Anyone know what the scoop is with this campground? I’m not that familiar with what a rustic campground entails. Looks like it’s free. Anyone been here? What should I expect? Looking to stay the night before we head out on EP39.

Thanks in advance.

first come first serve......I think 5 campsites? Didnt stay....just took a peek when we launched at Baker. Decent little sites, room for one vehicle. I believe there was an outhouse and a water source. No garbage cans.....you pack it out. It is right next to the parking lot for the Baker entry

We stayed there last year. Pretty typical forest campsites -- fire grate and a picnic table. Cowdoc's supposition is correct there is water and outhouse. Nothing to write home about but a good place for an overnight stay and fast start in the morning.

Didn't actually check out the sites but put in at that EP last year. I'll only add that it's shaded & elevated from landing. I thought it looked really nice, overall. The only concern with these free sites is when partiers host a weekend bash. Sometimes a fella can get a decent nights sleep, as well.

If they happen to be full, crescent lake campground is a mile or three down the road, and has 1/2 their sites as walkup (no reservations). Crescent lake sites are really pretty. I think they might be $15 a night ish. Several sites right on the water's edge. I like them better than Baker. Vault toilets, water spicket, picnic tables, fire pit. Feels very similar to the boundary waters. There are no buildings on Crescent, and the campsites are far enough apart that you don't see each other, well, except maybe the walk-in peninsula sites. But two or three of those are gorgeous sites. You'll feel like you're already in the boundary waters, with the exception of an infrequent motorboat.

We saw a moose walking across the dirt road (the grade) by baker a couple years ago. My friends saw a bear on that road too. Fishing is fairly mediocre on Crescent.

Baker is a typical National Forest campground with a handful of sites...nothing better, nothing worse. Decent sites and if you are heading in on Baker there could be nothing more convenient. Agree that Crescent is also a great campground and not far away but unless you get one of the premo campsites on the lake, it doesn't have a lot on Baker lake. Baker is free, Crescent is not. Still cheap. Either would work. Actually Sawbill Campground is not that far away either and that has a store and showers and is a much larger campground.

I would do Baker if you have the option. So convenient. Here is our trip report from the area:

Baker lake entry

Thanks everyone. The wealth of knowledge here never ceases to amaze!

We're not looking for a Hilton- just a place to sleep before going in the next day. We're going in Baker so this seems like a REALLY good deal. We'll give it a shot!

We stayed here the night before our entry and it was super convenient, highly recommended if you get your permit the day before. Makes for an easy entry to Baker in the the morning as it saves time in the morning since you're not packing up at an outfitter and driving to the EP. We took an extra tent for the group to sleep in the night that we left in the truck, just had to pack our sleeping bags/pads in the morning and we were off into the BW.

BigCurrent: "We stayed here the night before our entry and it was super convenient, highly recommended if you get your permit the day before. Makes for an easy entry to Baker in the the morning as it saves time in the morning since you're not packing up at an outfitter and driving to the EP. We took an extra tent for the group to sleep in the night that we left in the truck, just had to pack our sleeping bags/pads in the morning and we were off into the BW. "

Thanks BC. We do the same- all different gear so we don't have to repack anything. Different tent, sleeping bag, etc.

I've stated many times. During the week, it's good. Yep, it's free. Weekends during the summer it can be party central. I'd say M -Thr. Stay there. Other days, spend a few bucks and go to Sawbill or Crescent.

Oh, BTW, I believe there is not a water source here such as a spigot or pump, just the lake. Take water with you or filter lake water.

There is an outhouse.

SNF website says solar powered faucet

I prefer these (Baker Lake) to the Crescent Lake sites. Nice red pine canopy with the gurgle of the Temperance river a stones throw away.

Stayed here many times, very handy for the ep, wouldn't hesitate to here many more times.

cowdoc: "SNF website says solar powered faucet"

Oh, sorry. I haven't been there in a couple years. So I stand corrected.

I've stayed at the Baker campground once and the Kawishiwi campground many times. They are very similar in that they are small, first come first serve, primitive, and at and at a bwca entry point. I really like them. I must be lucky because I have not encountered partiers.

It's always good to have a backup plan with those places because they can be full when you get there.