Join the fun near Superior National Forest. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Superior National Forest is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Minnesota camping adventure.
$28 - $120 / night
"Ranger Review: Brunton Outdoor products at Fall Lake USFS campground in the Superior National Forest, Minnesota
Just got back from over a week in the Superior National Forest, and have reviews of both"
"Camping in October in Northern Minnesota is a great time of year and the fall colors are out of this world! Fall Lake is on the edge of the Boundary Waters and has easy access to it."
$16 - $22 / night
"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."
"The drive off the main highway is a few miles, so you really end up out in the wilderness! We also appreciated that this park doesn’t allow hunting so you know you are safe during that season. "
"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."
"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."
$20 - $162 / night
"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 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."
$20 - $60 / night
"Next time we made sure to snag a site along the lake!"
"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."
$19 - $89 / 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."
$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."
"Some cabins on the lake but very remote.
A great secluded site for a somewhat easy quick getaway. Big enough for a 2/4 tents."
"The kids can run around (and so can the dogs) and no one can really get lost. It was several acres big, covered in tall pines, with little trails all over the place."
"The two short portages to get from the Lake One access weren't too bad and it took us about 3 hours to paddle to a really good campsite. We liked it so much we stayed there for 3 nights."
"If you like primitive wilderness camping but want to be only a short backpack hike away from your car, this campsite is for you!"
GuideCan be a bit loud during the day on the weekends with the OHV vehicles pulling through but quiet at night and incredible views of the lake. Clean. Large spots not stacked on top of each other. Lake offers swimming and a small water park. Great little town nearby (Gilbert) with an amazing Caribbean themed restaurant that features outstanding food and cocktails taking you from the Iron Range of Minnesota to the sunny sandy beaches of the ocean
GuideThis is a campground for small campers only. My 16 foot travel trailer was about the limit for size. Very little access to the lake and river. Overall, this is a primitive site with pit toilets and a pump jack for water.
GuideGreat spot to camp away from everyone. Available spots last minute Labor Day weekend 😎. Thr gravel road is a maintained gravel road. Easy for any type of car.
ScoutI thought the campground itself was nice. It’s on a very busy road tho and I personally thought the sites in the middle were very close together. We also had a group of very rowdy college aged kids across from us that made our stay less enjoyable. If you can bet a site on the outer edge of the campground, it would be great.
TravelerSite number four has a trail that goes straight to the lake so you can take a dip or launch a kayak.
ScoutI am no stranger to this campground as my family has been coming here for generations. This place is wonderful for those who like a little bit more of a rustic campsite. Vaulted toilets and drinking water, there is a small playground, swimming beach and fishing pier along with a boat landing. There is also sites at the beach for daytime use. Its a small lake so recreational boating is a little hard but there are larger lakes nearby for that sort of fun.
New camp host and excellent work on the grounds. It looks fantastic. A lot of care has been going into bringing this campground back to it's former glory.
TravelerWe have a 40’ 5th wheel, so decides not to stay in the “formal” campground. There is an open spot near the lake where we set up for the night. The road to drive in is gravel but very smooth.
ScoutWe stayed here for 3 nights, 4 days and while the location is great, the camping was awful. The spots are one on top of each other, so much so that we spent our nights inside the RV because we were so on top of our neighbors. We could hear EVERYTHING, even when in our trailer and our neighbors were in theirs. Very clean facility, but not worth the price and unfortunate setup.
LegendHuge site with many trees for our hammocks. The mosquitoes were ravenous but we had a screen tent. The toilets were really clean. It was a delight to have a beach right at our site. This campground is off the beaten path so was extra dark and quiet.
Camping near Superior National Forest, Minnesota, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Camping near Superior National Forest, Minnesota, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you’re sure to have a memorable experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Superior National Forest?
Superior National Forest offers a diverse range of campgrounds across its vast wilderness. Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest serves as a popular entry point to the Boundary Waters. Ninemile Lake Campground provides over 20 campsites and remains a hidden gem in the forest. Other options include Little Isabella River Campground with a dozen sites including an ATV camping area, South Kawishiwi River Recreation Area near Ely, and Fall Lake Campground. The forest also features backcountry sites at Nels Lake, accessible via the Echo Trail north of Ely, and lakeside sites at Lake Vermilion. Many campgrounds offer amenities like vault toilets, picnic tables, and boat launches, with some providing water access.
Are there rustic camping options in Superior National Forest?
Toohey Lake Rustic Campground offers a quintessential rustic experience deep in the forest. This free, quiet campground features seven sites with pull-in areas, tent pads, picnic tables, a vault toilet, and a boat launch. Many sites have lake views or access. For backpackers seeking primitive wilderness experiences, Superior Forest Blackstone Lake Backpack Campsite offers two lakeside sites accessible via a short hike from your vehicle. Nels Lake provides several backcountry paddle-in sites just outside the official BWCA border. These rustic options typically lack running water or electrical hookups, perfect for those looking to escape crowds and experience the forest's natural beauty.
Can you rent cabins in Superior National Forest?
While Superior National Forest itself has limited cabin rental options within forest-managed properties, there are private accommodations near or within forest boundaries. Headquarters RV Park in Buyck (near Orr) is a family-owned property on 30 acres of pines that may offer cabin accommodations. Silver Rapids Lodge near Ely provides lodge-style accommodations for visitors. Additionally, numerous resorts and private cabin rentals are available along the edges of the forest, particularly near popular areas like Ely, Grand Marais, and around Lake Vermilion. For those seeking a true forest experience with some amenities, these options provide a comfortable base for exploring the Superior National Forest.
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