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Established Camping

Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Sawbill Lake Campground, near Tofte, Minnesota, is a fantastic spot for those looking to dive into the beauty of the Superior National Forest. With its spacious sites, picnic tables, and fire pits, it’s perfect for gathering around the campfire after a day of adventure.

This campground is a great launch point for exploring the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Visitors have praised the cleanliness of the facilities, including the vault toilets and water spigots scattered throughout the area. One camper noted, “The sites were clean and large,” making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.

For those who enjoy a bit of convenience, the on-site Sawbill Canoe Outfitters offers gear rentals and a small store stocked with essentials. Campers appreciate the friendly staff and the easy access to canoeing opportunities right from the campground. As one reviewer put it, “The outfitters on site are amazing. Kind and helpful.”

While the campground can get busy, especially during peak season, the natural surroundings and well-spaced sites provide a nice balance of community and privacy. Whether you’re here for a quick overnight stay or a longer adventure, Sawbill Lake Campground has plenty to offer for a memorable outdoor experience.

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Location

Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest is located in Minnesota

Detail location of campground

Directions

The campground is located north of Tofte, Minnesota. Travel to Tofte via Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow Sawbill Trail 24 miles until it ends at the entrance to the campground.

Address

SAWBILL LAKE CAMPGROUND - SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST 4620 SAWBILL TRAIL
Tofte, MN 55615

Coordinates

47.8630556 N
90.8852778 W

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Connectivity

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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

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Connectivity

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    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Dec. 12, 2021

Great start into the BWCA

Tented here one night prior to paddling into the BWCA. Reserved a site a few months prior, campground was pretty full during our stay (July). Bugs were awful as expected. Campground was quiet and had trails to hike near the lake. Great spot to stay overnight if you're getting up late in the day.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2021

Great access to the boundary waters

Great access to the boundary waters. The store isn't overpriced. The staff are nice. The only problem is the party people who come to drink instead of camp.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by gebriell S., August 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by gebriell S., August 3, 2021
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by gebriell S., August 3, 2021
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2021

On the edge of the wild

No joke, this was our family’s first camping trip. We have five kids 10 and under. The sites were clean and large. Some are larger than others. Ours was about 15 feet from the next site but that was through trees.

Plenty of drinking water and bathrooms. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit with a grate.

The outfitters on site are amazing. Kind and helpful. They have pay showers and all the rentals you need.

We did a day trip and had a blast.

Site40
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 6, 2021

Remote hideaway (BWCA entry)

Perfect little campground (and outfitters) right in the lake. Great for those who still want a few amenities.

It’s a dry campground. Water at the outfitters. Vault toilets (clean and nice!) throughout. Water spigots in the campground. Dump station next to the outfitters. Outfitters have basic necessities and gear. Canoe rentals too. Campground is right in sawbill lake. Lord of portages nearby. Amazing place!

Sites are spaced out. Shaded. Most can accommodate trailers. Some are better for tents only. Our 34’ and 37’ fit perfect with plenty of room. Fire pits and tables in each one.

Highly recommend. It’s a wonderful place to camp!

BWCA entry point.

Site28
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Sep. 9, 2020

Large Campground along Superior National Forest/BWCA

Large, busy campground. You have to check in at the Sawbill Canoe Outfitters across the street from the campground entry. Even if you reserved online. It’s a bit bizarre, but whatever. Campsites are hit or miss. Some are spectacular. Some are on top of each other. Mine was right next to another site. However, it was also near water and the bathrooms.

Site44
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Rachel O., September 9, 2020
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Rachel O., September 9, 2020
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Rachel O., September 9, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2019

Pitstop Before Portage

This campground was where we stayed the night before we went out on our portaging canoe trip. I was impressed with how well kept and clean the campground was. The biffy was clean and there were multiple clean water pumps located around the campground.

We stayed at campsite 36, not our ideal choice, there were multiple campsites on the water that looked great. We arrived around 7pm, so campsites were slim pickings. Site 36 was spacious and allowed room for our 2 tents and 2 vehicles (one with a trailer). The site had a picnic table and fire pit and we were located close to the biffy.

There was a clearly labeled trail close to our site to walk to the lake. The lake was beautiful! The trail continued along the shoreline in the wooded area.

Additionally, with the Sawbill Canoe Outfitters located on the campground, there is a small convenience store supplied with food, clothing, souvenirs, camping supplies, etc. There is also a bathroom and you can pay to take a shower in the shower house. The shower cost $4 or $4.50 if you needed to rent a towel. The showers are very clean, but the water temperature is difficult to control (either hot or cold).

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Sawbill Lake Campground and it was convenient to have the canoe outfitters right there.

Site36
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Molly Y., July 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Molly Y., July 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Molly Y., July 16, 2019
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Dec. 19, 2017

The usual problem, and no fault of the campground...

Two of us were in the area for the weekend, a lovely August weekend, and loved this campground! We had short walks to the water point and to the biffy, which was clean and not unpleasant, but the problem with this, as with so many places, was that other people were there too. Quiet hours are something I would prefer enforced by a terminator-style robot. Drunken college students singing at all hours of the night are not the night-sounds I enjoy. Everything else was very nice. We had beautiful scenery and will return if we can find an opening.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2017

Love Sawbill!

Sawbill is one of our favorite campgrounds! We've stayed here numerous times and never had a bad visit. This was our first time at site #49. It is a very nice site with plenty of room. We usually do a day canoe rental when we visit and the staff at the outfitters are wonderful. Very nice and helpful - again never a bad experience!

Site#49
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Kara K., August 6, 2017
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Kara K., August 6, 2017
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Kara K., August 6, 2017
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 27, 2016

My Favorite Place in the World

Beautiful campsite, gorgeous location, and the canoe outfitters is within walking distance in case you want to shower, buy some food, supplies, or head into the BWCA! Every time I've stayed here, it's been magical. Because it's so far up north & secluded (you have to drive 30 miles down a dirt road to get there), everyone staying at the campsites are super respectful of nature.

  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Renée C., July 27, 2016
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Renée C., July 27, 2016
  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Renée C., July 27, 2016
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2016

Winter camping

The hike was beautiful and we saw moose tracks. We took a snowmobile track rather than following the trail because the snow on the trail was up to my waist. Once we got to our site it was very quiet and beautiful but not for very long. There was an ice fishing group that was drinking and snowmobiling around the lake. This would be a great place to camp once the ice fishing season is done.

  • Review photo of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest by Hayley  G., July 19, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Sawbill Lake Campground?

Sawbill Lake Campground offers basic amenities for a true wilderness experience. The campground features clean vault toilets (biffies) distributed throughout the area, multiple drinking water spigots, picnic tables and fire pits at each site. It's a dry campground with no electricity or showers, though the adjacent Sawbill Canoe Outfitters offers shower facilities. A dump station is located next to the outfitters. Campsites vary in size, with some being more spacious than others. The outfitters store provides basic supplies and camping necessities if you forget something. Despite its rustic nature, the campground is well-maintained and clean.

What recreational activities are available at Sawbill Lake in Minnesota?

Sawbill Lake offers abundant recreational opportunities in a pristine wilderness setting. Canoeing is extremely popular, with day rentals available from the adjacent outfitters—an ideal way to explore the lake's scenic beauty. The lake serves as an entry point to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) for multi-day paddling adventures. Hiking trails wind through the surrounding Superior National Forest, offering opportunities to spot wildlife including moose. Fishing is excellent, with ice fishing popular in winter. Snowmobiling is available on designated trails during winter months. The secluded location, about 30 miles down a dirt road, provides a peaceful setting for nature appreciation and stargazing.

Is there a map of Sawbill Lake Campground showing campsite locations?

Yes, maps of Sawbill Lake Campground are available showing the layout of all 50+ campsites. When you arrive, you'll need to check in at the Sawbill Canoe Outfitters across from the campground entrance, where you can get a detailed map. Some sites are more private or spacious than others (like site #49, which offers plenty of room), while others are positioned closer together. Maps typically indicate proximity to amenities like water spigots and vault toilets. For planning purposes, it's recommended to check the Superior National Forest website for digital maps before your trip.

Are there photos of Sawbill Lake Campground to view before booking?

Yes, photos of Sawbill Lake Campground are available online through various camping platforms and the Superior National Forest website. These images showcase the campsite layouts, lake views, and surrounding forest environment. The photos can help you get a sense of the campground's natural setting before booking. For the most current and comprehensive collection of campsite photos, check official Forest Service resources and camping websites dedicated to the Superior National Forest area.

What amenities and facilities are available at Sawbill Lake Campground?

Sawbill Lake Campground offers basic amenities for a true wilderness experience. The campground features clean vault toilets (biffies) distributed throughout the area, multiple drinking water spigots, picnic tables and fire pits at each site. It's a dry campground with no electricity or showers, though the adjacent Sawbill Canoe Outfitters offers shower facilities. A dump station is located next to the outfitters. Campsites vary in size, with some being more spacious than others. The outfitters store provides basic supplies and camping necessities if you forget something. Despite its rustic nature, the campground is well-maintained and clean.

Is there a map of Sawbill Lake Campground showing campsite locations?

Yes, maps of Sawbill Lake Campground are available showing the layout of all 50+ campsites. When you arrive, you'll need to check in at the Sawbill Canoe Outfitters across from the campground entrance, where you can get a detailed map. Some sites are more private or spacious than others (like site #49, which offers plenty of room), while others are positioned closer together. Maps typically indicate proximity to amenities like water spigots and vault toilets. For planning purposes, it's recommended to check the Superior National Forest website for digital maps before your trip.

What recreational activities are available at Sawbill Lake in Minnesota?

Sawbill Lake offers abundant recreational opportunities in a pristine wilderness setting. Canoeing is extremely popular, with day rentals available from the adjacent outfitters—an ideal way to explore the lake's scenic beauty. The lake serves as an entry point to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) for multi-day paddling adventures. Hiking trails wind through the surrounding Superior National Forest, offering opportunities to spot wildlife including moose. Fishing is excellent, with ice fishing popular in winter. Snowmobiling is available on designated trails during winter months. The secluded location, about 30 miles down a dirt road, provides a peaceful setting for nature appreciation and stargazing.