Is there a place to crash near Sawbill or entry #37?

Not really. When I've had Kawishiwi or Sawbill entries, I've stayed in Tofte. If I had more time in my schedule, I'd do the camping thing at Sawbill, Kawishiwi, Temp River....maybe Crescent Lake campground, but I don't. I did have some friends who stayed at the Knotty Pine Inn/Tavern in Isabella, but that is still a fair drive away from Kawishiwi Lake.

There is a campground at the kawishiwi entry point if you aren’t opposed to tenting.

tarnkt: "There is a campground at the kawishiwi entry point if you aren’t opposed to tenting."

On a non-covid year it was hit or miss finding an open site here. For how busy everything is now....I wouldn't count on getting one of the 5 spots at the EP. Honestly, if there's one open I'd get a permit for a day earlier and just camp at one of the Kawishiwi lake sites. Way less demand for those than the actual campsites outside the park at the parking lot.

Sawbill has a lot of sites and can reserve some so check there. Getting a room in Tofte was pricey last time I checked.

The closest thing to a bunkhouse that’s I’m aware of is the Hungry Hippy just outside of Grand Marais but that leaves a fair drive in the morning. It’s either a cheap hotel in Tofte or camping. The campground at Sawbill is bigger and takes reservations as I recall. The campground at Kawishiwi Lake is well positioned but only has something like 6 spots, and since it does not charge or take reservations it’s a real crap shoot. I drove through it about two weeks ago and a few of those campers looked set up for the long haul.

Thanks all. Good to know. I keep forgetting we're still in the grips of C19.
I'll have to figure out the drive time and maybe go straight to the entry, paddle in and find some trees to hang from and make an early night of the first night.

There is a Motel at 61 and entrance to sawbill trial. Stayed there once, worked real well, they serve a continental brkfast also.