Black bear activity leads to restrictions at a Chippewa National Forest campground
A juvenile male black bear climbs a tree in a backyard in the Oregon Hill Neighborhood in Richmond, Va., Thursday, May 14, 2026. The bear was tranquilized and will be released in one of the state's wildlife management areas 50 to 100 miles away. (Mik
(FOX 9) - The U.S. Forest Service has placed a restriction on what camping gear can be used at the West Winnie Campground within the Chippewa National Forest due to black bear activity.
Camping restrictions in the Chippewa National Forest
What we know:
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the West Winnie Campground, located on the western shore of Lake Winnibigoshish, has restrictions on soft-side camping equipment.
Equipment like tents and pop-up campers are not allowed due to black bear activity near the campground. The restriction on the soft-sided camping equipment is so that bears cannot get into campers' property.
The U.S. Forest Service says this campground has a higher chance of interactions with black bears due to its remote location.
The West Winnie Campground is the only campground in the area with this restriction due to human-bear encounters being more prevalent.
The restriction is set from July 1 to Oct. 13.
If there is a violation of the restriction, it is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, and campers could be fined up to $5,000 or $10,000 for organizations.
What we don't know:
The U.S. Forest Service did not reference any specific human-bear interactions or incidents that led up to this restriction.
The Source: Information from a U.S. Forest Service press release.