We’re heading in at Brule later this month and will be driving up the day before. We’re looking for a place to stay that night and I see there are a few campgrounds in the 30-60 minute range of the Brule landing that will allow us an early start in the morning. Can anyone share information about a good option for us? Thanks.

What are you looking for - like a full set up (picnic table and potable water) or just a place to pull off and sleep a bit before hitting the water? There really isn't much that is close by. Baker has three sites (that you can't reserve). Sawbill will be a solid 45 minutes to the EP. Crescent would likely have a spot, especially if you reserve now. And if you just need a pull off spot or dispersed site, I can send you some gps coordinates. Brulé!

Two Island Lake Campground is only about 15 miles from Brule Lake. I liked it when I stayed there.

Good one, Steve - forgot about Two Island being open now.
Another option is entering at Homer Lake and using either one of the first two sites on Homer Lake outside of the BWCA. Both sites are an easy paddle, easy to find, and the entrance to the lake is a motorized boat ramp. This would put you close to Brule - just not sure it would save much time, but it'd be pleasant.

Thanks for the info. We'll get there early enough where we'd probably find a picnic table a nice amenity, but main thing we're looking for is a place to camp the night before so we're semi-close to the Brule landing. The options given above are all good options.

There is a nice small first come first serve campground at the Baker Lake EP that requires no fee. I would check that first, and if full, then check Crescent (which is close to Baker) and then Two Island. Sawbill lake also has a campground but I'd suspect that one is getting hit pretty hard.

Good call, TB. Unless we have a strong interest in running in to Grand Marais for dinner, we'll probably go that route. If we do go into GM, maybe we do it in reverse.

When entering at Brule I've camped at Temperance River State Park a few times. When I was picking up permits at the Tofte Ranger Station or renting a canoe at Sawtooth Outfitter it made for a convienent place to camp the night before. If you want to run up to GM the night before it wouldn't be a terrible option since you're right on 61. I made the trek up to GM from Temperance the last time I entered at Brule.

You can also get a good hot breakfast at Lockport on your entry morning if you're so inclined without going too far out of your way.

While not in the area, just FYI - we exited the BWCA last week and looked for a campsite somewhere/anywhere around Ely, and everything was FULL. We ended up just barreling home.