskin (As a Future Site)?

The former Camp Buckskin property is an unprecedented opportunity for an investor or organization to create a **premier, large-scale camping or retreat destination** in the heart of Minnesota's Northwoods.

**1. Unmatched Infrastructure and Scale:** The property offers a vast array of existing buildings on 150 acres, providing a massive head start on development. This is not raw land; it is a fully functioning, historical complex ready for revitalization as a multi-purpose facility (e.g., a **full-service RV park, family campground, or event venue**).

**2. Prime Northwoods Location:** Its year-round access and extensive shoreline on the McDougal Lake chain place it in an ideal spot for year-round tourism, perfectly positioned between the demand centers of Duluth and the wilderness entry points near Ely.

**3. Deep Heritage:** The decades of positive memories and historical lineage (logging, CCC, youth camp) create an immediate, powerful brand story that a new campground or resort could build upon, attracting guests drawn to its nostalgic and historical appeal.

For the right visionary, Camp Buckskin offers the chance to own a true piece of Minnesota history and convert it into the next great Northwoods destination, welcoming a new generation of visitors seeking adventure, growth, and that unforgettable homemade bread.