$35 - $110 / night

Camper submitted image from Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground - 1

Camper submitted image from Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground - 3

Water

Camper submitted image from Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground - 4

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground - 5

Buildings

Established Camping

Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground

35 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

Superior National Forest

Overview

Fall Lake Campground is located on the shores of Fall Lake and provides direct access into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The campground opens in early May in time for walleye fishing season, making it a popular place for anglers. Others are drawn to Fall Lake for its birding, swimming, hiking and boating opportunities. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of 3 million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border.

Recreation

Part of Fall Lake lies within the BWCAW, while the rest of the lake is open to unrestricted boating, permits are required to enter the BWCAW. View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest. Kids love the campground's swimming beach, playground and picnic area. A 1.5 mile hiking trail is also a favorite pastime for families. Anglers can try their luck for smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, perch and bluegill. Some campers might be interested in the unique opportunity to view the visitor center's display of replica artifacts found during archaeological digs within the campground and surrounding areas. There's no shortage of popular local events to attend, including the City of Ely's July 4th fireworks, the Blueberry Festival (the last full weekend in July) and the Harvest Moon Festival-mid September.

Facilities

Natural Features

The campground is nestled among majestic pine and abundant aspen and fir trees, providing the ultimate northwoods setting. Average summer temperatures are a pleasant 60-75 degrees. Birds and wildlife are abundant.

Nearby Attractions

Guests may want to take a day trip to the Dorothy Molter Museum, International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center, Ely-Winton History Museum or Soudan Mine. By far the most popular nearby attraction is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over one million acres in size, the Boundary Waters contain over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.

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Location

Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground is located in Minnesota

Directions

Fall Lake is located in Northeast MN, 100 miles North of Duluth MN. From Duluth, MN, take Highway 53 north for 50 miles to Virginia, MN. Take Highway 169 northeast for 50 miles to Ely, Minnesota, travel an addition 6.5 miles to County Road 182 (Fall Lake Road). Travel north on County Road 182 for 2 miles.

Address

KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT 1393 HIGHWAY 169
Ely, MN 55731

Coordinates

47.9525 N
91.7163889 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Fair
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
WiFi
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

SEE WHAT'S AVAILABLE

$35 - $110

/ night

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Deb M.

Guide

Reviewed May. 26, 2024

Perfect combo of modern and rustic

This will now be one of our new favorite campgrounds. It’s the perfect mix of modern (lots of nicely spaced electric sites, well maintained shower/bathrooms, on-site store, canoe rentals and more) and rustic. (Wildlife, birds, a stones throw from the BWCA, and gorgeous sunsets.) Be mindful of your camping equipment and the size of the sites - it varies widely. There’s no dump station (closest is in Ely), but there’s a spigot to fill your RV’s water tank. AT&T service was good (2 bars, fast internet and streaming), T-Mobile not so good. (1 bar, slow internet and no streaming) Thanks to the great campground hosts for tips and info too!

Site63

Month of VisitJune

Layla M.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 18, 2024

Had the Best Time!

We loved how private the campsites are! The people who run the campground were also super nice!

Month of VisitJuly

Brad P.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 17, 2023

Wooded and Secluded

The Fall Lake Campground is one of the most beautiful in the north woods. Sites are heavily wooded and secluded from the other sites. The campground is a pretty good haul from Ely so you don't have a lot of traffic in and out of the campground. Fall Lake is an entry to the BWCAW so all you have to do is launch your canoe and paddle accross the lake and you are in the Boundary Waters. I have caught a lot of Northern and Small Mouth just north of the boat ramp.

SiteRV Site - don't remember number.

Month of VisitSeptember

PJ F.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2022

Really get away !

This campground is fantastic! It’s really away from it all! We were very happy with our campsite, #17. We didn’t really have anyone next us on either side. There was plenty of space , trees & privacy from the next neighbor. The site was large , very very clean & neat & had the cleanest fire pit we’ve seen in a long time! We had our camper at the site , it’s about 25ft & there was more than enough room . There was even a little nook that a tent could’ve easily set up camp too! We stayed over the 4th of July weekend & it wasn’t rowdy at all. There’s a beach within the campground that was also very neat & clean . People going back & forth to the beach was about the only foot traffic we encountered near our site but it was totally manageable & we had plenty of privacy. We walked around the grounds & many of the sites have unique & roomy layouts. This is one of the only campgrounds we’ve been to lately that has a lot of sites we would’ve been content staying in. And we’re very picky about privacy. The hosts are also incredibly nice!! You can tell they truly have a vested interest in the grounds & actually enjoy what they do! They’re around if you need anything without being intrusive. The campground is about 8 miles outside of the cute little town of Ely. There’s now much else supply wise except venturing into Ely. Plenty of souvenirs for the tourist in you & a few spots for groceries. But be warned, it gets a little spendy so come prepared! There are also many other state parks & lakes nearby to explore if you’re looking for a day trip. Mosquitos at our site were definitely hanging out but oddly they left us alone.

Site17

Month of VisitAugust

(10) View All

Janet R.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 28, 2021

Fantastic in Fall!

This is our second time camping here, the first time being in June a few years ago. Fall camping is a different ballgame! The colors are beautiful, the campground is quieter (at least during the week) and this particular campground is more like a state park than the other more rustic campgrounds that the Forest Service runs in the area. There are several loops of campsites, totaling 64 sites, plus two group camp centers, so there are a lot of options. Although many sites are set up for RV's, there are numerous tent-only campites, and they are some of the nicest. While you can reserve some of the sites on line ahea of time, the majority of sites are actually First Come/ First Served, and you have no way of knowing if any are actually available before you get there. We arrived early on a Friday afternoon in September, and there were only a handful of sites left--and withon a half hour, severl more folks came in and all the sites were taken. The campground has a boat access, fishing areas, playground, beach, numerous side trails accessing the lake in quiet places, a campground store, and paved as well as forest trails. A plus is that they have added several new bathroom and showers houses throughout the campground, so there is plenty of access, plus they are beautifully clean. There is just a short drive into Ely for shops and cafes, or out of town to access hiking trails or lakes and rivers at the edge of the Boundary Waters. Highly recommnded!

Month of VisitOctober

(17) View All

caron

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2021

Fall Lake in SNF

Enjoyed so much extended our stay. Canoeing & hiking; if want to go beyond Fall Lake into BWCAW you can get day permit at boat landing at no cost. Instructions on permit form. Sites are all nice and private;some with access to lake. Clean bathrooms and showers. Pleasant and friendly hosts. There's NOT a dump station at park; unable to find the one recommended in Ely.

Site32

Month of VisitOctober

Ari A.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2021

Nice tucked away campground

Nice national forest campground that seems well run, has sites with decent privacy and nice bathrooms.

Sites vary a lot in size and some are quite unlevel so luck of the draw on whether your rig can fit, but worth trying.

I'd you have a Class B, B+, or small C, try to snag Site 42. It's around the curve from other sites on the loop and has great privacy. Parking spot is down a small hill from your picnic table and fire ring but the parking is quite level.

Bathrooms only have one shower per gender but work well and have good hot water.

You can get water here but note there is no RV dump station.

Lake is on the smaller side and seemed peaceful the one day we were here. Decent boat ramp for access Swimming beach isn't much but works if you want it to.

Overall a nice tucked away campground in the forest with a lake, a short paved biking/hiking trial, decent amenities and friendly staff.

Plus it's only about 8 miles from Ely if you need provisions.

Site42

Month of VisitAugust

(5) View All

B M.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020

Great campground, nice sites, boat ramp, water access and swim beach

We always look for rec.gov sites with the national Park Pass for seniors it's inexpensive & usually they are nice. We stayed in Site #63 with electric hook up. When you enter the park where the office/small store is that's where you fill with water. Our site was big with a picnic table, fire pit & a path to the lake. Our friends camped in site # 62 it was big yet had a weird tree stump in a bad place. They marked it with a night light and a flag.

The boat ramp was near the loop we were in so very easy access to the water. You can keep you boat or kayak next to the boat ramp. We kayaked out to the Boundry Waters Canoe Area and fished. We stopped & looked at several boat in campsites that are booked through Fall lake CG they are really nice and private. There are lots of lakes to pick & choose from for kayaking and boating. Clean restrooms, nice hot showers. The sites are cleaned and raked the campground is well maintained. They sell Ice & wood and a few small items in the store/office.

The best sites are #63, 62, (10 is a pull through) for Campers or tents and nice walk in sites #26 has a private beach, 59, 6029,35 are waterfront walk in sites.

There is no dump station you drive into Ely it's at the Ely Chamber of Commerce (6 miles away) for a donation. There are free brochures here too and coupon books. Only other downfall was the camphost is across from site 63 and they start early. It's quiet till they come back about 7:30 am (were still sleeping) & back in their golf cart. Beep, Beep you know what I mean. I wanted to say something but they left for a week so it was quiet early mornings. They should make them a little pull through path for the cart.

This campground was so quiet, great sites, most have a path to the lake and they have great hike in sites too. There's lots of parking at the parking lot for boaters & hikers. The swim beach is at the end of the park and it has a playground in front of it.

It was so interesting to watch boats portage going from one lake to another. People canoe & boat to the Canadian border from there. We didn't catch many fish it was warmer than normal the bite was off. Got a few small Northern Pikes and a small bass. We did see a big Eagles nest with several Eagles, saw loons, deer and other birds.

We walked the path behind our site to the water & would swim & float on floats in the lake. Great way to relax & cool off. We took cocktails & just floated & enjoyed.

The town of Ely is about 6 miles away it's a small town with a lot of canoe outfitters, fishing shops, liquor stores, some eats & by far the best Ice cream I ever had from Northern Expressions. The line can be out the door & down the street it's that good. There was a few places to eat we didn't like the Chinese place at all Oriental Orchid it was the worst we ever had. It took a 1/2 hour to get our food we called it in got there in 30 min. and it was at least 30 more once we arrived. We went to the International Wolf center spent a few hours there it was just ok. We did see a few wolves and learned a little.

The Northern Market makes their own sausage it's good we stocked up on different ones. Nice little grocery store there is a Zups grocery store too.

We did eat at the Grand Lodge it was good. It's probably 8 miles from the campground.

Site63

Month of VisitAugust

(27) View All

Stephanie K.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

Amazing campsite

Like most campgrounds some sights are better then other but we scored a good one this time! The cement fire pit ring up on top with a picnic table and room for chairs the tent pad is a hard pack of sand and pebbles so better then the usually gravel site. The mixture of trees surrounding are beautiful. Great vibes at this campground. Nice new bathroom facilities you do need a code to open the door so make sure you grab that! Definitely worth the stay if your visiting up this way. Plus the proximity to Fall Lake is outstanding. Beautiful campground 10/10 recommend

(5) View All

Amy A.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2020

Excellent wooded campground

We stayed at site 41, which can be reserved ahead, but is tent-only, no electricity. It is a neat site with several steps leading down to it from the parking area, then another staircase leading right to the lake/boat launch.

The sites at this campground are very clean, well maintained, large and wooded. Overall, the area was quiet, except we could hear people launching their boats starting at around 5:30am. The hosts work hard to make sure the facilities are clean and everyone is happy.

We would definitely stay here again.

Scott M.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2020

Perfect Entry Point to Boundary Waters

The campground is ideal...has plenty of sites to choose from. Some are reservable and others are not, and yes there will be a line at the office in the morning. The ideal sites are the waterfront sites as you don't have to rack your boat every day. You can leave your boat down by the rocks and walk up the stairs to your site. I stayed in site 23...it was right on the corner before the beach parking lot. The parking are was below the tent pad and fire ring. This was the case in many sites. The camper sits below the fire ring and any extra tents you might need. Talked to many people here who stay for a week but actually only use it as a base camp while they are out in the boundary waters. One couple I met said they stay for 2 weeks (the max) and canoe for a couple days then come back for a shower and resupply then go out again. The campground is super clean....and the hosts (which are numerous) are very good at what they do. This might be the most welcoming campground in the United States.

It is nicely located near ely so if you need something you get can get back into town pretty easily...or if you just want Custard...I'd recommend. The town certainly goes dormant in the winter months, but in the summer months it is full of people.

The fishing, boating, and paddling here give you plenty of options. It is right on the border of the boundary waters so you will need to get a permit. Day permits for non motorized are free and can be done at the camp check in or via paper at the boat landing area. The camp store is only open certain hours so if they are closed just go to the boat landing to get the permit filled out.

Site23

Month of VisitJuly

(20) View All

Gina G.

Guide

Reviewed May. 17, 2020

Favorite campground in MN

This campground is a family favorite! It's about a 5 hour drive from the cities, but worth it! One perk about Fall Lake is an entrance point into the boundary waters. You can rent a canoe at the office which also includes the permit you need to go into the boundary waters. Lake has great fishing! Beautiful scenery all year round, but we enjoy the summer/fall months most. It's best to make a reservation especially if you want to try to get a lakeside site, but there are a few first come first serve sites available, which usually are easier to get during the week, they fill up by Friday. Close to downtown Ely (but the town turns into a ghost town during off season, a lot of businesses and restaurants will close), international bear center, international wolf center, dorothy molter museum.

Month of VisitSeptember

(5) View All

Rodney A.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 4, 2019

Great place in the fall!

We have been rained on and snowed on but there are no bugs! Camping in October in Northern Minnesota is a great time of year and the fall colors are out of this world! Fall Lake is on the edge of the Boundary Waters and has easy access to it.

Robert P.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2019

Great place!

Large sites, secluded, and right on the Boundary waters!

The lake is entry point #24 for the BWCAW.

Bathrooms are clean and there is no dump station.

(7) View All

Tia H.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2019

Peaceful and beautiful

Campsites are more private than many other campgrounds. There are two loops, very nice facilities with flush toilets and showers. Several of the lake side sites are non reservable sites. Great place to do Day trips from.

MNCamper

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

Awesome Site

Very well maintained campground, close to Ely. Fun beach and play area for the kids. The sites are clean and secluded with privacy all around. Kawishiwi Falls Trail is nearby and a short rewarding hike. My family loved this campground, we will definitely go back.

Tyler D.

Guide

Reviewed May. 9, 2019

Great, Private sites

This is the best campground I’ve been too as far as privacy and site layout. Trees are between each site. Lake front campsites are actually lakefront! The bathrooms are super clean and the shower actually felt like a “personal” shower. However I would be concerned with shower availability if campground was full, 3 showers per loop (one in men’s, one in women’s, one in unisex/family bathroom). My only “complaint” if that’s what you want to call it was the heat in the bathrooms was already turned off and it was still 28 degrees at night. Made showering pretty chilly with the cold air in the bathroom. Actually ended up using the family bathroom since it was smaller and shower warmed the air some.

Kari R.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

Beautiful setting on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area

Exceptionally maintained campsites with well wooded sites. Raised cement fire pits, level tent pads, and large sites for campers and RVs. Many of the lake-side sites are nestled into the hillside with stairs going down to the water. The Fall Lake campground is very well managed and has clean shower/toilet buildings, and a store with firewood, canoe rentals, and other miscellaneous items. If there is one drawback, it is that this campground is a popular place for RVs and large campers. For those tent campers wishing to get away and have some solace, it can be busy and noisy at times - depending on who your closest neighbors are. Overall, I give it four stars because we had an RV near us with screaming children that dampened our experience. I would give it five stars due to the beautiful location, the access to the north woods/BWCA, and the care that is taken to keep it maintained.

Site041

Month of VisitJune

(4) View All

Kacey K.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2018

Seclusion and Cleanliness

This campground has well spaced, well foliaged camping spaces. Great for both tent and RV Camping. The bathrooms are immaculately clean as well. Plenty of options for hiking or getting on the lake and it is close to more attractions in Ely!

Tegan C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2018

Hands Down Favorite Family Campground

I have been camping here since I was a kid and still love it today! The campsites are pretty secluded and there are so many activities to do around Ely. Love to rent a canoe and go into the BWCA! Also, love the Blueberry Arts Fest weekend.

Janet R.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2018

Ranger Review: Brunton Outdoor products at Fall Lake, MN

Ranger Review: Brunton Outdoor products at Fall Lake USFS campground in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota

Just got back from over a week in the Superior National Forest, and have reviews of both the USFS campground at Fall Lake, and also a Product Review of some gear used for nature study and navigation during the week!

Campground review:

The Fall Lake campground is one of the largest and nicest run by the US Forest Service in the Ely area. It is right at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) wilderness, as Fall Lake is actually an entry point to the roadless motor-less BWCA. A stay at Fall lake is a great stop for a night just before launching your canoe onto a BWCA wilderness adventure, or a great destination camping spot in and of itself if you want a less rustic or remote National Forest camping experience with day trips into the wilderness and surrounding area.

The campground has large woodsy campsites that are secluded and well maintained, many set away from the lake but some right on the lake featuring their own individual canoe landings and swimming spots. Picnic tables, fire grates and tent pads are located at each site, and some have electric hookups and room for trailers. The lake is large and good for angling, boating or paddle sports, but there are also bike trails and hiking trails in the area. There is also a day-use area on a side bay, with beach and playground in the picnic area. Unlike many smaller Forest Service campgrounds in the Superior NF, this one has a small visitors center with a little store. It is also an easy run to Ely for supplies or a variety of village or outdoor activities. This would be a really ideal camping spot for a family, and also for a solo camper who wants a nice private "edge of the wilderness" retreat without being completely alone in the wilderness. Highly recommended!

Product Review

While at Fall Lake, I had a chance to do a Ranger review of a number of items from Brunton Outdoors https://www.brunton.com/ that are good for navigation and/or nature study. First, I tried out two different hand held monocular pocket spotting scopes. One, the Brunton Echo 10-30 x 21 Monocular Scope, is great for long distance bird watching or nature observation, with a magnification of 21 and zoom of 10-30 . Having occasionally had opportunity in the past to use use a colleague’s very expensive high tech professional spotting scope , I would have to say that I was extremely impressed by the quality of this scope which has high quality visuals for a naturalist, while being a fraction of the cost and much more portable. It comes with a case, lenscap, and attachment for a tripod. You really do best to use a tripod with it to steady the image if zooming in to the fullest. I was able to zoom right in to view an eagle on its nest in a tree several hundred feet away. as well as a loon on its nest on an island about 1/4 mile away. I think this scope is a great tool for the outdoor naturalist to get a close up look at bird and animal species for the purpose of ID at a distance. While I was using the scope for nature study, you could also use it for canoe trekking and trying to find the location of a distant portage up ahead along the shore. The only slight drawback is that the lens cap and tripod screw both could be easily lost; they are small and could use some kind of tether to the scope.

By comparison, I also tried out the Brunton Echo Pocket Scope, a slightly smaller water resistant scope that features a 7 x magnification and a zoom of 18. While not as powerful a scope as the one above, it is still great at zooming in fairly well on critters or portages at a distance. A distinct advantage is that it has crisp close-up focus at one foot distance, thus being able to serve as a macro lens or almost like a dissecting scope for close-up examination of grains on rocks, veins on leaves, anatomy of insects, etc. It also has a handy wrist carrier, and has a brightly colored water resistant rubber coating that is great for use on the water.

Personally, as an outdoor naturalist, I would purchase both, for their unique special attributes. If you are only casually interested in nature study, and want to use something like this more for navigation while boating or canoeing, you might want to start with the less expensive Pocket Scope, and maybe work your way up later if you want something more powerful.

I also reviewed the Brunton Locker Compass, a trekkers pocket compass that also includes a hidden compartment designed to hold a few things like keys, spare matches, and some bandaids. Very handy indeed! I compared the compass to another orienteering compass I already had, this was easy to use and the results were accurate and true. The hidden compartment is small and sensible and a really nice added feature! If you dont already have a general outdoor compass for hikes and canoe trips, I would recommend this one because of its dual purpose.

Last but not least, I tried out Bruntons pocket sized "Lost Hiker" kit that actually fits right into your wallet. It comes in a little pouch the size of a credit card, and includes a card magnifying glass, mirror, survival instructions, and a tiny flat compass. The magnifying glass of course works as a magnifying glass, but more importantly can focus sunlight onto tinder to start a fire. Does it work? I was skeptical--but in seconds it actually started a small fire in my fire grate. I was impressed! Very handy, and very portable! The mirror, obviously, would serve well to flash sunlight at passing search and rescue teams if you needed to signal where you are, and while it is thin and portable, it is also strong and break-resistant. If you get lost in the woods and havent been rescued yet, you can also check it to see how bad you look :) As for the flat mini compass, the instructions said to float it on the surface of water in a cup, or in your cupped hands; it is a bit tricky at first to place it right on the surface without breaking the water's surface tension, which you need for the compass to read properly. A few tries got it to work, however, and amazingly this tiny little compass got a pretty accurate reading and would indeed help you strike off in the right direction is you didnt have an orienteering compass . Given that this little kit is so small and so handy and so darn helpful, there is no reason not to get one, and every reason to have one with you on any outdoor trip. A few bucks well spent if you ever get lost!

Overall, Brunton has quality products for both the casual or serious outdoor trekker or scientist. Highly recommended! https://www.brunton.com/

Site49 (not reservable, but try to grab it when you come!)

Month of VisitJuly

(31) View All

Kara H.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2018

Peaceful Time

The campground was very nice and clean! Our campsite was spacious and hidden from the road. The bathrooms do have a lock on them so make sure you get the code from the host! There was a little beach and playground for kids. Lots of places to go for a walk and close to town!

(5) View All

Hatie P.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 8, 2018

Super easy in and out!

We pulled into this campground after a long drive in the dark. They allow you to arrive late (no check-in time) and we enjoyed a quick night on our way to the BWCA. The campground was beautiful to wake up to and the restroom facilities were well-kept.

Nancy W.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 17, 2017

Favorite Campground of the Season

By far this was our favorite campground of the summer. The campground is fairly small, has plenty of towering trees for shade and privacy, and sits right on Fall Lake. Fall Lake is a popular place for anglers and those looking to adventure into the boundary waters. The park will accommodate anything from tents to large RVs and is well worth a visit in our opinions. In fact, plan on staying the maximum two weeks … pretty sure you will like it as much as we did.

About half of the sites are reservable with the others being walk-ups. We booked three nights because we didn’t want to drive the RV all the way up into the northwoods of Minnesota and not get a campsite. Especially, since we were there in August during the busy summer season. While we liked our first site (which was a pull-thru), it was booked after our stay so we started scouting other sites. Walk-up site #39 caught our eyes and as luck was on our side it was going to be vacant the morning we were due to check out. That morning we headed to the office fifteen minutes before they opened to get in line hoping to book the sites. We scored the site and booked it for the maximum two weeks.

In our opinions, the walk-up sites are the most desirable because they have direct access to the water. Our site had steps that led down to the lake where we kept our kayaks on the bank so we didn’t have to rack them on the car every time we used them. Even if you don’t have one of these sites there are other public pathways leading to the lake for easy access. Our site was pretty close to the boat ramp which is a busy place so it was a big noisy – especially in the early morning hours but we didn’t mind.

The bathrooms and showers (which are free) are some of the cleanest we have found. They were cleaned daily and the camp hosts returned many times during the day to check for cleanliness and make sure they were stocked with paper products. You have to use a keypad to enter the bathroom which ensures only campers are allowed in. Water pressure in the shower was great and the water was hot. There was no dial to adjust how hot you wanted the water and our shower was almost too hot to use but that was better than being cold. There was a potable water spigot outside which made it easy to fill up our water jugs.

The park has two group camp areas that are ideal for multiple campers and are very private. They have their own bathhouse, pavilion, large grassy common area, grills, and water access. We would definitely rent one of these sites if we came back with three or four friends.

One day, I walked the Stub Lake Trail that left from the campground but was really disappointed. It is in an area with lots of blow down so there was not much shade or interesting scenery. More interesting trails are located about 15 minutes away at Bass Lake which are longer and more scenic with water access. We loved the town of Ely especially the Tuesday Farmers Market and the restaurant Insula. If you are interested in renting outdoor gear there are many outfitters in town ready to assist or you can also rent canoes for $20/day at the campground office. Don't miss the International Wolf Center, the North American Bear Center and the Dorthy Molter Museum. All are really interesting and definitely worth the price of admission.

We camped here in an RV and the only thing that could have made our experience better is if there were full hook-ups. But, since the bathrooms were clean we didn't mind. There is a water fill-up station by the camp office and a dump station in town at the Chamber of Commerce.

Site39

Month of VisitSeptember

(15) View All

Amy G.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2017

Ranger Review: Lily Trotter socks at Fall Lake Campground in Ely MN

Fall Creek Campground, on Fall Lake, is just about the last place you can stay in modern convenience (relatively speaking), before you hit the Boundary Waters, where amenities don't exist. It has everything you need in a campground, and more! Great for the family, or simply an overnight before a bigger adventure. And while I was here, I got a chance to test out my new Lily Trotter Socks!

Campground Review

We've been to this campground before, but this time, "our site" wasn't available. You know, the one you ALWAYS go to because it's "the best one". So, we had a different experience this time. This one was an "electric" spot, for an RV or such, but worked just as well as a tent pad. And yes, they do have "tent only" sites, but they were all booked this time. Very popular camp.

We were at site #8. There isn't a site that is very far from the lake, and this held true for #8 as well. The whole campground is like a big oval that is connected from one side to the other by small cut-across paths. Each cut-across has a bathroom (guarded by a keypad that you receive the code to when you check-in). That makes them just a little bit nicer, since random folks can't just happen through and take showers and such. And yes...there are showers! Rather large stalls that are pretty clean. Not like the old fashioned shower stalls with curtains that pools have in the locker rooms. This is a nice, bigger stall with a door.

Our site was near a watering spot, with potable water. So super easy to "fill up" before bed time or before you head into the BWCA. And something I've never seen before...a fire bucket! They are located at most water sources. How smart! Each site has a very well maintained and fairly large fire ring with a a grate on a pivot that you can swing out of the way. The tent pad was a tiny bit off-kilter, but then again, this was really an RV site, so I'm not complaining. Just a note. And just at the end of the campground was a lovely little playground (truly...very nice play-set rooted on sand) and a little beach with a roped off swimming area. There were even some benches for the adults to rest on. Perfect! Very pleased with this campground, every time we visit.

Product Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At Fall Lake (and at other times during my trip), I tested a pair of awesome compression socks from Lily Trotters. I received two pairs in size S/M, but only tested one at this campground. To be honest, they are so awesome, I didn't want to get the second pair dirty quite yet :) The Totally Solid Black were just that...absolutely, totally solid, in more ways than one! Here are some observations:

First, I must note, that my feet are on the small side (size 6.5). Most women's socks are too big. They have excess room in the toes and "stretch" out and bunch up in my shoes. So I have a very hard time finding anything that fits properly. Being compression socks, I knew they would be tighter fitting, so I was very excited to try them on! They fit like a glove, and I loved it! No bunching, no stretching, no falling down. They are the first "tall" sock that I've ever put on my foot that didn't fall down during the day. They truly do compress, but not in a bad way. My legs felt "livelier" and "rested" while I was wearing them.
The top band absolutely didn't cut into my leg. I have shorter legs, so sometimes, the bands hit right below my knee and cut in. Although these hit me in the same spot, they caused no problems, at all, during my wear. And they are very stretchy!
I also put them on, later in the trip, during portages. I know that's not their intended use, but I can absolutely see these being a great asset to a long sitting session in a canoe, and then on the portages themselves. They seems to dry quickly and didn't really feel wet, even when they were.
I'm absolutely certain they'd be fantastic while hiking too. Can't wait to try them out in that fashion! As "compressed" as they are against my feet, I'm guessing they'd be great to help prevent blisters and alleviate friction. (they did prevent the normal rub spot/blister spot I have when wearing my water shoes)
I believe that all their socks are identical, except for the color (oh...they do come in two different sizes), so the only difficult thing about ordering them is choosing which fancy pattern you want!

Oh, and one more note. I am a pastry chef, so I'm on my feet about 10 hours a day. I wore these to work, recently, on what was an incredibly demanding day. Up and down the stairs, all over the kitchen and they didn't falter once. My normal socks "shift and twist" inside my Danish clogs, but these never needed adjustment, not even once. Awesome!

Site#8

Month of VisitSeptember

(9) View All

Jordan L.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2017

Roomies and canoe

Roomates and I came out here in july to have weekend away. Wow!! Personal own island campsite...need I say more!!! Canoeing, fishing, bbq! It was great get away!!! The actual campsite itself is MASSIVE as well!!! Very clean and easy access to the lake!!!

SiteIsland site

Month of VisitAugust

(5) View All

Anne G.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 6, 2017

Island Campsite

A friend of ours told us about the island campground here at Fall Lake! You canoe out to your island to camp on and if it doesn't get better then that I don't know lol Couldn't tell you much about the rest of the campground but the island was primitive. Beautiful lake, we brought a canoe out and spent all day on the lake! I would recommend going to see Kawishiwi Falls nearby!

SiteIsland Campsite

Month of VisitOctober

Amy G.

Legend

Reviewed May. 10, 2017

Beautiful Sites!

We love this campground...we generally stay here one night before we enter the Boundary Waters. One of our favorite sites has stairs that go down to a tent pad. Big enough for 2 tents, easily, it also had a little trail to the water, just about 20 yards away as well as a picnic table and fire pit (raised and well maintained). The bathrooms were very clean (there is a "code" to get in so not just anyone can pop in and use them). Showers too! Highly recommended. But beware...don't have more cars at your site than allowed. We had 3 cars (2 were allowed) and we were "ticketed" for the 3rd car by the campsite police...lol. I think we had to pay $14.

Conor P.

Guide

Reviewed May. 9, 2017

Yearly camping trip

My family and I have camped here atleast once a year for the last 6 years. The facilities are all very well taken care of and clean. Lots of privacy from other campsites and very quiet overall. I always recomend fall lake to others because of all the recreation nearby.

(4) View All

Jen E.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2016

Fantastic campground, possibly the best we've ever stayed in

We've camped all over the midwest and this may be the best campground we've ever stayed in. Very clean bathrooms, nice beach for swimming, very friendly staff in the office, a small camp store, and huge campsites that are spread out. THe campsites on the lake are fantastic; we had a great site and loved listening to the loons and owls each night, with spectacular starry skies overhead. Fall lake allows motorized boats so there was some noise each morning as the early fishermen went out, but nights were quiet. There is a BWCA campsite directly across from the lakeside Fall Lake campsites, and one family was paddling back and forth all day - a neat way to introduce the BWCA to kids without going far.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground?

Camping at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground can cost between $35.00 and $110.00 depending on the site.

What is the max vehicle length at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground?

Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

Are fires allowed at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground have wifi?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground does have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground?

There are 66 campsites at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts