Nels Lake is off the Echo Trail north and west of Ely. It is within the Superior National Forest and has an access to the Boundary Water Canoe Area, but the campsites are just outside the official BWCA border. Nels Lake has several backcountry campsites on the lake, all of which ate paddle-in sites, and one you can hike in to. You cant reserve these sites, but you also dont need a BWCA permit nor is there a fee like there is at the official National Forest campgrounds. These campsites are primitive like typical BWCA campsites, there is no picnic table or water pump, but there is a USFS fire grate and a latrine albeit al fresci. We stayed at the himein site, it is very large and private and secluded, with nice lake access for swimmming, paddling, and fishing. You could make this any easy destination weekend campsite, using it a a base for day trips in the area, or stay here one night before launching into a BWCA trip. There are many paddling options nearby, plus also several great hiking trails. We have been here several times and always found this site available so it seems this lovation is not heavily used, all the better for folks who want a secluded BWCA experience with easy access!