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.

## Overview

 Sawbill Lake Campground has immediate access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a beautiful, peaceful and wild natural feature of Minnesota's Superior National Forest. The campground acts as a convenient base camp for exploring the nearby wilderness. 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. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famed Boundary Waters.
## Recreation

 This facility draws canoe enthusiasts who seek a quiet and convenient area from which to access the surrounding wilderness. Day and overnight use of the Boundary Waters requires a permit. The campground concessionaire, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, provides a one-stop shop for canoeists of all levels within walking distance of the campground. Canoe rentals, permits and guided canoe trips are available. Campers who wish to spend time relaxing at the campground can fish for northern pike and bass; hike, bike, picnic and attend educational programs. View [recreation guides and maps][1] of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
## Natural Features

 Sawbill Lake is nestled in a thick pine forest that gives campsites excellent privacy. Birds and wildlife are abundant, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. Wildflowers add bright colors to the landscape in warmer months. The campground sits on a hill above Sawbill Lake. The 765-acre lake is within the Boundary Waters. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear, rentals and a pay telephone. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. [Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness][2] [Additional sites of interest][3]

[1]: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5202373
[2]: http://www.recreation.gov/wildernessAreaDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72600
[3]: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/superior/home/?cid=fsm91_049663&width=full

Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest

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The Best Camping Near Lutsen, Minnesota

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.

Winter camping 

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. 

My Favorite Place in the World

Superior National Forest is one of my favorite places.  There is something for everyone!

Superior National Forest

The best campground ive ever been to. Hands down!!and I have been camping my entire life! I usually stay away from any campgrounds that have amenities because the sites usually are not the greatest, but the site we had was fantastic! Also what is great is that the campground is an entry point to bwca and sawbill rents equitment right there. I coukdnt have been more happy with my stay. Cant wait to go back!

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!

Love Sawbill!

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.

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

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.

Pitstop Before Portage

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. 

Large Campground along Superior National Forest/BWCA


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. 










Remote hideaway (BWCA entry)

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. 

On the edge of the wild 

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.

Great access to the boundary waters

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.

Photos of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest

Real photos from real campers