Fishing, paddling, and wildlife watching drive most visits to Lake Jeanette Campground, a small National Forest site on the shores of Jeanette Lake in northeastern Minnesota's campgrounds near Superior National Forest. A boat launch sits at the campground entrance, and several sites, including 5, 6, 8, and 9, have direct water access where campers can pull a kayak or canoe right up to their site. Loons and ducks are a consistent presence at dusk and dawn. The campground has a long history in this area, with remnants of a former CCC camp still visible if you look for them.
Site layout varies considerably, which matters when choosing where to book. Sites 6 and 7 each have two distinct areas, with a lower parking and fire ring section and an upper area that opens onto rock outcroppings with views over the lake. Site 7 has the widest sightlines across the water but no direct shoreline access. Sites are close together in places, though mature trees and dense vegetation between them provide reasonable separation. Timber Wolf Point Resort & Campground to the west offers a fuller-service alternative for those who want more amenities.
Facilities are basic. Vault toilets and solar-powered drinking water are on-site, and the campground accommodates RVs up to 35 feet with water hookups available. "A forest campground," as one reviewer put it, describes the setup well. The campground runs from early May through mid-October, and some sites are reservable while others operate first-come, first-served. Booking ahead for sites 5 through 7 is advisable during summer weekends.
Description
Overview
Jeanette Lake Campground is a small, single-loop campground on a peninsula reaching out onto the glacier-carved Lake Jeanette in Superior National Forest. Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, this sweet, picturesque campground is well worth the drive. The facility provides sites that are usually accessible to RVs and tent trailers along with tent-only and hike-in sites. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of three million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Recreation
The winding shoreline and islands make the 638-acre Lake Jeanette a great place to explore in a canoe or kayak. Fishing opportunities include walleye, northern pike and perch. The campground provides access to the Astrid Lake Hiking Trail for those who want to stretch their legs. The surrounding national forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking in secluded woodlands and canoeing in pristine lakes and rivers. View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Facilities
There are 12 sites total with six reservable standard sites, 4 First Come First Serve standard sites, and two First Come First Serve tent-only sites.Most sites have a view of the lake and some are located on the lakeshore. The campsites are close together providing fair privacy, except for walk-in sites which enjoy excellent privacy. The walk-in tent sites have an additional backcountry latrine nearby (campers may want to bring toilet paper). Lake Jeanette also has six dispersed backcountry sites that are first-come, first-served and accessible only by boat.
Natural Features
Lake Jeanette is not the largest or most isolated lake in the national forest, but it feels like it is both. Created long ago by a massive glacier, this lake is considered by many to be a special location. The campground is wooded with a pleasant mix of hardwoods, pine and spruce providing shade for most sites. The understory of fern, wildflowers and grass is kept under control by mowing, giving the campground a manicured appearance. Glacial "erratics" (massive boulders) left behind by the receding glacier give the campground character and a place for moss to grow.
Nearby Attractions
Possible day trips from the campground include Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake and Vermillion Falls. 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 and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Additional sites of interest
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
CLOSURE: Superior National Forest is temporarily closing public access to this campground through Monday, August 10, 2026. Several fires remain active and uncontained, and firefighters continue suppression efforts throughout the Superior National Forest and BWCAW. For the latest alerts, visit:www.fs.usda.gov/superior and facebook.com/SuperiorNF/
CLOSURE: Superior National Forest is temporarily closing public access to this campground through Thursday, August 6, 2026 , after a surge of wildfires across the forest and unusually hot, dry, and windy weather is causing fires to spread fast and unpredictably. For the latest alerts, check www.fs.usda.gov/superior and facebook.com/SuperiorNF/
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites is located in Minnesota near Crane Lake
Directions
From Orr, Minnesota, take St. Louis County Road 23 for 16 miles to Buyck. At Buyck, County Road 23 turns into County Road 24. Continue on County Road 24 for 8 miles to the Echo Trail. Turn right onto the Echo Trail and continue 12 miles to Jeannette Lake Campground.
Address
LACROIX RANGER DISTRICT
JEANETTE LAKE CAMPGROUND
320 N. HIGHWAY 53,
Cook,, MN 55723
Coordinates
48.1322222 N
92.2958333 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 52 min from Duluth, MN
- 4 hrs 36 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 4 hrs 50 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 5 hrs 10 min from Grand Forks, ND
