Ok, my youngest son isn't a planner. Flies by the seat of his pants. Came to me Thursday evening looking for advice on camping "near" the BWCA. Might even daytrip in. I talked about Baker, Flour, Sawmill, Crescent. He just said between Ely and Grand Marais. My question is: if he is driving up late Saturday, where is he more likely to find a site at a very late hour? Primitive is ok.

Thanks. Pete

Sawbill is fairly large, should be possible. Two Island Lake, closer to Grand Marais, off The Grade is a beautiful lake also. Not real well known.

superior national forest The map is a good place to start to find free primitive and back-country sites.

Pete, along the same source thaliko posted just deeper is this link to printable recreation guides and maps for the Superior National Forest, Printable Recreation Opportunity Guides

butthead

There is also an interactive map buried on that website.

If I were him I would drive a route with the highest concentration of campsites. For instance, Hogback, Harriet, Wilson, Whitefish, Fourmile, and Toohey are all within 15 miles. A bonus is that the Trestle Inn is near them all too.

I was told by someone at Sawbill that there would never be a problem getting a site there before July. And of course he could always reserve one just to be sure.

inspector13: "
There is also an interactive map buried on that website.


If I were him I would drive a route with the highest concentration of campsites. For instance, Hogback, Harriet, Wilson, Whitefish, Fourmile, and Toohey are all within 15 miles. A bonus is that the Trestle Inn is near them all too.


"

I stayed at Toohey a couple years ago. Nice place to camp. It sounds like he'd be looking for something after dark. Forest service roads can be tougher to get around in the dark.

WHendrix: "I was told by someone at Sawbill that there would never be a problem getting a site there before July. And of course he could always reserve one just to be sure."

They also have overflow sites if the campground fills up. As mentioned, Crescent is nearby. It is a nice campground on a nice lake.

Though I dearly love Baker Lake, I would avoid it on the weekend. The free sites and lack of supervision can attract partiers.