Could anyone advise on the three four-star campsites there regarding the number of tent sites? There are four other campsites up there that are not rated. Any information on these sites? Are the two campsites on Kelso Lake just so-so? Any of those sites can take 3 tents? Thanks so much!!

The island campsite (916) on Sawbill is very nice. My wife and I stayed there a few years ago during a fall trip. It will definitely hold multiple tents.

Site 2052 (first site in the bay to the Alton portage) is decent and will also hold multiple tents but I do not think it is as nice as the island site. It doesn't have the awesome views of the other one. The only reason we stayed there is because it was an Oct. day w/ temps in low 30's, strong winds, and rain/sleet/snow and we didn't feel safe paddling any further. It was the same day that a couple died of hypothermia when their canoe capsized on Alton. It's so close to the landing and campground that you can see where it is from the Sawbill dock.

Thanks, Duck! I have been on Alton and recall this drowning incident several years ago. Yes, Alton, from first hand experience, can be a treacherous lake to paddle. Do you or anyone reading this know about the two Sawbill campsites in the bay the Kelso River pours into?

I stayed at the one at the end of the bay (876) one year and it is decent but small. We had 1 tent and there was maybe a spot for 1 more. A big positive is that it's quiet back there in the dead end. We checked out the 1st one (875) and decided not to stay. It has a fairly big open area but it's full of big boulders and you have to watch your step everywhere you walk. There is no walking in a straight line. If I remember correctly (it was about 6/7 years ago) the only 2 places that looked like you could put a tent also looked like they would get run off water if it rained.

I think it would be tough to find spots for 3 tents in either of those sites.

Stayed on 913 a couple years ago. It's in the narrow bit of the lake, just before the lake opens up to the east. The campsite is fairly open with room for at least 3 tents.

The rock ledge on the west hides most of the site from the passing canoes.

The camp sites on Kelso are just so-so. OK if you can't get anything else. Of the two Sawbill sites in the bay near the portage to Kelso, the furthest one is nice but small, maybe two tent sites. The one closer to the entrance to the bay is iffy. Not much of a landing, mostly a big boulder to land on. Looked at the landing and left. Have never stopped at the two in the bay for the Alton portage. They seem to be popular. Always see people in them.

Thanks, I was looking at 913, rated four star.

Stayed at 912 for two nights last month (June 17-19). Was very nice. It was the last of the 4 star sites available when we paddled in on a Saturday morning. I think you could get three tents here, two in the main area and one more to the north of the campsite in the woods a little bit. There's another spot to the east (towards the latrine) but it's on a big rock and uneven.