I am looking for suggestions for dispersed camping locations that are accessible from the Sawbill Trail.

We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi Lake on Saturday 23rd. But due to the closed status of all surrounding campgrounds we are looking for somewhere to stay Friday night to get an early start Saturday.

We are coming from the Cities, so any idea non-hotel or established camp ground along the way would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Take county road 7 from Finland and camp off of 7 somewhere. Look at camping at places like Harriet, Tee, Wanless, Dam 5 , lakes. Or there are many "logging" roads you could pull off on and camp.

Why not just leave the cities at 3am on Saturday?

There are campsites at Kawishiwi that you might be able to use. Baker Lake has some. And the others like Harriet and stuff that were mentioned.

x2jmorris: "There are campsites at Kawishiwi that you might be able to use. Baker Lake has some. And the others like Harriet and stuff that were mentioned."

Developed Camp grounds are still closed. We still can not camp at places like the Kawishiwi camp ground.

Bushpilot: "

RFtrailrunner: "I am looking for suggestions for dispersed camping locations that are accessible from the Sawbill Trail.


We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi Lake on Saturday 23rd. But due to the closed status of all surrounding campgrounds we are looking for somewhere to stay Friday night to get an early start Saturday.


We are coming from the Cities, so any idea non-hotel or established camp ground along the way would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks! "

Take county road 7 from Finland and camp off of 7 somewhere. Look at camping at places like Harriet, Tee, Wanless, Dam 5 , lakes. Or there are many "logging" roads you could pull off on and camp."

But Harriet is a Rustic Camp ground. It's developed as such. Are those not still banned? It must be "dispersed camping".

Karl I can't tell you if Harriet is open or closed, "I" would not call it developed. There is a big field there some trees and you could find a place to where you wouldn't be next to or see anyone.

Or Like I said look down some of the old logging roads. There are hundreds of place where you could camp "dispersed". For example there is an old road that runs to Bone lake that you could camp off of. Many of the road might have trees down blocking them. There was a lot of snow up there this year. Most of the roads get cleared every year by locals that use them.

There are many "designated dispersed" sites with table and fire grates. However most you can't drive into.

You could also look on the Wanless trail fs rd #172 there a couple of campsites on Homestead lake.

If LindenTree reads this he might have some ideas.

Good luck have fun.

I see now Karl. Um yeah I guess potentially those old logging roads. You should be able to find a spot where you can pitch a tent as well as pull over far enough.

RFtrailrunner: "I am looking for suggestions for dispersed camping locations that are accessible from the Sawbill Trail.

We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi Lake on Saturday 23rd. But due to the closed status of all surrounding campgrounds we are looking for somewhere to stay Friday night to get an early start Saturday.

We are coming from the Cities, so any idea non-hotel or established camp ground along the way would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks! "

First off, welcome to the board! There are a lot of good resources on this board and as you've seen, the members are a wealth of information.

You might consider also that if you're coming from the Twin Cities and can leave in the morning, it could only take you 4 to 5 hours (with a stop or two) to get into Kawishiwi at the put-in. It's possible to unload, park your vehicle and push off well before dinner time and paddle out to find a campsite nearby.

This option would alleviate having to camp somewhere nearby. Just a thought.

If I recall correctly, right where Sawbill Trail meets The Grade that heads north East there is a circle area that is open and might qualify as dispersed. I think it is an old CCC work camp. I think I’ve seen folks set up grouse/deer base camps there. I have not camped there, but others might have more info. Have a look at sat photos. Not sure if it meets the criteria of dispersed or not.

For years I often pulled in on a old logging road and slept in my camper. Close to Isabella lake there is a nice gravel pit to pull into. Lot of areas to camp if you want. Actually some real gems out there.

RFtrailrunner: "I am looking for suggestions for dispersed camping locations that are accessible from the Sawbill Trail.

We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi Lake on Saturday 23rd. "

If I were going in at Kawishiwi Lake I would get there via Isabella and Forest Rd 172.
Just past the intersection of FR 172 and 369 about 1 mile east of Isabella is a nice pull over where you could camp. Homestead Lake is a beauty about 10 miles east of Isabella on Forest Road 172. Right across from Hogback Lake is a nice spot, Elixer Lake.
Bush pilot mentioned many that I forgot about. Harriet Lake has three rustic campsites that will most likely be closed, but there is a big field right before them that will be open. Then you could probabally organize your gear at one of the closed campsites at their picnic table.

In a nut shell nearly any open place on the Superior NF outside of the BW and entry points is open to dispersed camping, there are endless possibilities. It is suggested that you do not start a new fire ring if there is not one already there.

If you are still unsure where to camp you are welcome to set up on my land 1/2 mile east of Isabella on Forest Rd 172. It was recently logged so it is not a beautiful spot but it would do. Addy is 4228 wanless road, Isabella. Driveway is right at the blue 911 sign, set up in the driveway, no one lives there.

Wables: "Why not just leave the cities at 3am on Saturday?"

Agreed. That's what I do.