South Kawishiwi River

FS USDA Forest Service · ELY, MN · Developed

Conditions

Road Access Gravel
Driveway Surface Gravel
Season Open Year Round
Campfires Campfires Allowed
Max RV Length 107 ft

Features

Rig Size Back In Only
Hookup Electric Hookup 50 amp
Style Potable Water Vault Toilet Reservable

Campground Stats

Total Sites33
Sites Accepting RVs32
Group Sites1
Overnight Sites32
Max RV Length107 ft
Max Amps50
Electric Hookup Sites25
Back-In Sites32
SurfaceGravel

Location

47.8155556, -91.7313889 · KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT , ELY , MN 55731

Photos

Description

Overview

South Kawishiwi River Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 10 miles from Ely, Minnesota. It offers fishing, boating and other recreational activities in a relaxing outdoor setting. The campground has sites with and without electric hookups, as well as one group day use area great for family picnics, birthday parties and other gatherings of up to 35 people.

Recreation

Canoeing is a main attraction. The Kawishiwi River provides access to Birch Lake to the south and the Boundary Waters to the north. When traveling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildnerness, a permit is required.



Canoe rentals are available by contacting the host.


Closer to shore, visitors can enjoy an afternoon of swimming at the campground's grassy beach, hiking the 1-mile Kawishiwi River Forest Trail or trying their luck at fishing for northern pike, perch and walleye. A boat ramp is located on-site.



View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.

Facilities

The campground offers individual campsites and one group picnic area that can be reserved for day use. Sites are spacious, private, well-maintained and shaded. Visitors will find vault toilets, drinking water and trash bins within the facility. Firewood is available for purchase.

Natural Features

The scenic Kawishiwi River boasts clear, cold and calm waters lined with boreal forest and wetland ecosystems. Wildlife abounds in Superior National Forest, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. The campground lies in a mixed aspen, birch and conifer forest.

Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, is comprised of 3-million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963.

Nearby Attractions

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.

Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over 1-million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extends nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Additional sites of interest

Directions

From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.

Activities

BIKING BOATING CAMPING FISHING HIKING HUNTING SWIMMING SITE WILDLIFE VIEWING

Details

PhoneKAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT: 218-365-7600, CONCESSIONAIRE (SUMMER): 218-365-2963
ADA AccessN
ReservableYes

Nearby Campgrounds

Birch Lake Campground 4.7 mi · FS · 32 sites
Fall Lake 9.5 mi · FS · 66 sites
Fenske Lake Campground 15.0 mi · FS · 16 sites
McDougal Lake Campground 15.1 mi · FS · 21 sites
Little Isabella River Campground 18.3 mi · FS · 11 sites
Cadotte Lake 31.3 mi · FS · 29 sites
Jeanette Lake 34.1 mi · FS · 14 sites