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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum

Winter Camping and Activities

Spot around Ely to hot tent

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Date/Time: 07/16/2025 09:57AM

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Spot around Ely to hot tent

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<quote>paddlefamily: "<quote>WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Hi all,

I have a relatively new to me hot tent setup (just a converted insulated ice fishing tent) that I want to try around Ely this weekend. I don't think ice is quite safe enough yet although maybe by the end of the week it might be, just figure I would try it on land first. I have set the tent up and fired up the stove in my backyard but never slept in it so figured the colder temps up there might be a good test.

I have a decent vehicle but the tires are not great so I'm not sure how good of an idea it would be to tromp down un-plowed forest roads with the snow it sounds like is coming there. Any recommendations for where to give this a try with plowed roads so I could "car camp" with the hot tent and not see many people? I know this is kind of a specific ask so no worries if there aren't thoughts, I will find somewhere. Thanks!"</quote>

Bear Head Lake State Park is open to winter camping. Shower and flush toilet facilities are closed for the season. You can find drinking water and vault toilets throughout the park. Flush toilets are available at the Trail Center year-round. Water is off at the trailer dump station. Firewood is available for purchase. I haven't been there in a while, so you may want to bring in some water just in case."</quote>

Previous Messages:
Author	Message Text
Minnesotian	12/11/2024 02:26PM AlexanderSupertramp: "Minnesotian: " As far as I know, the State Park system doesn't allow for foraging of wood to burn even at the remote, hike-in sites. If I am doing car camping winter tenting, then I will purchase wood. So, that is why I like to go to state forest land in order to be allowed to gather firewood. " Not totally true. They allow firewood collection at George Crosby Manitou backcountry sites. With that said, you could probably never get a toboggan or pulk into any of those sites except for maybe one or two of them, simply because of the extreme terrain. But you could backpack in with a hot tent and burn all the downed wood you please!" That's right, you are correct on George Crosby. I have winter camped there as well, having set up around the lake and not hiked into the river portion. Did some spake icefishing there too.
AlexanderSupertramp	12/11/2024 01:27PM Minnesotian: " As far as I know, the State Park system doesn't allow for foraging of wood to burn even at the remote, hike-in sites. If I am doing car camping winter tenting, then I will purchase wood. So, that is why I like to go to state forest land in order to be allowed to gather firewood. " Not totally true. They allow firewood collection at George Crosby Manitou backcountry sites. With that said, you could probably never get a toboggan or pulk into any of those sites except for maybe one or two of them, simply because of the extreme terrain. But you could backpack in with a hot tent and burn all the downed wood you please!
WanderingWoodsmanMN	12/11/2024 01:05PM Yeah, I should have clarified that I am looking for a spot on state/national forest land that is a little more off the beaten path where I can cut or bring my own wood. I will drive through Bear Head though to check it out in winter and maybe get some snowshoeing in! Have driven through there in summer and it looked pretty nice.
Minnesotian	12/11/2024 12:18PM Having done Bear Head Lake State Park for winter camping, it is quite nice. My buddy and I stayed at a hike-in site by crossing the ice. However, if you have a wood stove for inside the tent, you have to purchase all the firewood from the park or have documentation your firewood isn't from a long distance away to mitigate spread of pests. As far as I know, the State Park system doesn't allow for foraging of wood to burn even at the remote, hike-in sites. If I am doing car camping winter tenting, then I will purchase wood. So, that is why I like to go to state forest land in order to be allowed to gather firewood.
SevenofNine	12/11/2024 08:52AM I second the idea. You can hike to some lakes to if you have a sled to put everything. Check out the reserve system for the back country camping sites.
paddlefamily	12/11/2024 05:24AM WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Hi all, I have a relatively new to me hot tent setup (just a converted insulated ice fishing tent) that I want to try around Ely this weekend. I don't think ice is quite safe enough yet although maybe by the end of the week it might be, just figure I would try it on land first. I have set the tent up and fired up the stove in my backyard but never slept in it so figured the colder temps up there might be a good test. I have a decent vehicle but the tires are not great so I'm not sure how good of an idea it would be to tromp down un-plowed forest roads with the snow it sounds like is coming there. Any recommendations for where to give this a try with plowed roads so I could "car camp" with the hot tent and not see many people? I know this is kind of a specific ask so no worries if there aren't thoughts, I will find somewhere. Thanks!" Bear Head Lake State Park is open to winter camping. Shower and flush toilet facilities are closed for the season. You can find drinking water and vault toilets throughout the park. Flush toilets are available at the Trail Center year-round. Water is off at the trailer dump station. Firewood is available for purchase. I haven't been there in a while, so you may want to bring in some water just in case.
WanderingWoodsmanMN	12/10/2024 08:39PM Hi all, I have a relatively new to me hot tent setup (just a converted insulated ice fishing tent) that I want to try around Ely this weekend. I don't think ice is quite safe enough yet although maybe by the end of the week it might be, just figure I would try it on land first. I have set the tent up and fired up the stove in my backyard but never slept in it so figured the colder temps up there might be a good test. I have a decent vehicle but the tires are not great so I'm not sure how good of an idea it would be to tromp down un-plowed forest roads with the snow it sounds like is coming there. Any recommendations for where to give this a try with plowed roads so I could "car camp" with the hot tent and not see many people? I know this is kind of a specific ask so no worries if there aren't thoughts, I will find somewhere. Thanks!