Searching for a dispersed campsite near Silver Bay? Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Wide open field type area that has a fire ring, but no amenities at all. A vault toilet is about 300 yards away at the BWCA Lake Isabella entry point. Ample space for a group, nice seclusion from the road. Easy access for tents and RVS since it's a wide open, flat space.
Guide
This spot was easy to get to with our truck camper. Road is alittle bumpy and rocky on the way up. The spot is near Carlton peak trail head and not to far from superior hiking trail. At this spot you can see views of superior lake and the lusten mountains. We went in October and it was quiet and secluded.
Guide
This area is definitely off the beaten path. Super skinny road with lots of rocks/hills and puddles coming in. I would recommend a car with 4WD for it and would not suggest pulling a camper unless you have experience bringing it over rough terrain. The sites themselves appeared to not be visited often. I went in early August and a lot of the places were over grown with plants! It was nice to be right by the north shore but in a spot that felt very much secluded. There was also no bugs here which was amazing! Great spot to hang out by a campfire without getting swarmed. You’ll be able to find plenty of wood from the nearby trees for a fire as well.
Scout
Easy to access, trails are all obvious, and near a water supply. We decided to go off the cuff, and the only thing we weren’t ready for was the damn mosquitos! Will be bringing repellent next time. BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
RangerThis spot is pretty well hidden in the woods with a tight trail in. There are a few spots you could camp with stone firepits. Didn't look to be visited often, but I came in winter. There are low sites, and if you have 4x4, you can drive up to another plateau of sites. There's plenty of wood, but depending on location, you'll have to walk for it.
TravelerBeautiful! Absolutely dispersed, we went all the way down the gravel road 5 miles in by SUV to the landing. Couple spots where you could clearly tell people were here before. (garbage, but we picked up as we came across) no one else out there but us! Couple fire pits already built. No bugs! Lots of wildlife for sure. But a pack of yoties or wolves was making our dog very alert they ran right next to us when we had our fire going. We had to pack up and take off they were not scared of the car horn or anything. Our dog wouldn’t sleep so had to take off. Otherwise definitely going back again!
ScoutNo marked sites or mowing/trimming done that we could find. There's a shooting range that is not marked as such and we didn't realize that's what it was until we had already camped. Easy to find if out of the way quite a bit. Very quiet.
TravelerUpon reaching the end of the trail, there is a small dirt road that leads to a public Canoe/Kayak launch. No amenities, but you can filter your water. Surrounded by woods, so there is no shortage of wood for a campfire. Service is a measly 2 bars through ATT. Overall, a lovely hidden gem if you pack accordingly. Recovery gear would be beneficial.
Legend
If you’re a serious boater who loves a good challenge with the goal of spending buggy days in the thickets of the woods along Lake Superior, this private boat-in site has been tailored for you. Perhaps early spring or late fall would be an ideal time to visit this location, either way, the landscape is stunning, no one else around. Bring your bug nets, spray, bear rope, you’ve joined nature.
Legend
If you like wilderness, rustic, resourcing wood for fires and pure relaxation in the woods, here’s the place for you to add to your trip. No where you’d find on the main searches, it’s a place to respect.
LegendThis is an established dispersed site - there is a massive fire ring, but it's 100% primitive. There is a vault toilet about 300 yards away at the BWCA Lake Isabella entry point, so easy to drive to.
This site is fairly large and would easily accommodate any number of people We were in a group of 4 with 3 dogs, and there was more than enough room. There were a few trees for hammocks, decent shaded areas under pines for a few folks, but if you had more than a few tents/trailers, you'd be dropping camp in the sun. There is no potable water, so make sure to bring plenty. It's a long way back to a town to get more if you need it. We brought a 5 gallon jug with us and that worked for 2 days.
The site is set about 100 or more yards off the road, so it's pretty well secluded from traffic and it feels very private. Except for the grouse and birds and squirrels.
This site has a massive fire ring that has been built from rocks, but it's really far too big to be usable for a reasonable sized fire. Seems like someone might have built it for a ginormous bonfire when lots of people were here. We built a smaller fire to one side, but it was a bit of an odd situation to get 4 people around a warm fire when you could only really use part of it.
Lake Isabella entry point for the BWCA is by the vault bathroom, so you could easily boat in, get out and get to this camp with a fairly easy portage. About a 1/4 mile from the lake to the parking area and 300-ish yards to the campsite.
Lots of hunters this time of year (fall - October) so wear blaze orange is my recommendation. We heard shots fired for bird hunting, so just be aware it's allowed in this area (with a license) this time of year.
Legend
If you like primitive wilderness camping but want to be only a short backpack hike away from your car, this campsite is for you! There are actually two campsites at this location, offset from each other on the lakeshore but close enough for a group to spread out into. This is a backcountry camping exprience on Blackstone Lake, of the Fernburg Trail east of Ely in the Superior National Forest. The trail access is near the Moose Lake entrance to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness. You park your car, then have about a half mile hike in to the campsite. Once you are set up, you have an amzing pristine lake to gaze at or swim in, or paddle on if you portage in a canoe or kayak! Then, you have a maze of hiking trails to hike from the campsite, over rugged roky terrain and to some of the most breathtaking vistas in the area! If you are a rock climber, the cliffs at Ennis Lake are sought after by rock climbers all over the region who are up for the challenging hike in before even tackling the cliffs. Wildlife abounds, pristine wilderness beauty, an amazing opportunity! We came in the third week of June, and experienced no ticks, no bugs, which was blissful!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Silver Bay, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Silver Bay, MN is Lake Superior Overlook at Northshore Park with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Silver Bay, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Silver Bay, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
