Hi: I am searching for a remote, quiet, non BWCAW campsite in the Superior National Forest. Hike in or paddle in preferred over car camping.
Thank you for your input!
White cedar

One of my favorites is Hogback Lake Rec area.
Besides the Rustic Campground the area has other campsites on lakes that you can hike to "one or two can be paddled to".
The link will say closed, this is for the Rustic Campground, the back country sites are open.

Jenette Lake has some nice campsites that can be boated to, this area looks very much like the BWCA. The link will also say closed, this is for the campground, not the back country sites.

Hogback Lake backpacking sites.

Jenette Lake back country sites

Link to most, but not all campgrounds in the Superior NF

There is also a single paddle in site on Ball Club Lake at the edge of the BWCAW.

If you want to send me an email I can reply with some information and photos for a spot that I just returned from recently that fits your criteria very well.

You can camp wherever you want on public land in the National Forest. Get the Superior National forest map. It shows existing rustic and developed campsites. I did a Bikepacking trip through the SNF and used that map

Astrid Lake has a couple of nice campsites which are easy to get to by paddle or hiking.

Birch lake south of Ely is nice as well. The Kawishiwi Ranger station in Ely has a handout of all the non- bwca sites. It's pretty comprehensive and lists sites with designations of boat accessible, walkups, and hike-in sites. There is probably a link online?

inspector13: "There is also a single paddle in site on Ball Club Lake at the edge of the BWCAW."

Inspector13, congrats on the bear claw!

I think you will like Ham Lake. Two portages from the Cross River Access. Four decent campsites. Fill out day use permits for the days you stay there so you can go into the BWCA. An easy portage into Cross Bay Lake makes for a wonderful wilderness day trip.

I've always wondered about Johnson Lake, on the south edge of Voyageurs National Park. A chain of three lakes with five backcountry campsites. Accessed by way of a 3/8 mile trail to the lake. Has anyone been to this area. I hiked the trail one time but never camped there. Has anyone ever fished these lakes?

THANK YOU for all the wonderful choices. I look forward to exploring new areas!!!
White Cedar

All those inland lakes at Voyageurs require a rental from the NPS, you can't bring your own canoe in due to invasive species regs. Not sure if you were suggesting a canoe trip in or not, just wanted to point that out.

This is the lake I was wondering about.
Johnson Lake

gotwins: "All those inland lakes at Voyageurs require a rental from the NPS, you can't bring your own canoe in due to invasive species regs..."

Are you sure you got that right? If so, that seems to be a bizarre regulation. Couldn't find it on their website.... just a comment "BACKCOUNTRY BOAT RENTAL PROGRAM: Voyageurs offers the ability to rent a canoe with a backcountry camping permit at certain campsites."

The vermillion river might work for you. Most of the river is like a lake, the rapids have portages.

bobber,

Here's the language from the NPS:

no privately-owned watercraft allowed in interior lakes (the park will continue to provide canoes and row boats for rent through the Boats on Interior Lakes program and Commercial Use Authorizations on Mukooda Lake)

link here Voya Regs

martoonie: " This is the lake I was wondering about.
Johnson Lake "

Nice find! This one is just outside of the park. Looks like a fun place to visit.

I have also been intrigued by Johnson Lake as a secluded alternative to the BWCA. Fishing sounds decent and there are plenty of campsites that I would guess aren't used that much. But the only thing that is a little concerning is that there is apparently a Resort on the lake that is pretty rustic and has been there a while that caters to fishermen. So there would likely be some boat/motor traffic. As far as I know it's still operating but I am not sure of that - it's called Sherrick's.

Come to think of it, that might be a fun way to go there!! Here's a link:

Resort on Johnson Lake

gotwins: "bobber,


Here's the language from the NPS:


no privately-owned watercraft allowed in interior lakes (the park will continue to provide canoes and row boats for rent through the Boats on Interior Lakes program and Commercial Use Authorizations on Mukooda Lake)


link here Voya Regs "

Wow! Thanks for the link. Very interesting... you can learn something new every day on BWCA.com!

This campsite on the south fork flambeau is a favorite. Wisconsin has some great canoeing rivers.

Go from Fenske Lake and do a small loop that ends at Bass Lake. Lots of small lakes, all outside of the BWCA with nice campsites. This area is just south of the #23 Mudro area (if you are looking at maps)

Pine Trestle Lake is far from remote, but it does have a boat to campsite. You can portage into Kemo Lake and find more solitude, and enjoy some pretty good lake trout fishing.

Hogback trail has two hike in sites and one canoe in.