Stubler Beach and Campground

🏞️ **Introduction / Overview**

Welcome to **Stubler Beach and Campground**, a charming and highly affordable destination situated in the heart of Minnesota's historic Mesabi Iron Range. Located in the small but recreation-rich community of Buhl, this city-operated campground offers a no-frills, rustic camping experience that connects visitors directly to the region's unique natural and recreational assets. The campground itself is modest, featuring just eight rustic campsites tucked amongst towering Norway pines, providing a quiet and relatively private setting that is not "super close" together, making it good for both small groups and larger family gatherings.

The main draw of this location is its direct proximity to Stubler Beach and the clear, spring-fed waters of Stubler Pit—a former mine pit now transformed into a beautiful swimming and fishing hole. For Minnesotans and regional travelers looking for a budget-friendly base camp with easy access to water recreation and major trail systems, Stubler Beach Campground delivers.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

The campground is conveniently located at **119 Grant Location, Buhl, MN 55713, USA**. Its positioning is a significant advantage, as it sits just "blocks from downtown Buhl," allowing easy access to local services and the town's famous "world's finest drinking water."

Accessibility is excellent for a rustic site. Vehicles can drive directly to the campground, which is situated on the historic Grant Location. The Mesabi Trail, a paved ribbon of biking and hiking opportunity that runs across the Iron Range, runs adjacent to the campground, meaning you can literally bike or walk right from your campsite onto a regional trail system. The Stubler Beach swimming area, the namesake feature, is located just "across the road" from the campground itself, requiring a quick, supervised walk to enjoy the water. Though the entry way can sometimes suffer from washout due to rain, the overall location remains highly accessible for tent campers and smaller RVs seeking a rustic experience.

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🏕️ **Services Offered**

Stubler Beach Campground is defined by its rustic nature, offering fundamental necessities for a comfortable stay while remaining budget-conscious. This is an important distinction for users to manage expectations: the focus is on a natural environment with minimal infrastructure.

• **Campsites:** Eight total rustic campsites are available, designed primarily for tent camping or small trailers/RVs (though they lack hookups).
• **Site Furnishings:** Each individual campsite is equipped with a **picnic table** and a **fire pit** for cooking and warmth. Elevated tent pads are provided for better ground insulation and comfort.
• **Reservations:** **Reservations are required** to secure one of the limited spots, rather than operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
• **Water & Sanitation (Campground):** Basic sanitation is provided, often in the form of **Porta Potties** or vault toilets. It is advisable for campers to bring their own supplies, as customer reviews note that facilities can sometimes be "really full and completely OUT of toilet paper." No potable water is available directly at the campsites.
• **Garbage Disposal:** The campground provides receptacles for garbage, though bear and other wildlife activity is noted in the area (one reviewer mentions hearing a bear tipping over a garbage can), requiring strict adherence to food and waste storage protocols.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

The Stubler Beach area is a recreational hub, offering far more than just a place to pitch a tent. Its distinct features make it a memorable Iron Range destination.

• **Stubler Beach & Pit Lake:** The beautiful, clear waters of Stubler Pit, a deep, reclaimed mine lake, offer one of the nicest **swimming areas** on the Range. The beach area, located across the road, includes **restrooms**, a **pavilion**, a **change house**, and **two fishing docks**.
• **Direct Mesabi Trail Access:** The campground's adjacency to the Mesabi Trail means you have immediate, high-quality access to miles of paved trail for **biking, walking, and running**, a major highlight for active campers.
• **Trout Fishing:** The Stubler Pit is known to be stocked for **trout fishing**, providing anglers with a unique opportunity to catch fish in the cool, clear water of a former mine pit.
• **Proximity to Disc Golf:** The highly-rated, scenic **Judson Pit Disc Golf Course** is nearby, offering 18 well-designed holes that wrap around the Judson Pit lake, providing additional recreation just minutes from your campsite.
• **Quiet, Private Sites:** Despite being close to town, the eight sites are adequately spaced, creating a comfortable atmosphere for large or small groups who prefer not to be squeezed together.

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📞 **Contact Information**

The Stubler Beach and Campground is managed by the City of Buhl. Reservations are required and should be made by phone.

Address: 119 Grant Location, Buhl, MN 55713, USA

Phone for Reservations and Information: **(218) 258-3226** (City of Buhl)

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👍 **What is Worth Choosing**

Stubler Beach and Campground is an excellent choice for a specific type of Minnesota camper: the **budget-conscious family or group seeking a rustic, nature-focused experience with quick access to modern recreation and town conveniences**. You are choosing a spot that, despite its rustic facilities, serves as a fantastic launching point for Iron Range adventures. The ability to cycle directly onto the Mesabi Trail, the opportunity to swim in the clear, refreshing waters of a mine lake, and the affordable nightly rate are significant factors that encourage repeat visits—as noted by the customer who stated, "Again we will probably be back because the campsites aren't super close but close enough for big groups."

However, visitors must arrive prepared. Wildlife is present (cougars and bears are noted in customer feedback), and strict food storage is paramount to ensure a safe stay. Additionally, bringing your own toilet paper and sanitizing supplies is recommended given the current reliance on Porta Potty facilities. For those who prioritize location, affordability, and the unique combination of rustic camping with world-class nearby recreation—like the Mesabi Trail and disc golf—Stubler Beach Campground is a local gem worth exploring on your next Northern Minnesota trip.