The Superior National Forest surrounding Ely, Minnesota provides both developed campgrounds and primitive campsites in a region known for its lakes and access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Fall Lake Campground and Fenske Lake Campground feature waterfront sites for tent and RV camping, while Bear Head Lake State Park and Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park offer cabin accommodations along with traditional camping options. Several privately operated facilities including Canoe Country Campground and Silver Rapids Lodge supplement the public lands with additional amenities and services.
Many campgrounds in the Ely region operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with a few facilities remaining open year-round. Road access varies throughout the area with some campgrounds requiring navigation of forest roads. As one visitor noted, "Fenske Lake Campground is pretty secluded, about 30 minutes from Ely, MN," highlighting the remote nature of some facilities. Water access represents a significant feature of camping in this region, with numerous boat launches and canoe access points connecting campers to the expansive lake system. Cell service may be limited at more remote locations, and campers should secure permits when planning excursions into the Boundary Waters.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors, particularly those offering direct lake access. A camper described Fall Lake Campground as having "well spaced, well foliaged camping spaces" that provide privacy between sites. The region supports diverse camping styles, from RV sites with electrical hookups at South Kawishiwi River Recreation Area to primitive tent sites and backcountry options. Many campgrounds feature clean facilities with regular maintenance, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Forest Service campgrounds typically provide basic amenities like vault toilets and drinking water, while state parks offer additional facilities such as showers and sanitary dump stations. The proximity to Ely allows campers to access supplies and services while maintaining a wilderness experience at their campsite.
$30 - $130 / night
"The Fall Lake Campground is one of the most beautiful in the north woods. Sites are heavily wooded and secluded from the other sites."
"It's around the curve from other sites on the loop and has great privacy. Parking spot is down a small hill from your picnic table and fire ring but the parking is quite level."
$23 - $90 / night
"Beautiful park overall and love the proximity from Ely and Lake Vermillion. I did find bear scat near our site so be sure to practice proper bear safety precautions."
"Quiet campground with a short walk to the lake. RV and tent camping had separate areas. Restrooms and showers were clean. Close to Ely."
$22 - $65 / night
"This is a small campground with a few pull in and walk up sites. We had a walk up site that was on the side with the lake which was really nice."
"Pretty secluded, about 30 mins from Ely, MN. This first time we just happened upon it and we were lucky to get the last available spot! Even having a site with no Lakeview was very nice."
"Small set of steps brought you up to a magical place. The site was large enough for two tents. The fire pit has a grill rack attached to it. Private sites."
"We also liked the size of the sites as they gave us plenty of space to be away from the action. The sites are wooded and give you loads of privacy."
$22 - $170 / night
"The campground had the feel of a being out in the wilderness with the convenience of being close to Ely. I loved camping at South Kawishiwi and will recommend it to my friends."
"Also it was close to Ely wich if you haven't been you must. It's a cutie little town with lots of attractions, shops, and restraunts to check out."
$21 - $95 / night
"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."
"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."
$23 - $300 / night
"Lake Vermilion is a large multi-purpose recreational lake at the edge of the Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness."
"Within reasonable driving distance to Ely which has the wolf center, shopping, etc
6. It has WiFi!!! This was huge for the kids - devices were ON s)
- No view of the lake
- No beach 3."
"The city of Ely is close for supplies and grocery shopping. Two large grocery stores. Friendly people throughout this town. Will camp here again."
$40 / night
"This area has great access to many lakes including the BWCA along with being close to Ely for anything you may have forgotten."
RangerWas a great campsite for our finale night on the water in the boundary waters and was a great site that was also very spread out and very flat, and it held up great when a huge lightning storm rolled in that very night giving us enough protection from the storm and we never noticed any knocked over trees from the storm
RangerDuring my whole week long trip in the boundary waters this campsite wasn’t the prettiest although it was a very pretty campsite but it was one of the more flat campsites allowing us to get a better nights rest but the best part of this campsite was when we took out the boats to go fishing and we had almost caught this one pike just about 3 times but each time he kept getting off our line and once we almost got him into the boat then the line snapped and so we returned to the campsite empty handed and sad but looking back on it it was quite funny and a nice story and that campsite has some of my favorite memories when up in the boundary waters
RangerA very pretty campsite for our first night in the wilderness and we got to see a beaver slap its tale then later during sunset and sunrise the water was absolutely glass and just perfect
RangerIt’s a pretty campsite but of all of our other campsites that we had stayed at this one was the least memorable and least pretty but if it was anywhere else it would easily be the best campsite but the boundary waters are just so pretty it makes the great campsites look mediocre
RangerIt was out 2nd night out in the boundary waters and we were completely alone on this lake and camped on the island in the middle making one of my favorite campsites although it does have some uneven ground but was well worth it and was a very moss covered island
GuideWent in mid May just after ice out. Incredibly quiet stay. No bugs that time of year. It was a solo trip so I just had my 2-person tent, which fit great at site 6. I fear anything bigger than a 4 person would not work at this site. Campground is located close to some excellent fishing and hiking. Seagull outfitters is close by with a public phone to call out if needed. You’re only about 30 minutes by car from grabbing a good meal at poplar haus or trail center.
TravelerMy friends and I had a great time connecting with this area. From the canoeing, hiking and fishing, our time here was very much enjoyed.
TravelerWe rolled in at night and spent the first night in our camper by the boat landing. The next day we scoped out the sites and picked the perfect one. Very easy to pull our 20’ nobo through the loop (yes…the road access loops around and puts you out by the boat landing… so, no worries about getting in and out) and backing into the site was a breeze
GuideNice secluded spot near many cool attractions but a few miles off the beaten path so it’s a lot less busy. The dirt road in was fine, the driveway was overgrown and the clearing has lots of rocks and vegetation so glad I checked it out in the daytime. I left and came back to find some other Dryters who were really cool and let me stay next to them. Had a fun night by the fire talking with the couple and looking at the stars. Overall very cool spot.
The Ely region receives 30-33 inches of annual precipitation with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F by day and 50-60°F at night. Elevated at approximately 1,400 feet, the area features dense coniferous forest interspersed with over 5,000 lakes and ponds. Campsites often require advance reservations during peak summer months, with many locations transitioning to first-come-first-served status after Labor Day.
Paddle boundary waters entries: Fall Lake Campground serves as an ideal base for day trips into the BWCA. "You can rent a canoe at the office which also includes the permit you need to go into the boundary waters," notes Gina G., who visits regularly. The campground's proximity to entry points makes it convenient for both experienced paddlers and beginners.
Mine tours and history: Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park offers unique underground experiences. "Soudan mine tours were awesome. Travel down in the mine and ride cars to see the way iron ore was mined in early 1900s," reports Sara P. The tour provides an educational alternative during inclement weather with temperatures remaining constant year-round below ground.
Wildlife centers: Bear Head Lake State Park puts visitors within easy driving distance of wildlife education centers. "Close to downtown Ely (but the town turns into a ghost town during off season, a lot of businesses and restaurants will close), international bear center, international wolf center, dorothy molter museum," explains Gina G., highlighting the seasonal nature of area attractions.
Privacy between sites: South Kawishiwi River Recreation Area offers campsites with considerable separation. "The sites are spacious and secluded so privacy was never an issue," reports Conor P. The campground maintains a buffer of native vegetation between most sites, reducing noise and creating a more isolated wilderness experience.
Accessible fishing opportunities: Silver Rapids Lodge provides waterfront sites with direct fishing access. "Most sites back up to the water and some have docks behind them and there is water & electric," reports B M. who observed fellow campers catching walleye directly from their sites. This setup eliminates the need to transport gear to separate fishing locations.
Clean facilities: Fenske Lake Campground maintains well-kept amenities despite its rustic setting. "Bathrooms were well kept and tidy," notes Conor P. The campground features vault toilets with hand sanitizer stations placed outside for additional convenience, addressing a common concern with more remote camping locations.
Weather impacts: Storm damage has affected several campgrounds in the region. At Fenske Lake, "the campground sustained a lot of damage from a windstorm not long ago, and the recovery has been slow. Many of the tall old pines are gone now, so most of the campsites are no longer secluded from each other," explains Janet R. Always check current conditions when booking.
Wildlife encounters: Bear Head Lake State Park offers regular wildlife viewing opportunities. "Best part was a quiet Sunday morning watching a deer drink from the lake while we were out there," reports Tegan C. Bear activity requires proper food storage, with metal lockers available at many campgrounds.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across campgrounds. Lake Vermilion-Soudan stands out with "top rate" cell service, according to Joanna B., who notes, "If you are looking for a state park campground to work remotely, this would be a great choice." Other campgrounds offer minimal or spotty coverage.
Swimming beaches: Birch Lake Campground offers water recreation suitable for children. "The lake was gorgeous with little boat traffic as well," reports Zack H., highlighting safer swimming conditions for families. Many sites are positioned with view of swimming areas, allowing parents to monitor children while at camp.
Playground access: Fall Lake Campground includes playground facilities for younger visitors. "The campground was very nice and clean! Our campsite was spacious and hidden from the road. There was a little beach and playground for kids," writes Kara H. The playground equipment is centrally located near the beach area.
Climbing opportunities: Lake Vermilion-Soudan features natural rock formations that entertain children. "We stayed at site 312E with an awesome rock structure the kids had a blast climbing on," notes Sara P. These natural features provide activity options when families need breaks from water activities.
Electric site availability: South Kawishiwi River Recreation Area offers powered sites for RV campers. "I spent two nights at site #13 which was an electric site with my RV," mentions SmallRVLifestyle V., though adding a caution about mice being active at night. The electric sites accommodate mid-sized RVs with moderate leveling required.
Dump station locations: Facilities for waste disposal require planning. "There is a water fill-up station by the camp office and a dump station in town at the Chamber of Commerce," notes Nancy W. regarding Fall Lake accommodations. The Ely visitor center provides a dump station for $5 per use, serving multiple campgrounds in the area.
Site surfaces: Canoe Country Campground provides developed sites suitable for RVs. "Offers showers and a restroom. Has a fire pit and grate," reports Josh M. Sites feature level gravel pads that remain stable during rain, though the campground lacks sewer hookups at individual sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ely, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ely, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Ely, MN and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ely, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ely, MN is Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 35 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ely, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Ely, MN.
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