I've had three back surgeries and looks like I might be heading for my fourth. As of today, there is no way that I would be able to enter the BWCA if any portaging is involved. We have a permit to put in on May 21 at Clearwater Lake.

My wife and I are considering option B: camping in a USFS campground. I'm looking for opinions as to the smallest and/or quietest campground within the Superior National Forest. We would prefer to go as rustic as we can, so bathrooms and running water and that sort of thing don't matter (though a water spigot would be okay.) More than anything, we want quiet and small, if possible.

Any suggestions?

Mike

An alternative to campgrounds if you are trying to get a bit more of the BWCA feel is to look into the SNF backcountry campsites. These generally resemble BWCA campsites, but are located throughout the forest. Some are accessible by vehicle, other by boat.

Campsites outside of the wilderness on entry lakes may also fit the bill. I know that lakes like Poplar and Snowbank have sites like this. I think the USFS also manages these but at the moment I'm having trouble finding info on them.

Clearwater Lake itself has some nice sites. Why not just use your permit adn paddle to one of those and basecamp. There are lots of portages and access to the BRT for day activities. You could get a drop off from the lodge if paddling far is too painful.

These are all accessed up the Sawbill Trail:

There are small campgrounds at the entries on Kawishiwi Lake and Baker Lake. I would say that Kawishiwi Lake would give you the most paddling-before-portage options. Baker Lake is likely to be less used, but you would need to portage relatively soon to bigger water. People often complain that the Kawishiwi Lake Campground can be full.

Crescent Lake campground is a little larger and on a lake outside the BW.

Temperance River Campground is a smaller campground on the Temperance River abut mid-way up the Sawbill Trail. It is kind of out a ways from the BW though. You would have to drive to get to a navigable lake (Sawbill, Brule, Homer, Kawishiwi, Baker, etc.)

The largest in the area and having the most amenities would be the Sawbill Lake Campground. It can be a rather busy place. There is an outfitter there and a large parking space for the entry point.

Thanks to everybody who has so far offered excellent feedback.

My only hesitation with staying on Clearwater Lake are the Overnight Motors permits. I wonder how many of those campsites will be occupied by OM campers. It's only 10 HP or less on that part of the lake, so maybe that would make a difference?

Mike

Michwall2: "These are all accessed up the Sawbill Trail:


There are small campgrounds at the entries on Kawishiwi Lake and Baker Lake. I would say that Kawishiwi Lake would give you the most paddling-before-portage options. Baker Lake is likely to be less used, but you would need to portage relatively soon to bigger water. People often complain that the Kawishiwi Lake Campground can be full.


Crescent Lake campground is a little larger and on a lake outside the BW.


Temperance River Campground is a smaller campground on the Temperance River abut mid-way up the Sawbill Trail. It is kind of out a ways from the BW though. You would have to drive to get to a navigable lake (Sawbill, Brule, Homer, Kawishiwi, Baker, etc.)


The largest in the area and having the most amenities would be the Sawbill Lake Campground. It can be a rather busy place. There is an outfitter there and a large parking space for the entry point. "

I've camped at Baker Lake and Kawishiwi Lake in the past. Baker Lake is a quieter alternative to Kawishiwi, IMO. It's smaller (four sites at Baker and six at Kawishiwi.) My wife and I stayed at the Kawishiwi USFS campground many years ago before ice out. It was deserted and wonderful. Then I soloed out of Kawishiwi Lake a few years later and there was one wall tent up, complete with windows, electric, exterior framing...and lots of four-wheelers, and stereos. I'm gonna pass on that.

Mike

Sorry about your back problems. Divide Lake, Toohey Lake and Fourmile Lake have very small, rustic camping. Also nearby Silver Island or Windy Lake. I have not camped at any of these but I have visited Divide Lake and Fourmile. I don't remember them being exactly great campsites next to the water but definitely quiet and rustic. I also remember some spots along the drive into Kawishiwi Lake from Isabella.

Iron lake campground is further up the gunflint trail Avon county road 92, which is part of the original gunflint trail. There is just 7 sites, all reservable thru recreation.gov or whatever the place is you get your bwca permit. It does have a building with men/women vault toilet and a few water spigots.

Sorry to hear about your back issues. I hope you can find some way to enjoy the woods and waters this spring.

I checked out the Iron Lake Campground that Mocha is referring to last summer. I just did a quick drive through. It appeared to be remote and quiet. I liked it. My favorite campground off the Gunflint is Two Island Lake Campground. It's closer to Grand Marais, just north of Devil Track Lake.

I've seen a guy on occasion at the parking area for Ed Shave Lake. Probably qualifies as dispersed camping.

Northwoodsman: "I checked out the Iron Lake Campground that Mocha is referring to last summer. I just did a quick drive through. It appeared to be remote and quiet. I liked it. My favorite campground off the Gunflint is Two Island Lake Campground. It's closer to Grand Marais, just north of Devil Track Lake."

This is the one we use when up the Gunflint Trail.

Jeanette Lake Campground is my only experience sites outside BWCAW, and it was very nice. Several walk in sites, remote form the central sites, and maybe 6 remote sites you canoe to.

Whichever one you choose, get on it quick. They fill up

I have stayed at Birch Lake National Campground a few times. Have always been able to get a site and has been quiet. It is primitive with a pump Jack for water. There are several lake level sites where you can paddle from your site. Also there are clear cut site on the road in where you can pick up wood.
South Kawawishi is ok and has some electric site and a water faucet.
Fall Lake has electric sites and showers, but is difficult to get into unless you reserve a site.

Carl

Hogback Lake Rustic Campground. Some canoe-in sites, a good hiking path around the lakes.

All my suggestions have been mentioned above...just want to wish MikeInMps good luck with surgery and camping.

Mike, this doesn't sound good for that trip to Q that you've been thinking about. Sorry to hear that. Hope you find that quiet little home-away-from-home campsite someplace in the northwoods.

Jackfish: "Mike, this doesn't sound good for that trip to Q that you've been thinking about. Sorry to hear that. Hope you find that quiet little home-away-from-home campsite someplace in the northwoods."

No, but I'm planning on a trip to the Q in 2024. I'll keep hope alive.

Mike

This has been on my "to-do" list...

Two Island Lake

East Bearskin has some very rustic cabins that we've stayed in once and liked:

East Bearskin Lake Campground

Sorry to hear about your back, Mike. Wish I had a good suggestion for you, but Kawishiwi Lake, ep 37 is the only non-portage trip I've been on and that was years ago. You can paddle from Kawishiwi to Square if the water level is good. No idea about any beaver dams in the way.

There are actually permits available on 5/21 (2) , 5/22 (4), 5/23 (3) yet.

One other option is to rough camp in the National Forest. I don't believe there are any restrictions on most of the land. You could do this a few minute drive from BWCA entry points and either camp right next to the road or tramp further afield.

We've done this in the past when we wanted an early departure. Camped 1/4 mile from our entry point so we could hit the water early in the morning. We had no water or bathroom facilities on our site, so we just packed some extra water in the cars. In the evening, no cars went by so it felt very secluded. I did some map recon before our trip and found a perfect spot right nearby. I'm sure you could do the same.

We went in at Baker Lake, which wouldn't be the best put-in for you due to nearby portages, but you can find spots near almost any put-in I'd imagine.

Many thanks, everyone, for all the helpful advice. I am so grateful to this board, and feel the camaraderie when we step up to help each other.

This is what we have decided: we will keep our permit for Clearwater Lake and camp in the northeastern region of the lake. From responses here and on the Listening Point forum, the possibility that we will not find the campsite appears low, and 10 hp motors are present but not constant. Regardless, I'm the beggar not the chooser on this one, and if I want any kind of experience that my body can tolerate, this is probably the best option. Additionally, it gives us the opportunity to continue on our trip if I feel up to it...we will just continue our trip form the north end of the lake. Otherwise, we will base camp.

I will be saving all the rustic campground and other information for future reference. I did not know there were so many rustic campgrounds within the Superior National Forest…I am really surprised. They look like great options as we get older. I don't think our BWCA trips are over, but it's good to have a solid Plan B.

Thanks again, everyone!

Mike

A quick google search came up with these.

Campground Camping Areas
Gunflint Ranger District
Cascade River Rustic Campground
Devil Track Lake Campground
East Bearskin Lake Campground
Flour Lake Campground
Iron Lake Campground
Kimball Lake Campground
Trail's End Campground
Two Island Lake Campground
Kawishiwi Ranger District
Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Fall Lake Campground
Fenske Lake Campground
Sand Lake Rustic Campground
South Kawishiwi River Campground
LaCroix Ranger District
Echo Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites
Laurentian Ranger District
Cadotte Lake Campground
Pfeiffer Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Whiteface Reservoir Campground
Tofte Ranger District
Baker Lake Rustic Campground
Clara Lake Rustic Campground
Crescent Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Divide Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground
Fourmile Lk Rustic Campground & Backcountry Sites
Harriet Lake Rustic Campground
Hogback Lake Rustic Campground & Backcountry Sites
Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground
Little Isabella River Campground
McDougal Lake Campground
Ninemile Lake Campground
Poplar River Rustic Campground
Sawbill Lake Campground
Section 29 Lake Rustic Campground
Silver Island Lk Rustic Campgd & Backcountry Sites
Temperance River Campground
Toohey Lake Rustic Campground
White Pine Lake Rustic Campground
Whitefish Lake Rustic Campgd & Timber-Frear Area
Wilson Lake Rustic Campground & Backcountry Sites
link to site

Mike, i don't know what availability would be like but Crescent Lake campground is, in my opinion, a cut above most of the rest of the options. It is a medium sized campground with some amazing sites, some decent sites and a few not so choice but still it is about the lake more than the campsite...maybe? There are 5 or 6 walk in sites and all are really nice too if they are open. Not a far trek down an easy path. Water access on all as I remember.

If you want a BWCA like experience this could be the place. It is one of the most gorgeous lakes I have been on and compares in many ways to South Temperance. Chock full of points and islands and bays and big enough to do some exploring.

Fishing is pretty good, decent walleye fishing, good smallie fishing and lots of very catchable muskies that might just be checking out your stringer of walleyes hanging over the side of the boat.

Totally undeveloped and with some sort of small loop trip available although I don't know much about it. It's a gem and although there may be a few motor boats I have never found them to be a bother.

I paddled by you on Snipe a couple years ago in a remote and pretty spot and sorry I didn't stop. But I believe Crescent can give you a comparably rewarding experience. There are many campground options but few as beautiful and pristine as Crescent. Hope you find a good option for your trip.

Mike
Sorry I did not see that you had already made a decision. Keep this in mind for future trips. It's a great place.

lindylair: "Mike
Sorry I did not see that you had already made a decision. Keep this in mind for future trips. It's a great place. "

I will, and thanks for the advice on Crescent Lake. We drove through the campground once and I remember it being "different" in a way I can't quite describe. Looks like we are together on that.

Maybe we'll run into each other on another lake?

Mike