BWCA Night Before - Fenske Lake Campground Boundary Waters Trip Planning Forum
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03/28/2017 07:39AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
So I used to stay in hotels or resorts the night before, or a couple insane times I drove up the morning of (from Minneapolis), and more recently I've been staying in VNO's bunkhouse. But somebody mentioned camping the night before, and I've driven by the Fenske Lake campground many times on my way in to my Echo Trail entries. So, how about it? How would it stack up as a base to get an early start at EP 16? Is it a decent campground? Also, since we come from Minneapolis we usually show up pretty much ready to go, but there's always a few last-minute things - what about last-minute gear checks and stuff from a campsite instead of a bunkhouse?
 
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eroom
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03/28/2017 08:04AM  
I've driven through that campground a few time, but I have never stayed there. It's a no frills campground that would be an economical alternative to lodging in town. Google Street View drives part way through the loop and may give you an idea of what it is like.

Google Street View
03/28/2017 08:04AM  
I've done Fenske the night before EP 16 and it was nice. I usually pick up the permit in the afternoon and hit the outfitters for any last minute items (always seem to forget sonething) and then I have a nice big dinner somewhere so I dont have to get the cook kit out at the campsite. I usually want to be up and out at first light so I bring an extra tent and sleeping bag so I can just quickly clean up and toss that stuff in the truck without having to repack a tent and bag into my granite gear pack. This has worked out well in the past. I've never done a bunkhouse the night prior, but at the campsite there is plenty of room to sort and complete last second gear checks. The only problem you could encounter is daylight issues if you're getting there later in the day. I woke up, quickly threw my tent and spare bag into the truck, ate breakfast (Clif bar and bananas) and hit the road for EP 16. I was on the water by 7:15 and in Boulder Bay by 2:30 so it was perfect. Not sure what the bunkhouse prices are, but it's pretty tough to beat the Fenske campground price. I'd do it again for Echo Trail entries. Hope this helps.
03/28/2017 08:22AM  
Stayed there with 2 large scout groups a few yrs ago. The sites were big enough for us with picnic tables and fire rings. There was plenty of room between sites to feel secluded. Never made it to the lake. Facilities were clean and functional. Would stay there again.
03/28/2017 12:39PM  
I stayed here twice with my family. Once just to base camp there when the kids were much younger and the second time to get an early start into 16. It's a nice, rustic, quiet forest service campground with the Fenske cabins just across the lake.
Grandma L
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03/28/2017 12:46PM  
As the guys have said, good option.

When we camp the night before - we bring seperate tents, sleeping stuff and gear so we can be packed for the trip and not have to open packs and repack - especially if you get rain or a heavy dew. I hate starting a trip with wet tents and gear.
Thisismatthew
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03/28/2017 01:01PM  
We stay there whenever we enter EP 14, 16, or 19. Never really seen it in the light as we usually pull in around 10 PM and leave it before the sun rises. But it gets the job done and we always enjoy our night at Fenske before entering. Great spot to have a fire and a few beers while doing last minute checks on gear and relaxing with friends.
03/28/2017 01:01PM  
Sweet, I was thinking I'd bring a base-camping tent and sleeping bags so I wouldn't have to repack those items in the morning, sounds like I'm on track with those ideas. Think I'll do it. Thanks all!
TrekScouter
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03/28/2017 06:40PM  
Be sure to leave your base camping tent loose when you toss in your vehicle. Otherwise, you could come back to a moldy tent. Also, the tent pads were coarse gravel when I stayed at Fall Lake. I wasn't too happy setting my brand new tent down on that. Next time I'll bring a blue plastic tarp.
03/28/2017 07:44PM  
Fenske is a nice campground. A few of the sites are really special. They can be reserved online. The water from the well is fantastic.
scotttimm
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03/03/2019 05:03PM  
AmarilloJim: "Stayed there with 2 large scout groups a few yrs ago. The sites were big enough for us with picnic tables and fire rings. There was plenty of room between sites to feel secluded. Never made it to the lake. Facilities were clean and functional. Would stay there again."


Hey AmarilloJim or others on here - I'm planning that great trip this summer - considering staying here the night before entry at EP 16 but we are exiting from Mudro, so we would need to shuttle a vehicle (or pay for a shuttle)...anyone know how long is the drive from Fenske Lake Campground to EP 16? Anyone know which campsites are best at the campground?
Cheers!
03/03/2019 05:37PM  
In Sept 2018 we stayed a site #11 at Fenske, it's very nice... though there are quite a few other nice sites too.
billconner
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03/03/2019 06:13PM  
We stayed at Jeannette Lake campground once for EP 14. Very adequate. I think less popular than Fenske. Head up to Orr and across Echo Trail.

Still a fan of entering in afternoon instead of lodging the night before entry,
03/03/2019 06:46PM  
ghamer: "In Sept 2018 we stayed a site #11 at Fenske, it's very nice... though there are quite a few other nice sites too. "

Yeah, I think the better question is, "what are the least desirable sites?" I've stayed there a few times and always had a nice site.
03/03/2019 07:46PM  
We almost always camp a night before heading in and not always because of time constraints - that's just how we like to do it. Fenske is a very nice campground and convenient to Ely but there are a few others in the area too: Fall lake, South Kawishiwi and Birch Lake. If we are heading in via the Gunflint or the Sawbill Trail we do the same, there are lots of decent campgrounds to stay in. The best one was prior to our Baker lake entry we stayed at the Baker lake rustic campground. it was a very nice campground, FREE and a 30 second drive to our put in. Doesn't get any better than that.

I think that it is a great way to transition into a BWCA trip. You hear a lot how it takes a couple days for many to "get into the rhythm" on a BWCA trip. I think a night of camping before your trip in a secluded spot near your entry speeds that process up.
03/04/2019 02:36PM  
I have made a habit of staying at Fenske the night before a trip. In fact, I like to get there a day before my cousin and just take it easy and get a good night sleep. My cousin has mentioned that I have more energy and the first day goes a lot better this way. I use to drive up the night before, sleeping a couple hours in the car in Duluth, but staying at the campground is really nice and not too far from town. Highly recommend! Do like the Idea of having backup tent and back pack so I can be ready to go.
Bushpilot
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03/04/2019 05:31PM  
Fenske is a nice campground. I doesn't look like it did 2 years ago. A wind storm went through the area July 2017 and took down almost all of the old pines. Still a great place to spend the night but those familiar with Fenske won't recognize it.
scotttimm
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03/05/2019 08:10AM  
Thanks - does anyone know approximate driving time from Fenske/Mudro to EP 16?
Bushpilot
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03/05/2019 08:24AM  
10 -15 minutes
03/05/2019 08:24AM  
Bushpilot: "Fenske is a nice campground. I doesn't look like it did 2 years ago. A wind storm went through the area July 2017 and took down almost all of the old pines. Still a great place to spend the night but those familiar with Fenske won't recognize it."


Not real attractive as a result of the storm... fine for an overnight before a trip.
03/05/2019 10:04AM  
bobbernumber3: "
Bushpilot: "Fenske is a nice campground. I doesn't look like it did 2 years ago. A wind storm went through the area July 2017 and took down almost all of the old pines. Still a great place to spend the night but those familiar with Fenske won't recognize it."



Not real attractive as a result of the storm... fine for an overnight before a trip."


The storm took a number of trees (especially around site 7) but the big difference is due to the "fuels reduction" program that removed most of the balsam thickets and opened up the understory of the forest. It's a drastic change- you can see from one site to another and peer into the surrounding woods. Probably makes for a healthier forest but a bit of a shock initially.
 
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