Established Camping
Bearskin Lodge
Bearskin Lodge is located near the dense forests and numerous lakes of northern Minnesota. The area experiences temperatures ranging from lows of 10°F in winter to highs of 75°F in summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and enjoy activities like hiking and canoeing.
Description
Bearskin Lodge operates the East Bearskin Lake Campground on behalf of the US Forest Service. Bearskin Lodge is responsible for all its operations from May 1st through November 1st. The Campground is located on the shores of East Bearskin Lake, with many camping sites right on the water. East Bearskin Lake offers excellent fishing, swimming, boating/canoeing, waterfalls, BWCAW entry points, and world-class scenery.
East Bearskin Lake Campground has 32 campsites offering privacy and comfort. Tent camping and RV camping are permitted. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Like most Forest Service campgrounds, this is highly forested. There are no electrical hookups, nor is there an RV dump station at the campground or the resort. There are new vault toilet buildings and access to a solar-driven water pump. Showers are not available, although a refreshing swim in East Bearskin Lake will frequently do the trick.
Many people find this campground to be a good alternative to actual BWCAW camping, especially for people with younger kids or who need to have a vehicle nearby. The campground offers easy daily access to the Boundary Waters, without having to portage everything in.
The staff at nearby Bearskin Lodge will be happy to answer questions for you. Basic groceries, firewood, bait/tackle, ice, gifts, postcards, and boat/canoe rentals are available at Bearskin Lodge. However, the other amenities at Bearskin Lodge are for resort guests only and are not part of the National Forest Service campground facilities.
All campsites at the East Bearskin Lake Campground are $18.00 per night. One vehicle is included; an additional vehicle is $8.00. There is a limit of 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. If you registered online, you have paid your fees; if you are a drive-in camper, register and pay immediately after arrival. Campers who have not paid within 1 hour of arrival, or by 1 PM each day, forfeit their campsites.
Pets are allowed in the campground and the camper cabins, as long as they are quiet, well-behaved, and do not run free. The few campground complaints we get each summer almost always involve dogs in the campground. Be a good neighbor if you camp with your pets.
Reservation Info
Most sites in the East Bearskin Lake Campground have been added to the national forest service reservation website at www.recreation.gov (Answer “East Bearskin Lake” when it asks where you want to go.) Some sites are still on a “first come, first served” basis, with no reservation needed. In recent years more sites were added to the reservation system, including several favorite sites that were on a “walk-on” basis in the past. Reservations can only be made 4 or more days ahead of the desired dates; if you don’t have a reservation, this campground almost always has nice, unreserved sites still available. The NFS does not permit us to take reservations for future camping at the lodge.
Cash or personal checks are accepted; there is a drop box located at the campground entrance, so you do not need to visit the Lodge. Checks should be made out to “Bearskin Lodge.” Returned checks are subject to a $30 charge; because this is a federal campground, bounced checks and unpaid campsite bills can result in significant penalties and prosecution. A kiosk located near the campground entrance has self-registration instructions with payment envelopes.
Location
Bearskin Lodge is located in Minnesota
Coordinates
48.03505090655249 N
90.40383870362592 W
Detours Nearby
Grand Portage State Forest Devilfish Lake Campsite
55 min away
Cascade River Rustic Campground
56 min away
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 52 min from Duluth
- 5 hrs 9 min from Eau Claire
- 5 hrs 12 min from St. Cloud
- 6 hrs 20 min from Wausau
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
