Searching for a tent campsite near Biwabik? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
$10 / night
$16 - $32 / night
Site located on wooded bluff overlooking Big Sturgeon Lake, nestled between the picnic area and boat landing. Spigot for water and vault toilets available. May accommodate a few small camping trailers, but is primarily a tenting area.
$100 / night
Cone stay in “New Old Growth” trees in a manner of dispersion. It is a primitive listing but close enough to ammetites and adventures in Northeastern Minnesota! My private back forty will be nice and private and quiet.
$18 - $22 / night
Big Rice Lake is a large, shallow lake- 1870 acres, maximum depth 5 feet. For 2000 years and continuing today, wild rice has been harvested from the lake. The area offers a drive-in rustic campground with 3 campsites, duck hunting, a boat launch for small boats and some fishing. Downloadable map and information.
This is one of our Backcountry sites which is a near- wilderness single party site and is accessible only by foot or boat. These sites are first come, first served. There are 2 sites on this lake, each have a fire grate, a latrine and may have a picnic table. A few reminders: Hang food packs, put your fire out each time you leave your campsite, treat or boil all water, wash yourself and dishes at least 150ft from any body of water, pack out all garbage and Leave No Trace. Use a Forest Map to locate campsites and accesses. (You can purchase a map on line at http://www.nationalforeststore.com/ or at any of the District offices or by mail.) This lake may be a part of or has portage or waterway access into the BWCAW. When portaging or paddling out of this lake and into another you’ll want to check to see if you’ll be entering into the BWCAW. Permits are always required while traveling in the BWCAW. If traveling for the day by paddle or foot you can use a self issued permit found at any Ranger District office or at the kiosk at the official entry point. Motor powered watercraft is permitted only on designated lakes. When traveling over night or using a motor please look at the BWCAW portion of this web site or take a look at the reservation sit.
Guide
Quiet campground with a short walk to the lake. RV and tent camping had separate areas. Restrooms and showers were clean. Close to Ely.
Guide
Camped here in early July and had no issues getting a secluded tent site. Beautiful area with sort walks throughout the campground and down to the lake.
Guide
I got a tent site (E5) for a one night stay. The check in process was quick and seamless and the site was nice. I was sleeping on a bit of an incline, and there wasn’t a truly flat spot, but I made due. There was one tent in the spot next to me, but was far enough away to not be noisy.
Scout
The park has a beautiful private lake with swimming beach, a few cabins available for rental, plenty of space for tent camping. A large pavilion with dancehall above and kitchen/dining on the lower level. There are memberships available to the park with sponsorship by a current member. There are fun events held at the park including a midsummer festival.
Check their website for scheduled events to come in and check out the park.
Guide
My husband and I camped here over the 4th of July weekend with our entire family. We loved the campsites as the sites where spacious and seemed more secluded with all the trees. We loved how wooded the sites where as it felt more like camping and provided more privacy. The campground was pretty and very well kept. The sites vary in size so I would recommend driving around the loops to check them out to see which one would fit your best camping needs for your RV/Tents. We always do this as we like to know which sites to get the next time we camp here. We got the last two first come first serve non electric sites as it was over the 4th of July so we actually got lucky to get a site at all. We used generators as it was almost 100 out the entire week we camped. The campground asks for generators to be turned off I believe between 10-10:30pm.
We spent most of our time at the beach and in the lake as swimming was a must this week due to it being so hot out. We brought our lily pad to use out on the water which was a big hit for everyone in our group.
The tent sites where amazing they were full of trees for more of feel of actual roughing it camping. The best part of this campground is the tent site area has their own beach area which was amazing for all the kids in our group. The hosts were very informational and even delivered ice and firewood if you needed more! This was a huge perk as this campground has so many loops and our group camped in RV sites and Tent Sites.
The beach area was very clean and boat launch was nice. Very friendly hosts as each loop has hosts assigned which was convenient. The lake is huge just had to be careful as this was our first time at this lake and since the water levels where down the sand bars were more noticeable then usual as locals stated. We plan on coming back to this campground it was very clean and well kept.
Legend
The campground is located in a very nice small town and the water sites are amazing for sunrise. The campground has all the amenities you need; Full hookups, water, dump station, fire rings, and picnic tables. Tent sites were the most numerous, but there were several RVs. We saw everything from big RVs to motorcycles here. Things were clean but it was a super packed when we were there. You can't sit outside without getting to know your neighbors inner secrets!
The view and access to water is what would bring us back.
Guide
We stayed here last June with our large family. My bf and I stayed 2 nights in a cabin and tent camped 2 nights on a camp site. This area has great access to many lakes including the BWCA along with being close to Ely for anything you may have forgotten. Silver Rapids Lodge itself has a bar/restaurant right by campground along with many other amenities. Many cabins to choose from from 4-6 ppl all the way up to a 24 person cabin!! Good fishing and lots of areas to do so without a boat, if you don’t have a boat and would like to rent one SRL offers boat rentals. Small swimming area and play place for kids. Pet friendly, clean, and nice hosts.
Traveler
We stayed at site 312E, pull through site which made it convenient with the boat. We tent camp and it had a nice flat grassy spot for the tent with ample room for the screened in shelter. (+’s)
(-‘s)
We didn’t do any biking but should bring the bikes next time as the paths look good.
I see this campground more for RV and non-kid groups.
Legend
This is a campground with good access to Lake Vermilion and excellent fishing, so that would be a main draw. This is a private campground and has some sites reserved for seasonal RV camping, and other sites avaialble for short term RV or tent camping. Many of the RV sites are open and close together, but there is also a loop set back in the woods that has shady campsites both on or off the lake which are pretty nice. The facilities seem a bit worn over all, but there is a basic camp office with some supplies, great docks for boats, a new playground for kids, and a nice picnic shelter. I think the man draw here is access to fishing, but you could easily get to Lake Vermilion State Park and the Mesabi Bike Trail which arent far away.
LegendIf your objective is a daytrip or weekend trip to Two Harbors without dropping a lot of money for lodging, this is an adequate campground. There is a good new bathhouse facility, and the location of the campground is primo for exploring the Two Harbors area. However, the campsites are small, jampacked together, and open without trees. RVers will find the anrnities they need, but even for them I think they might find it a bit crowded. Not good for tent campers, no privacy, a lot of noise, and hard tent sites. Car camping might not be so bad if you really want to be in the Two Harbors area. Campground closes mid October to mid May.
Note--the website link in the listing above doesnt seem to work, the correct website address is http://www.twoharborsmn.gov/city_departments/burlington_bay_campground/index.php
TravelerThis campground is busy but not overcrowded. Their tent sites for the most part are open but large enough to feel like you have some privacy and space. The campground is right on Lake Superior with an easy walk to the beach. Nice playground. The bathrooms are clean though definitely older. The handicap accessible bathroom is still up a slight incline. Also it is only a permanent outhouse-there are no lights, no sinks or even hand sanitizer in it so that was disappointing. Employees were nice-however when calling to make a reservation it went right to voicemail I left a message and never got a call back…we decided to just stop and see if they had vacancies and they did. Overall we would definitely stay there again.
Legend
A really nice place with lots of fun stuff do to right in the campground including a beach and boat ramp on Pelican Lake. There is a nice playground area for kids. The place caters mostly to seasonal folks more than overnight roadies. I stumbled on it by accident when I was heading to Voyageurs NP but just wanted to get off the road for the night.
Some of the seasonal sites have extensive decking and screened porches. The sites for the temp folks had full hookups but were gravel that was not well maintained and not level. The bathrooms were ok, maybe a C+. There was no soap at the men’s bathroom sink. There are only six daily/weekly RV/tent sites. The rest are seasonal rentals. It got 4 stars instead of 3 because it is so pretty and peaceful.
GuideBurlington Bay Campground was clean. The shower house by the playground was clean and new. The playground seemed fairly new and the kids loved playing on it. Walking on the beach lead to a nice City trail. The kids loved climbing all over the rock formations and finding new rocks.
The sites are close together and small. We tent camped and the ground was super hard. I am glad I had my MSR Groundhog stakes since my other stakes would not have worked. My MSR Groundhog stakes took a beating getting them into the ground.
The water from the site was good. Firewood at the campground is$6.00 a bundle and it is not well aged so it is a little hard to get going. The shop on site is nice and they stock quality items.
I would stay there again, but in the off-season so the campground is not full of people.
LegendThis campground is adjacent to the Burlington Bay Campground. It has 3 rows of 11 sites meant for full hookup and big rigs. They are terraced so sites 24-34 are on the top while 1-12 are closest to the water and on the bottom of the hill.
This is specifically meant for big rigs. No shade and no privacy unless you are inside. What they do offer is great facilities and an amazing view! There is also a community feel here where everyone most likely talks to each other and knows each other by the end of their stay. At the bottom of the hill is the waterfront. You can do a lot from here.
You can rent for $45.00 per night or $276.00 per week. Sites are packed graves so they are level and easy in and out with your rig. Wouldn’t want to tent camp here. They have a nice shower house and dump stations as would be needed for big rigs. It is newer than the additional campground and still close to Lake Superior.
LegendBear Head Lake is an established, full service state park that has something for everyone. There are a variety of camping opportunities, from camper cabins to guesthouse to tent campsites with lake access to RV sites. Though you have to hike to the beach, the beach is really lovely and has boat rental. There is an extensive network of trails for both hiking and cross country skiing, with a really great indoor Trail Center that serves as winter warming house, indoor meeting place for rainy days, and classroom for park naturalist events. The lake is great for boating, fishing and paddling. though part of the lake shore is privately owned, the lake is quiet and peaceful overall, nestled in tall pines with easy access to the town of Ely if desired. The vicinity is known for bears and is part of a long term bear research study; visit the American Bear Center nearby if interested! https://www.bear.org/website/
TravelerThis is a small campground but so beautiful. We stayed at site 7. It consisted of "two areas" which was super cool. The "lower level" was where we parked with a decent driveway. It also had the picnic table and fire pit with a gravel area for a tent pad. The "upper area" was up a small hill and there was the amazing view overlooking Jeanette lake. There was a huge rock outcropping overlooking the lake and an area for our 8 woman tent. We had views of the lake from bed. So beautiful! The mosquitoes weren't too bad except right at dusk. The vault toilets were not the best and the sites were rather close but with the right site you wouldn't even know it. Sites 6 and 7 both have the "two areas" with more secluded areas you could tent. Site 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 all have some level of water access. The people at sites 8 and 9 had kayaks/canoes pulled right into their site. Site 7 has the best overview of the lake but no direct water access. The best part...the loons and ducks at dusk and dawn. One of my favorite things.
Legend
This is a small, well kept but basic private campground mostly for RVs but it does have some tent sites. The website advertises its location as “minutes from Duluth” but that would be a hood 15 minutes to the outer limits, a good half hour to the harbor. It isnt on a lake or in the woods, doesnt have a view of Lake Superior, isnt near a state park, and is right on a major intersection of two highways. I dont think it is meant as a northwoods vacation destination per se, but it is located adjacent to a rodeo and horse center so I would guess it is best for lodging close to whatever horsey events are happening next door. Since it isnt far from the Duluth airport and the airport has no hotels by it, perhaps this would be a decent place to stay overnight before an early morning departure, if needed. In sum, a well maintained but basic place to camp that might be a good location for select purposes. Daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal rates.
Legend
Fenske Lake Campground, MN:
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer)
Overall Rating: 4 - Great place for a canoe trip, I am told. Also access close by to the boundary waters
Price 2023: $10 / night w lifetime senior pass.
Usage during visit: During mid week it was pretty busy.
Site Privacy: pretty nice
Site Spacing: pretty nice
Site surface: Gravel
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet
Road Noise: There may be occasional road noise in the few sites closer to the entry.
Through Traffic in campground: None
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: No
Potable Water Available: Yes
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Pit Toilets
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: There are ‘some pullovers’, no separation from cg road. Those in use only had a van or used as tent sites
Cell Service (AT&T). We didn’t check at the campground. But, down the road we accessed via a new AT&T tower.
Setting: In the woods
Weather: 70’s with a storm in the forecast
Bugs: Mosquitoes are moderate.
Solar: Not great for fixed panels
Rig size: Some sites take large rigs. Check rec.gov for each site before making your reservation.
Sites:
TravelerThe sites weren’t particularly large, the singular available vault toilet for the tenting sites was usually in disarray and the general noise level was surprising....but even with all of these unexpected speed bumps the trip was great!
Everyone was super friendly and I appreciated being able to have my 3-legged companion along for the adventure. Sites were clearly marked and easy to find, along with trails to the beach area. Lots of families with children, so if you’re looking for a place to bring your littles, this should be on your list.
LegendWe spent three nights in this campground because we wanted to visit the town of Two Harbors and visit some of the nearby state parks that are known for their waterfalls. The park has 136 sites with various water, electric, and sewer hook-ups options. In addition, there are 10 primitive tent sites. The price fluctuates depending on what utilities you have and if you are on the “lakeside” or not or in the new “expansion” section. It is nice to have these pricing options if you are on a camping budget and don’t want to pay $38/night for a site but still want to stay here. Be aware that the price is based on parties of a maximum of four and one vehicle per site (with children under 12 staying for free) so the cost may go up depending on how many are in your party.
The newest section (sites 1B - 34B) has three tiered rows that have nice views of the lake but no shade for trees and there is no bathroom in this section. The tent sites are in a very undesirable location right as you enter the park which is very open so you are on display. And, because they are located near a busy road it is much nosier.
We stayed in site 82 and had trouble getting the RV level but loved that we backed up to the lake and had a nice campfire with great view. The sites along the lake are tighter than some others with just a grassy strip between you and your neighbor. But, the view is great. The bathhouse nearest our campsite was super old with cinder block walls and concrete floors and not very appealing.
While the park offers Wifi it was not very good and we just used our Verizon hotspot. Wood and ice are sold at the park but you are just a few miles from town and a large grocery if you need supplies. One of the best features of this park is being on the lake with access. There is a path leading from the campground to a beach where you can hang out or launch canoes/kayaks. We also loved that there was a trail (the Sonju Trail) accessible from the campground which led to a lighthouse and view of the harbor where you could watch the large Great Lakes freighters fill with iron ore.
Adjacent to the park is the Chamber of Commerce where we talked to a very knowledgeable and guy who gave us lots of information and recommendations on what to do in Two Harbors and the surrounding area. He was such a wealth of information and after talking to him we wished we had more time in the area to do all that he recommended. Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock State Parks are close by and definitely worth a visit. Another place you may want to visit is Betty’s Pie Shop.
Legend
This is a small state forest campground on a small bay of the larger Vermilion Lake. There is a nice beach, group picnic shelter, docks, and an adjacent public boat landing. For folks who are looking for a quiet place to stay while on a fishing trip at Vermilion, this wold be a good location, though more rustic than a state park. There are 5 fairly open sites close to the shelter and beach where RV's and trailers could easily park, but there are no hook-ups so be prepared. There is drinking water available in several locations throughout the campground, though this is shut off by mid September. There are latrine toilets, and garbage collection. There are also a group of 5 tent sites located close together that would work well as a group camp area, also cloe to the beach and docks. Further back in the woods, however, at sites 12-19, there are larger more private sites spaced much further apart and set beautifully in among shady woods. Further along the campground loop road goes up a hill with more quiet sites, and two REALLY exceptional hike-in sites at #20 and 21. Site # 20 is a true gem, beautiful tall pines, picnic table, fire ring and tent pad in a very secluded setting but still just a short hike from where you park your car. There is a path down the hill to the beach and dock area. Really a primo campsite if you can get it, though all the sites are First Come-First Served and not reserveable.
Legend
This campsite location is perfect for a weekend backcountry camping experience along the Echo Trail north and west of Ely. It would also be a good place to spend the night before launching off onto a BWCA river trip on the Indian Sioux River or the Moose River, both of which have entry points nearby. The Forest Service refers to the three campsites here as "backcountry sites," meaning they are rustic and dont have the amenities of Forest Service group campgrounds like Jeanette Lake and Fenske Lake further along the Echo Trail, but also have the advantage of being a bit less primitive and a bit more accessible than canoe-in only sites within the BWCA. There is no permit required nor campground registration needed, so staying here is on a first come first served basis. be advised though, that the sites provide only a fire grill, picnic table, and tent site, and are a pretty good hike in from the parking area, from which you will have to carry all your gear. However, it is worth the effort as you will likely be the only one, or one of few campers, at the lake, which is pristine and beautiful. A disastrous forest fire swept the north and west sides of the lake in 1970, followed by major wind storms and tree loss in the late 1980's and early 1900's, however the forest has slowly and surely recovered and the shores are beautiful once again.
LegendBear Head Lake State Park is just south of the Boundary Waters, and shares a comparable wilderness element. The shoreline is beautiful and very fun to explore by kayak.
Campground features: Cabin rentals, tent sites, and RV sites. The campground is open in fall & winter. The campsites are private, well shaded, and level. Each campsite has a picnic table and fire pit. Flush toilets, hot showers, dump station, group sites, and electric are also available.
Hiking at Bear Head Lake State Park
Fishing at Bear Head State Park
Bass, northerns, walleye, panfish, and trout can be caught at this State Park. Many people fish from the fishing dock or shoreline. Panfish are all over the lake and most likely the first ones biting. Good walleye fishing after 6pm.
Other activities:
Boat rentals, cross country ski trail (groomed), snowshoe trails, and snowmobile trails.
Legend
This state park that may be well known to locals for its stellar beach and day-use picnic grounds, but seems to be off the beaten path and a well kept secret as a family camping destination.
I would give the beach area a five star rating, as the beach is on Sturgeon Lake which is incredibly beautiful (even on a cloudy weekend like when we were there), the beach is amazing with crystal clear water, shallow depths for kids and family swimming, great picnic spots all along the expansive shoreline, new beautiful bath house, and overall terrific accessibility for folks of all kinds, including families with young kids and folks with disabilities as there are great paved walkways and gentle access ramps everywhere. There is a public boat access onto the lake just south of the beach area on Sturgeon Lake, and also in the campground which is actually across the isthmus on adjacent Side Lake. It is worth camping here if you want a relaxing vacation with daily trips to the beach, or time out on the water of either lake for fishing and boating. There are canoe rentals avaialble if you dont have a craft of your own. There are also naturalist programs,and regular outdoor perfromances by local music ensembles too, so overall there is lots to do in a relaxing and fun outdoorsy location.
I am giving the campground itself just a 4 star rating for a couple reasons. First, there is currently a water issue--testing has found contamination in the campground wells, so there isnt potable water and you have to get drinking water from other locations in the area. The campground also seems a bit cramped, with most sites placed very close together, so you dont get a real quiet secluded experience. An exception are some of the sites at the end of the loop, such as campsite 30, where the neighbors arent so close. Also, the Group campsite, which is located in between the beach and the boat access on Sturgeon Lake, is probably the best camping option in the park, with its own indoor shelter and tent sites for groups up to 40--for your best camping experience here in the park, get a group together and go for the group site!
Legend
Dyrt Ranger Review of Banner and Oak Products at the South Kawishiwi Campground
Campground Review: My husband and his motorcycle buddies love riding on backroads and scenic byways in our state and National Forests in northern Minnesota. The MN State Highway 1 winds through the tall pines of the Chippewa National Forest, to the Bear Island state forest, and the Superior National Forest all the way east to Lake Superior. A nice weekend ride on this route includes a nice campout at the National Forest Service’s South Kawishiwi campground just off Highway 1 between Ely and Isabella. The campground is a typical rustic Forest Service campground, no hookups or plug-ins for RVs though many of the campsites would have room for a camper. All of the sites are great for tent camping, with large sheltered campsites in the pines, picnic tables and great fire rings with grill. There are water pumps for drinking water, and but the bathroom facilities are outhouses. One of the best features of this campground is the waterfront, with a nice beach and picnic area and a good boatlaunch for canoes and fishing boats. The campground is quiet and peaceful and well maintained. You can hike or boat in the area, and its an easy trip into Ely if you need supplies or want to visit the nature centers in town. Well recommended for families and small groups, accessible for motorcycles, cars, trailers and campers who want a quiet and simple camping experience.
Product review: As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes have the chance to review camping gear and related outdoor products. This review is for Banner and Oak gear, specifically their outdoor tshirts https://bannerandoak.com/collections/shirtsand their camping mugs https://bannerandoak.com/collections/gear-we-love/products/steel-camper-mug-white . My husband tried out these products on his recent camping trip with his motorcycle buddies, and he lived both of them. Our mess kit includes the standard flat sierra cups, which are fine for your instant oatmeal in the morning, but not great for coffee. The Banner and Oak mugs are enameled stainless steel, sturdy enough to be crammed into a tight pack and large enough to hold a good stiff morning coffee—and the “Freedom to Explore” motto on it is great! But most of all, he LOVED the shirts, and said they were the softest he has ever worn, whether hanging around the campsite or, more importantly, under his motorcycle jacket when he is on the road. He felt it was soft and comfy—yes, by comparison, softer even than our little pug dog, which is saying a lot— and its lightweight, and breathes well in addition to preventing chafing under his jacket. He’s a fan! He doesnt usually pay much attention to his tshirts, but Banner and Oaks are remarkable and he will surely be buying more. Its a plus that they are made in the US too!
Scout$29 for tiny, terrible primitive sites just squeezed in between the others - or - you can have a well-spaced out site right next to Minnesota 1. Frustrating. RVers and more deluxe tent campers are right on top of one another - no privacy.
Legend
Nice campground in upper Minnesota. I thought the best site was 4 as it was closest to the river, but really anything was pretty good. Site 7 had the best set up for us but 5 and 6 were good as well. Some sites were right next to each other and lacked a little privacy but it was still good. There was a nesting turtle caution when we were there.
There were no showers here but they did offer 2 toilets and a water well so you can easily manage a weekend here without a shower. It does offer for small RV and tents.
The boat access was not as easy...its not a traditional boat ramp so it is better for Canoe or Kayak. If it is rainy it would be a problem for the tow vehicle. Very basic campground but perfect for a rustic getaway.
Tent camping near Biwabik, Minnesota offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying various amenities and activities. With several well-reviewed options, campers can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and explore the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Biwabik, MN is West Two River with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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