Campsite for booking · Ely

South Kawishiwi River

via Recreation.gov Ely, MN, Ely, Minnesota, United States

Overview

Pitches
31
Pitch types
caravan, motorhome, tent
Season
Not stated: check on Recreation.gov
Check-in / out
15:00 / 12:00

Facilities

  • Dogs allowedListed by Recreation.gov
  • Electric hook-upListed by Recreation.gov
  • Hardstanding pitchesListed by Recreation.gov

Policies

PetsYes
SmokingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
Instant bookingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
CancellationNot stated: check on Recreation.gov

About this campsite

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

Managed by a US federal agency. Data source: ridb.recreation.gov.

Description supplied by Recreation.gov.

Where you can stay nearby

Campsites, aires and parking within 30 km, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. South Kawishiwi Campground
    Campsite · Ely, Minnesota
    40 m from the pick-up area
  2. Birch Lake Campgound
    Campsite · Babbitt, MinnesotaWaterToilets
    7.4 km from the pick-up area
  3. Campsite near Ely
    Campsite · Ely, Minnesota
    7.9 km from the pick-up area
  4. Cliff Wold's Campground
    Campsite · Ely, Minnesota
    13 km from the pick-up area
  5. Fall Lake Campground
    Campsite · Ely, Minnesota · Paid
    15 km from the pick-up area
  6. Campsite near Ely
    Campsite · Ely, Minnesota
    24 km from the pick-up area

Nearest dump station and water

  1. Service point near Babbitt
    Service point · Babbitt, MinnesotaWaste
    26 km from the pick-up area
  2. Water point near Babbitt
    Water point · Babbitt, MinnesotaWater
    26 km from the pick-up area
Pick-up10 kmPlot of OpenStreetMap data
Map of 6 places to stay near South Kawishiwi River. CampsiteFull map

Similar campsites nearby

Birch Lake Campground

Ely, MN, Minnesota · 7.6 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Fall Lake

Ely, MN, Minnesota · 15 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Electric hook-up
  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Fenske Lake Campground

Ely, MN, Minnesota · 24 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

McDougal Lake Campground

Isabella, MN, Minnesota · 24 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
from $18 / night

Data: Recreation.gov (RIDB), from ridb.recreation.gov, last updated 13 October 2026. Federal agencies provide this data and are responsible for it; it may be incomplete. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or the U.S. Government. About this data. Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Price on Recreation.gov's site
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