Let me preface by saying...I've been posting, asking questions, and researching for a couple years on here. Unable to get buddies here in Missouri to bite on a trip to the Northwoods, so I'm going on a solo trip. Retiring next spring and thinking about a 3-4 week trip to northern MN is June or fall. I plan to buy a very small travel trailer - 13-16 ft - to live out of on trips. My tent camping days are about over. I get the "BWCA experience" and will take a couple short overnight excursions. But to be comfortable and not get worn out, I need a bed. And not wanting (or afford) to pay or need amenities of developed campground for an entire month. I will also be taking my canoe I can use with or without 2.5 HP motor. So having said all that, ...

My wish is to find a spot on a decent fishing lake where I can park and unhook my small trailer, and set up basecamp, and don't necessarily have to be in BWCA. A few people have mentioned some camp spots at entry points. I realize people are reluctant to give out info on "secret spots". It seems like there are very few places for dispersed camping on the water that you can drive to or if it is even allowed in the area. With so much National Forest and hundreds of lakes, I would think primitive campsites would be everywhere. Am I wrong?? There certainly are not many roads and forest service roads appear scarce as well, unless some FS roads aren't on all maps. I do have 4 wheel drive. It looks like most roads lead to larger lakes with resorts and central entry points.

I'm thinking there HAS to be some secluded place on a hidden small fishing lake that few know about that I can drive to with the trailer and call home for a week at a time. Again I realize hidden gems are best kept secret.

Advice appreciated. Guess I'm kind of spoiled here in Missouri, there are so many places with free camping out of vehicle on the water. I'm guessing there has to be many places in the Northwoods that fit the bill for my needs. Just not having any luck finding them.
Thanks in advance, Mark

Most of the disbursed camping sites that I know of in the Superior National Forest are accessible by canoe or boat only. Fourmile and Toohey lake campgrounds do have free rustic sites that you can drive to but there are only a couple sites that would have room for a travel trailer. It is also first come first serve and some of these campgrounds get full the time of year you are looking at going.
I'm sure there are others but these are the first two that come to my mind.

Get yourself a Superior Natl forest map, the big one. Go to their website and call one of the ranger stations. I think about 8 bucks, they'll send you over the phone with a credit card. They'll also send you any pamplets the have on hand. Check out dispersed camping on their website.

There are numerous small lakes north of Isabella. I know a few of those lakes could accommodate a small camper. There are many forest roads in this area where you might be able to set up but not at a lake site.

The only roads not marked on the Superior National Forest FS map are logging roads. Logging roads are pretty much impassable by passenger vehicles, let alone one with a trailer, and are blocked off once the job has finished. Even a few of the regular Forest Service roads are nearly impassable without a very high clearance vehicle.

I’m guessing the difference between Missouri and Minnesota are population density, forest type and density, and geology and landscape. There are lots of large boulders in Northeast Minnesota woods and not only lakes, but swamps too. Look at a USGS topographical map. Most of the landscape is covered by the swamp symbol.

This SNF pdf would be a good starting place. No motor use but would seem hard to beat Kawishiwi Lake campground for access for day use and pending permit availability over night.

From what I remember, you can camp anywhere in the SNF as long as you are not blocking a road.

Checkout the Timber Frear loop. It's in the area of Fourtown and Toohey. There are several camp sites on Whitefish lake which is the entry lake for the Timber Frear loop. Whitefish lake is a very clear water lake and the walleye only bite at night. Just troll with a crank bait.

Good luck.

HayRiverDrifter: "From what I remember, you can camp anywhere in the SNF as long as you are not blocking a road."

This is true, but where are you going to find space to put a trailer when most Forest Service Rustic sites don’t even have the space. The only spots I know of are in gravel pits and logged off spots where motor access wasn’t yet blocked. Even the few "unadvertised" spots on lakes with vehicle access that are actually on county land up there don't have spaces for a trailer.

I think the best bet for a trailer would be at Silver Island Lake where all the sites are said to be able to accommodate them.

Silver Island Lake campground is great, but you do have to pay. I think it's $12 or $18 a night. There are plenty of free camping sites that will accommodate a trailer of your size at or near lakes. I would highly recommend the area of the Superior National Forest area north and northeast of Tofte. I bike packed up there last May and came across many sites that would fit your needs. Get the Superior National forest map. The one that has the east side on the front and the west on the back. It will have all of the campsite site listed. Also go to the forest service website for more details on the campsites. The gravel roads up there are very well maintained. The forest service minimally maintained roads can be rough.

Crescent Lake Campground might fit your needs.

Crescent Lake Campground

jhb8426: "Crescent Lake Campground might fit your needs.


Crescent Lake Campground "

+1
I think it's great that you have decided to do it solo. I do solos too and am 68.
If you think you'll plan return trips to the Northwoods in future years then get yourself a Minnesota Atlas and Gazetteer for navigating back roads to fishing lakes as well as some hiking trails. Lots of backway gravel roads.
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters manages the Cresent Lake Campground (motors allowed) as well as Sawbill Campground (no motor on Sawbill Lake) which are only a few miles apart. Check out the CAMPGROUND link on that page. In my opinion, it's a good place for a first trip -- then explore other areas of the BWCA country on return trips. Day trips easily done from either campsite then climb onto your comfy mattress at night. While I haven't yet brought my trolling motor for lakes that allow one, I tow a 28 ft. trailer to Sawbill and find it very quiet and well-managed campground. I think you'd enjoy either campground/lake for a first-time visit. Easily fish both Sawbill (paddle only) and Cresent in a weeks visit.
America The Beautiful Senior Pass are honored.
Half-price on the campground fees of USFS & waives entry fee of National Parks.
note: I bring an extra 'house' battery for my week stay. Quiet generators allowed at either campground to recharge a house battery, as well.

Sliver Island Lake Campsites are free. Crescent Lake Campgrounds is not.

inspector13: "
Sliver Island Lake Campsites are free. Crescent Lake Campgrounds is not.

"

Correct sorry for the misspeak

I can tell you that the lakes in the Crescent Lake area (along The Grade) are beautiful and are pretty good for fishing. You can motor on all of them, I think, but it might be easier to paddle. Plenty of walleyes. If you go in June, think shallow and low light conditions.

Two Island Lake is my favorite non-BWCA lake in the area but it is a pay campground. Just north of Two Island Lake is Ball Club Lake (at the end of #323) which I believe is free and it has one parking camping spot. I camped there nearly 30 years ago. Great hunting in that area in the fall also.

When I was at Ball Club Lake 15-20 years ago there was a sign at there at the launch saying No Camping. There is however a back-county campsite on that lake, but it is accessible only by boat or canoe.

I've seen a guy tent camping at the back of the parking area at the boat landing at Ed Shave Lake. Looked like a nice spot.

For what it's worth, I've seen people dry camping at Baker lake in travel trailers. I think permits there are overnight paddle only, but I could be wrong.

Keep in touch, I'm sure some of us will keep our eyes open for something. Look me up and you can park here for a bit if needed. I'm 99 miles to Ely, but on a lake and you could attend our annual campout here...

Northwoodsman: "Two Island Lake is my favorite non-BWCA lake in the area but it is a pay campground. Just north of Two Island Lake is Ball Club Lake (at the end of #323) which I believe is free and it has one parking camping spot. I camped there nearly 30 years ago. Great hunting in that area in the fall also."

Two Island Lake Campground is very nice. I stayed at a spot right on the lake. I payed $18 a night for that site

Mark,
I did the exact same thing last year and plan to this year too. I trailered my pop up from California and spent around 5 weeks camping and hunting in the areas just outside the BWCA.

The PDF showing the campsites is what I used to pick a place to camp. My main concern is whether I can replenish my water at the camp area or if I have to go into town. I used the campgrounds rather than try to go off road. I also needed to pick one that would be open year round.

I went in Mid-September and left the day before the first decent snow came.

Now this is a good idea for my October camping! Not necessarily in a trailer, but then at least you don't have to haul your stuff all in, but you can still day paddle.

How about Flour Lake?

My wife and I stayed at the Flour Lake campground 5 or so years ago and really liked it. We did a paddle day trip to Rose Lake Falls and hiked the Caribou Rock Trail to Moss Lake. We wanted to do a day trip to Johnson Falls but that didn't pan out.

+1 on Flour Lake excellent smallmouth fishing. Also alot of day trips available in the area.

I like what I read about Flour Lake. I don't see any "free dispersed camping". All I am seeing is the lodge campground for $37 per night - pricey IMO. Does anyone know for a fact that free camping is available? If I am staying a few weeks, I can't pay $20-40 per night for a campsite. I'm going "on the cheap".

Along with the PDF, there's a long list of Dispersed Camping areas on the National Forest website giving details about each site.

That with the whole area PDF should find you what you need. Rustic Camping Areas

Mark1: "I like what I read about Flour Lake. I don't see any "free dispersed camping". All I am seeing is the lodge campground for $37 per night - pricey IMO. Does anyone know for a fact that free camping is available? If I am staying a few weeks, I can't pay $20-40 per night for a campsite. I'm going "on the cheap"."

There isn't free camping at Flour Lake.... $20 per night at the SNF campround and the $37 per night at Golden Eagle Lodge.

Bump to top! Again looking for "free" camping, although I am sure I will hit a campground with a hot shower every 3rd or 4th day. Just can't afford $20-40 per night for a month. And I will keep moving every 3rd or 4th day, maybe stay a week if I really find somewhere I like.

I realize this is a BWCA forum, but would appreciate some descriptions of some of the western areas too. The map looks like there are more major roads north and west of Ely. I have thought of weaving my way from Ely to International Falls. Even though I am looking to buy a small 16' rv, good roads will be more relaxing hauling a trailer. What is Kametogama NF and Voyageur NF area scenery like? I have thought of and had much advice on Gunflint trail area. One drawback I see is it's one way out and back, and no major connecting roads close to other areas west without back tracking. I would prefer making some kind of loop to avoid seeing the same scenery.

Again, I will print this off, so all advice is appreciated .....

Kabetogama is a Minnesota State Forest not a National Forest and Voyageurs is a National Park, not a National Forest. I am not just getting picky here. Different agencies manage visitor use differently.

Kabetogama State Forest does allow dispersed camping. I am not familiar with any sites in particular. The State Forest land is intermingled, in some areas, with private land. You need to have a good map to make sure you are not trespassing. There are also a couple of nice fee campgrounds that are primitive in nature, no showers, and around $15 a night.

Voyageur National Park does not allow dispersed camping. All camping, even back-country, is allowed only at established sites.

You are limiting yourself with a trailer. Very few dispersed sites I have been in on any public land are trailer friendly. Many are park on the road-side and short walk into the site type situations. I know you said you are passed sleeping on the ground, but what about a bigger tent that can accommodate a cot? My car camping outfit is a Eureka Timberline 6 person outfitter tent with a cot. There is room for a chair and I put down a rug and make it real comfy. I probably takes about as long to set up as it does to get a trailer level and established maybe faster.

There's a free campground on Sand Lake, on Highway 2 40 miles north of Two Harbors. There's two sites there, and a carry down boat access.

Another one I can think of is on Surprise Lake which is north of Isabella--not sure if there is a biffy there, but there is a picnic table. Not sure about turning around a trailer--it's a pretty tight site.

MisterKrabs: "Along with the PDF, there's a long list of Dispersed Camping areas on the National Forest website giving details about each site.


That with the whole area PDF should find you what you need. Rustic Camping Areas "

Whitefish Rustic Camp/ Timber Frear

I have a 16 foot camper that I have used at the fee free Whitefish Campground. We use the camper with an extra tent so plenty of room at the sites. It has been a few years but I think there were maybe 3 or 4 spaces. One pit toilet down at the boat access and no potable water or garbage facilities. So bring your own water or treat the lake water to use. Pack your garbage out with you. First come first serve so check out the locations of the other fee free camps nearby.

Lots of lakes to explore with a canoe being that the Timber Frear Loop is accessed from Whitefish Lake. Plus there are several other lakes in the area mentioned in the link above that are close by so if you wanted to lake hop you could trailer your boat to another lake or even camp hop from lake to lake. I haven't camped at any of the other lakes. So no info to give on those other campsites.

Roads are gravel but maintained. I drive a minivan and have had no issues but occasionally these roads can get pretty soft in the spring and wash outs do occur so drive carefully.

I seen a guy camping at the Ed Shave boat parking lot this past end of June. Not sure about it being legal.
He did catch a couple of big walleye.
If I remember right. The 8-9 lb range.
I fished it and only small eyes.

Kawishiwi has a rustic campground that is free. Space is available for a vehicle and a small towed vehicle. All the rustic campgrounds in the BWCA are free and don't require reservations.

I did a quick search of BWCA rustic campgrounds and found this list:

Free rustic campgrounds in the BWCA

Kawishiwi is a nice campground, but only has 5 sites, which sometimes fill up since it's also a BW entry point. You'll probably have a better chance mid-week.

Mark1, This is what you are looking for, the link posted by BuckFlicks

Free camping near the BWCA

Frankly, you won't find anything better than this. These are some really nice areas and lakes that will provide you a peaceful and free camping experience, with good fishing possibilities to boot. The only caveat is that most of them have but a few sites so you are taking your chances on getting one. I would pick a few in the same rough area and check them out and when you find one open, grab it. Worst case if you cant find anything there are many affordable fee campsites that could tide you over for a night or two.

Not being from MN I feel like this is an important warning, it is not unusual for darn near every campsite along the north shore and in the general BWCA area to fill up on weekends in the warm weather season. Weekdays it is usually not a problem but I would definitely plan ahead on weekends, if you are at a site, stay until Sunday, then move on. Sunday night many open up again.

You will find some beautiful country and very nice spots on this list, enjoy.