Best Glamping near Ely, MN

Trail's End Campground is another one our favorite campgrounds. At the end of the Gunflint Trail it is secluded and very peaceful. We've stayed here a number of times. This time we were in Site #14 for the third time. The site is up a slight incline. Up the path from the road there is a nice level area where we put the picnic table but others may use as the tent pad. Up a little more and you have another level area with the fire pit on one edge. The site looks out over the lake and usually gets the breeze quite nicely. There are two slight issues with this site however ....if there are people in site #15 you can see and hear them and it is at the very start of the second loop of the campground so you can hear the traffic coming and going to all the other sites on the loop. These things do tend to take away a bit of the secluded feel. We have gone to this campground with no reservation and always found a spot. And as we have explored the campground over the years we have never found a "bad" spot. However as more people learn about this treasure of a campground and it gains in popularity it is a must to make a reservation if you are hoping for one of the more popular sites during the busy times.

This campground has an outfitters on site for any of your Boundary Waters needs. We have never used them but we have gone to a number of outfitters just a few miles down the trail and they have all been wonderful. There are also a number of hiking options available relatively close by. I would highly recommend hiking to the Magnetic Rock!

September 15-18. Campsite 23 & 22. The leaves have started to change and it dips down so freezing at night. Campsite 23 requires you to park along the road. You can block the entrance to your site with the car for more privacy. A few steps lead to the site. There are some trees that block the road, but not many. The site has a lot of tree coverage on the lake side, but is also on a cliff. Warning for small children and dogs. You can take a small path with in the site to a cliff top to see the view of the lake. There is also a somewhat steep path down to the water front. There is a flat water front at the bottom. A lot of wildlife and beautiful views. There is a table, in-ground fire pit and grate, and there is plenty of space. Multiple options for tent placement. The ground is even and the bathroom is a very short walk along the same road. The water spigot is directly across from this site.

Drive in site with a designated parking spot. Same parking area and walk in trail as site 15 and 16. Last site of three on the small path. Very unique and very large. You can hear your neighbors but there is more coverage between them than the rest. There are a few steep built in steps to get up to this site, but the main area is very flat. Cliff front might not be small kid friendly, but there is a path down to the water. Stunning view. There is good tree coverage to put a tarp up, but also to see the stars. It can get windy, so bring the good tent stakes. The site has plenty of rocks to pound them in place. There is more than one space to put a tent.

We had a bear visit us about 8:30 after we had put the fire out in a very windy night. He has walked up from the water using the area between site 17 and 16. These three sites are near a dumpster, you can hear the lid close occasionally and I assume this was the bears motivation. Keep you food, trash, and grey water taken care of. You will have visitors.

. Drinking water is next to the bathrooms, which is about 300 feet away. This site has a waterfront view of one of the Saganaga Lake coves. You can walk your way down to the water. Might not be little kid friendly, but the water and view are beautiful. This site has a ground inset fire pit with grate and picnic table, but no bear box. You will need a bear bag or put your food in your vehicle. There are bears.

Drive in site with a designated parking spot. Same parking area and walk in trail as site 15 and 17. Second of three on the small path. Very small and no privacy. You can see straight to the main path and hear everyone. There is Medium coverage between site 17 and 15.

Drinking water is next to the bathrooms, which is about 300 feet away. This site has a waterfront view of one of the Saganaga Lake coves. You can walk your way down to the water. Might not be little kid friendly, but the water and view are beautiful. This site has a ground inset fire pit with grate and picnic table, but no bear box. You will need a bear bag or put your food in your vehicle. There are bears.

In trying to add a title to this review the word that came to mind for Dyer's Creek Camp is sufficient. It has water, even in the dry season, it has enough camp spots for a few tents, the fire pit is ample and sturdy... It just lacks that wow factor to give it 5 stars. The water source is good but the creek is just that, a creek. It lacks that gurgling flow that sends you off to sleep. It's also deep in the woods so no views. There are a few sites close to the fire pit and then another one deeper into the site that offers some privacy and easier access to the creek. Those near the fire pit will most likely want to go under the bridge which is just a 60 second walk from the site.

Drive in site with a designated parking spot. Same parking area and walk in trail as site 16 and 17. First site of three on the small path. Good size, but very little privacy. The neighboring site 14, has a few trees between, but you can see through and hear everything.

Drinking water is next to the bathrooms, which is about 300 feet away. This site has a waterfront view of one of the Saganaga Lake coves. You can walk your way down to the water. Might not be little kid friendly, but the water and view are beautiful. This site has a ground inset fire pit with grate and picnic table, but no bear box. You will need a bear bag or put your food in your vehicle. There are bears.

This is one of our go to camp spots. It is a 45 minute drive up from Grand Marais, but worth every mile to get there.
Most sites have a unique layout, and almost all are private! Site #17 is my favorite, by far. It is large, picturesque, and has a path to the water.
Wilderness Way outfitters is at the entrance to the park, and they have a small cafe, shower house, and store. They also offer everything you need to get out in the BWCA and explore. I recommend finding all the hiking trails along the gunflint and making day trip hikes. Trails are of varying challenge, and you'll often find moose.

I have stayed at the Whitefish campground several times. The campground consists of 4-5 free spots next to the lake. The sites include a picnic table and fire ring, no running water, electricity, or sewer hook ups. There is a pit toilet located at the campground. This campground has a carry-in lake access for canoes and small boats, and the lake has good walleye fishing. From this lake you can access portage trails to neighboring lakes like Elbow Lake, which also has good fishing. There are also a few boat-in camp sites located on this lake and neighboring lakes. This campground often fills up quickly. When that happens, I have done dispersed camping in the area. Some of those spots include the gravel pit and a sand pit located along the road before you reach the campground, there’s also areas past the campground, the trail splits and if you stay to the right you should be able to find a spot between Frear Lake and Lost Lake. If you stay to the left the trail will take you to Bone Lake, which is a trout lake. You may be able to find a dispersed spot there. Once you get past this point the trail narrows. These trails are also used by ATVs, but it is fairly rare to see them in the area. While camping in this area you may also spot wildlife, I’ve seen moose, deer, and bald eagles. Also be aware there are wolves and bears in the area, although I’ve never seen them. Phone service in this area is pretty limited. If needed, your best bet would be a stop at the Trestle Inn bar/restaurant located a few miles down the road near the Crooked Lake Resort. The Trestle Inn is also a popular stop for burgers/pizza and a drink.