About Big Island
Big Island is a 25-acre island at the very western end of South Turtle Lake, in Otter Tail County between Battle Lake and Underwood, Minnesota. A land bridge joins it to 75 acres of woods with trails for campers.
The campground dates from 1972, when a family bought the island and the surrounding woods to share with their relatives and with campers, so that great family memories could be made outdoors. With the help of their six children the 100 acres became a campground, wooded areas were left for everyone to enjoy, and a home was built on top of the island's hill to serve as the office.
Big Island switched to seasonal-only camping in 2000, and the family ran it with help from campers who took great pride in their summer home on the island. In 2013 a new boat launch went in, and new plumbing and electrical work gave every site electricity, water and sewer.
South Turtle Lake covers 840 acres just outside Underwood and suits everything from fishing to watersports. Because the island sits at the western end, campers could reach parts of the lake that are hard to get to by boat, which made for quiet canoeing.
The original website described Big Island as a summer camping community in northern Minnesota lake country. The campground prided itself on a clean and peaceful camping experience for everyone, and asked that only responsible campers apply.
The Camping Fire
