Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: USFS campground
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geotramper |
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. |
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mkdixon |
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Michwall2 |
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. |
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Traveler |
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Blatz |
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MikeinMpls |
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 |
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Minnesotian |
Hogback Lake Rustic Campground. Some canoe-in sites, a good hiking path around the lakes. |
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MikeinMpls |
Michwall2: "These are all accessed up the Sawbill Trail: 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 |
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bobbernumber3 |
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Mocha |
Sorry to hear about your back issues. I hope you can find some way to enjoy the woods and waters this spring. |
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MikeinMpls |
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 |
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Northwoodsman |
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straighthairedcurly |
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. |
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billconner |
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RedLakePaddler |
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 |
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Jackfish |
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YetiJedi |
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MikeinMpls |
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 |
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lindylair |
Sorry I did not see that you had already made a decision. Keep this in mind for future trips. It's a great place. |
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DukeC |
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 |
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lindylair |
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. |
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bobbernumber3 |
Two Island Lake |
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gravelroad |
East Bearskin Lake Campground |
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MikeinMpls |
lindylair: "Mike 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 |
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MikeinMpls |
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 |
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GeneH |
There are actually permits available on 5/21 (2) , 5/22 (4), 5/23 (3) yet. |
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Chuckles |
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. |