For those who want to get away from civilization for a weekend, but still want the comforts of home, consider renting a cabin for your Ely camping trip. Find the best information on cabins near Ely, including photos, reviews, and tips. From secluded to easy-to-reach, these Minnesota cabin rentals are perfect for any adventurer.
$16 - $22 / night
$35 / night
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.
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 of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
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.
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.
$55 - $89 / night
Located just 4 miles outside of Ely (on the edge of the Boundary Waters), Silver Rapids is located on a vast private peninsula with water on three sides, allowing for some of the best fishing around. You can discover the waterway amongst the 20 miles of open shoreline on any of the four lakes to which you’ll have access.
The Tomahawk snowmobile trail is located right outside the lodge. Spend the day snowmobiling and exploring the local trails. Come back to enjoy a nice dinner and relax in our Hearthside Lounge. Cross country ski on our private groomed trails. Try your luck ice fishing right outside your cabin. We have plenty to do to occupy your time.
Clean, lakeside cabins, motel suites, or camp sites
Full bar and restaurant
Fire pits and charcoal grills available with cabins
Docks with electrical hook-up
Private hiking/cross country ski trails
Pet Friendly
Access to Snowmobiling & ATV Trails
On site live bait
Lake maps
Gift shop
Fish cleaning house
Waterfront gas pumps
Dry/split firewood
Shower house
Full RV hook up
Wireless Internet available in the lodge$40 / night
There is a separate listing for the "campground". This is for the CABINS.
Eight camper cabins with heat, electricity, Wi-Fi; available year-round. Two are wheelchair accessible; accessible showers and flush toilets nearby. No pets. Each cabin sleeps 6; with either 3 full bunks, or two full and two twin bunks. Outdoor food prep counter, campfire ring and table.
$90 / night
In season camping runs from April to September, with reservations available. Off season camping is first-come-first-served at a discounted rate
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.
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 of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
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.
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 Additional sites of interest
$20 / night
Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground provides three campsites and a picnic area under red pines on the shore of Eighteen Lake. A trail around the lake and a carry down boat access make this a wonderful spot to spend a weekend in the woods.
We offer a chance to discover the North Country. Explore the area on an ATV, a snowmobile, snowshoes or on foot and return to the warmth of a cozy fire in our lodge. Wildhurst is a private lodge and campground tucked into 40 acres of wilderness located in the Sawtooth Mountains. Bears, moose and grouse are common sightings along the many trails and creeks that surround Wildhurst. With direct access to the ATV/snowmobile trails, the adventure is endless.
Each campsite is located in a private, rustic setting with fire rings and picnic tables. Four RV sites with 40 amp and water, dry lodge rooms and soon to be added Yurts! Our log cabins are rustic with electric, propane heat, mini fridge, microwave and screened porches with a log swing overlooking Wildhurst Creek. All sites and rooms come with 24/7 access to the shower rooms.
Scout
Camp ground right on a large lake, family owned and well maintained.
Scout
Great primitive campsite to hit on the way to Voyaguers National Park. Everyone says stay at Woodenfrog or Ash because it’s close to the park but those parks are very primitive. If you do not have a portable shower or don’t mind using a “hole-on-the-ground” toilet then Pine Acres is a great primitive campsite. There are portable potty’s around the campsite, out houses but they also have full functioning bathrooms and showers. There is a train that goes through across the lake but it stops around 10pm so horns aren’t going off while you’re sleeping. Wonderful staff very friendly. My go-to-place when I come back up here.
Guide
Friendly staff. Mostly empty campground. One neighbor was loud all night. ATV noises super loud partying. Not nice. Lake side Campspots have amazing view. The staff was friendly. We Ware a family of 4
Traveler
We stayed at Wildhurst about 20 years ago and had a great time, even got to see an mini-air show overhead with USAF F-16s out of Duluth doing maneuvers overhead. So, when the State Forest campgrounds were closed last spring for storm cleanup, we decided to take a cabin there. Not going back. The new owners are trying; I'll give them that. They're friendly, the little restaurant isn't bad, but the latrines (outhouses) really need to be rebuilt. I mean REALLY. Lime on the toilet seat. Early in the season and the biffys by our cabin were horrible smelling, (And I DO understand that they are open toilets. I was the ranger in a state forest campground for 26 years and had to clean weekly and pump out every year 12 of them.) and if the wind was wrong, we could smell it in our cabin. Cabins were smallish, but comparable to a state park camper cabin, they need updates, paint, roofing, and leveling the floors.
Wildhurst has potential. I wish it was as good as it used to be,
Traveler
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.
Legend
Camped here on Oct 22, 2023. Free primitive national forest campground with 5 sites. Wooded. Campground is suitable for truck campers and smaller. There was a crappy looking RV parked next to the vault toilet; sketchy, looked like long term residents. I did not get a good vibe here but stayed anyway since it was getting late. No drinking water. Fire ring at site. Sites spaced apart okay. Beautiful lake. Nice hiking trail around lake. Fishing is good. Road coming to the campground can be rough in places, but doable with passenger car. The campground itself was nothing special, but camping in the woods along a beautiful lake was appealing.
Guide
Campsite was good size and relatively private in the non electric area. 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.
Legend
There were no problems getting to this state park. We pulled into the dump station just before entering the campground(CG) area to get fresh water. While we were there, a park ranger stopped to check us in, including processing us for a free annual MN state park pass for disabled veterans. We followed the site signage to electric(50/30/20 AMP) only site 110, which was an easy back-in. The site was long enough for our 40’ toy hauler to include putting our back patio down and parking our F-450. We especially liked how ample trees and bushes were separating the sites, and you are well away from your neighbors. The site gave us plenty of space to set up our chairs around a nice fire pit and one fine picnic table. Get water as you come into the CG, as the spigots throughout the park do not have threads. The 300 loop has pull-throughs that will handle large rigs, with 312 being the best. We got 5 bars 4G. on Verizon. We put Starlink on the roof and got a decent signal. There was a nice shower house/restrooms where the park also sold firewood. Formal trail systems are throughout the CG and park, and we enjoyed walking our dogs. We really like the variety of RV sites for all sizes of RVs, but it's too bad the CG area has no water views.
Scout
Campground was well kept, not much noise, lots of spaces that have water access. The bathrooms and showers were neat and clean. Easy to checkin online either on-site or before you get there. Very few bugs of any kind.
LegendTough hike in to the backpack site. But once we arrived we had a beautiful little lake all to ourselves. Didn't pass another person in the 1.5 mile hike in. Quiet, secluded, and relaxing. Site had some log benches and a table if I remember correctly as well as a bear box.
Legend
Stayed in a cabin for some winter glamping! Gonna have to make this a yearly thing for sure! I love this area of the state...and the mine area sure is something else in the winter time after a large snow accumulation. So thankful my friend invited me on this trip! Dagwaagin cabin
LegendPETS ARE ALLOWED IN THE PARK BUT NOT THE CABINS - see below for details.
This part of the state park is very new! These cabins are a fairly new addition and aimed to cater to those that love winter outings but want warmth and electronic lifelines.
We stayed in "Ning" cabin which is an abbreviation of the actual name. All cabins have native Ojibwe names. It was there last on the loop and right next to a short trail. A vault toilet is about 30 feet away.
This campground had wifi throughout the campground and cabins. This let me work while we were there with my computer without issues. It's easy to log into (open your browser and the option will pop up, or search for it in your wifi network options).
Firewood - this is a super cool policy. You can't bring your own wood, but you can pay $10/day for a permit that you hand at your site. They have a "shed" with pre-split wood that's dry and ready for the campfire. You can burn what you need daily and put the rest back before you leave. This is not meant to "burn it all" but it allows you to have a fire, stay warm, have fun and not run out of wood. Great price considering the amount many places charge for a dinky little bundle that lasts about an hour. You also can't take it home, so just be smart about the process and it's a great option for everyone!
The inside of the cabin was wow! Electricity outlets were plenty (in all the bunks - as well as lights in all bunks). Hard floors, a vacuum for when you were done, shelves for gear and food, baseboard heaters, A/C in summer, big windows, ceiling fan, rug to wipe your boots, lots of coathangers.
Outside a small deck and picnic table, food prep station with an outlet - very cool! Fire ring was down a set of stairs near the woods.
Please note: PETS are allowed in the park, but NOT in the cabins and NOT on the deck of the cabin. Pretty steep fees if they find this happening.
Also...you have to bring your own bedding (sleeping bags or sheets/blanket).
Nice perk - there is an indoor showerhouse with bathrooms, hot water and potable drinking water station so you don't have to sacrifice in the winter!
Overall great stay for $90 - quieter than a hotel for sure!
TravelerVery 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.
GuideThis park might be at the top of my list at the moment for MN. Our campsite was spacious, relatively private, and right next to the woods. The campground itself was very nice and the bathroom lodge was immaculate. They have the best firewood policy I’ve seen - $10/day for unlimited wood. All thick cut birch wood. With the campground being so new there are still lots of things they are workin on including adding trail signage. The trail beginning from the 200’s sites down to the lake was leisurely and beautiful with an amazing view of Lake Vermillion in two spots. We watched the sunset from the docks at the boat launch near the campground and it was beautiful. The campground also has wifi which we didn’t use but I tested the speeds on my cell phone out of curiosity and was getting speeds over 200mbps which really shocked me. The next morning we took a stroll around the hiking club loop at the main office and really enjoyed that as well. Overall a very enjoyable experience at a very unique state park. Looking forward to going back
GuideThe view from this campsite was absolutely incredible. It’s right off Blueberry Lake, which is an appropriate name as we found plenty of wild blueberries near our campsite.
The hike to get to this campsite was rough. Trails were very overgrown and there was an unfortunate amount of black flies and mosquitoes. Bug nets, permethrin treated clothing and bug spray were no match for the amount of bugs we encountered.
They do have a bear locker available which is nice as this campsite is very remote. No pit toilet though so be sure to pack a trowel.
If you are looking for a rugged, backpacking adventure then this campsite is for you!
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.
GuideWe 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.
GuideMust reserve on line or by phone. Each spot feels secluded. Bathrooms immaculate and new, flush toilet and shower. Only Electric on site. Lake is not near the campground. Boat launch.
TravelerThere was quite a few other campers here and we were pleasantly surprised how ‘private’ the camping sites are. Don’t get me wrong you can still hear your neighbors and see signs of life but you’re definitely not combat camping here!
Traveler
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.
Traveler
A group of 4 of us planned a fall colors camping trip, hoping to snag a state forest campsite. Unsurprisingly, on a friday afternoon most of those campgrounds are packed during peak fall color. We called around to a few campground, and luckily the owner at Lax Lake said they had a spare tent pad available, not normally reservable. We didn't care, just needed a spot to set up (in the dark now). Were pleasantly surprised to find a fire ring and table, and were offered access to their bathrooms normally for the reserved RV grounds. Great views of the lake and very close to hwy 61 to access all the parks. Paid $22 or so night. Super grateful of the staff to accommodate on short notice!
TravelerHeavily wooded campground, sites are a little close but acceptable.
Scout
A little expensive but worth it for the secluded site not far from the showers. Bar/office super friendly
GuideWe are the only people here in the campground, the locals make us feel welcome. Lots of hiking
GuideI was so impressed by the trails and the lake-it felt very well maintained and also quite private. I can’t wait to stay again!
GuideThe trails were so beautiful and it felt like there were options to explore everywhere. Firewood was about $7/bundle and restrooms were clean. I want to go back and try to fish next time! There’s individual docks for fishing!
GuideWe have enjoyed staying here. Minnesota does a nice job with their state parks. The campsites are varied in types, sizes and layouts. Ours works great for our 26’ travel trailer and truck, and includes electrical. Main restroom has showers. Nice canoeing lake adjacent to the campground. The Taconite State Trail is nearby. Only complaints are campsites are close to each other and only one bar of service on T-Mobile phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Ely, MN is Bear Head Lake State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 39 reviews.
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