Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites, near Ely, Minnesota, is a peaceful spot tucked away in the Superior National Forest. This place is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle, with nature sounds like frogs and loons providing a soothing soundtrack.

The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, making it versatile for different camping styles. Visitors have noted the spacious and private sites, which are surrounded by trees, allowing for a sense of seclusion. One camper mentioned, “The sites had good privacy due to the trees,” which adds to the overall tranquility of the area.

If you’re into fishing or kayaking, Birch Lake is a great spot for that. Reviewers have praised the beautiful scenery and the chance to catch some northern pike while enjoying the calm waters. As one happy camper put it, “Birch has a huge area you can camp out in and do a lot of canoeing and fishing.”

For those who love hiking, there are trails right out of the campsite, so you can easily explore the stunning surroundings. The lack of electric hookups and showers keeps things rustic, but the drinking water and clean pit toilets ensure you have the essentials covered. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Birch Lake Campground offers a refreshing retreat into nature.

## Overview

 Birch Lake Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 13 miles from Ely, Minnesota. It is an ideal place to relax while enjoying fishing, boating and other recreational activities.
## Recreation

 Fishing, boating and canoeing are popular on Birch Lake. Anglers can use the boat ramp or try their luck from shore to catch northern pike, perch, crappie and walleye. There are no horsepower limitations for boats on the lake. The shoreline is inviting for campers interested in canoeing. Families also enjoy berry picking during the summer and early fall months. View [recreation guides and maps][1] of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest. 
## Natural Features

 Birch Lake covers 7,628 acres and is one of a series of lakes in the area. The campground lies in aspen and birch forest. Birds and wildlife are abundant. 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. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways. Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over 1-million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extends nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. 

[1]: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5202373

Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Ely, MN is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Ely is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Ely, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

The Best Camping Near Ely, Minnesota

We came for the fishing! Beautiful scenery as well!

Fishing

Birch has a huge area you can camp out in and do a lot of canoeing and fishing and even hunting. The scenery is very beautiful and has lots of great wildlife to see

Birch lake one great lake for fishing and camping. 

The sites had good privacy due to the trees, and I managed to set the tent up at the way back of the site, so you couldn't see it from the road. The pit toilet was pretty clean and there were even hand sanitizer bottles outside for use. The well water available had a bit of an off smell and came out a little more yellow/brown than I prefer so I did not use it.

Nice little campground

We showed up around 8 PM on a Friday and was still able to get a spot at this nice, quiet campground. It was a very peaceful spot since the gravel leading To it is quite a few miles off the highway. The lake was gorgeous with little boat traffic as well. Sites were large, private, and spread out. Some sites are reservable while others are FCFS. There were still a few open sites throughout the weekend. 

Remote, quiet campground

Very nice northern Mn. Campground . Semi primative. Stayed 2 nights and kayaked close to shore out of the wind. Caught a couple of Northerns. I think other campsites are better but this was the only one available.

Quite 

We arrived late and set up in the dark, but were pleasantly surprised in the morning.  Quiet except for the nature sounds - fronts, owls, loons at night. Hiking trails right out of the campsite. 

Photos of Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites

Real photos from real campers