My husband and I suddenly find ourselves with five free days at the beginning of July. We're looking for suggestions for a nice private spot to camp. We've done the Mudro entry point and gone to Bear Trap. Everything else we've done has been with the kids.

We live in Ely so one of the Ely entry points would be easier, but willing to travel to the Gunflint side also.

Thanks for your help!!

So you're looking for a one site lake? PMA? How private? How hard do you want to work? EP 14 to Finger, Thumb, Beartrack, Fat and all those small lakes south of LLC. Pocket. Could head back out 14 or go out 16 if you leave a bike or have a 2nd vehicle since you live right there.

Yes, a one site lake would be what we're hoping for. We are pretty adventurous so we're open to some hard travel. Never done PMA. Might be something to consider for sure! Thanks!

In that area if you wanted some adventure, put in at Stuart and head east into the PMA (permitted of course) to camp.

But in my original recommendation, still a fair number of single site lakes up there south of LLC. Trygg, Tesaker, Thumb, Little Beartrack, Steep, Fat, Range Line, Ruby, etc. Tons of options and you could get to at least some of those on Day 1 from the EP. You could have a whole trip at one basecamp or move around on one site lakes up there. I'm not saying all those campsites are good or well-rated, but I know some are. Some have good fishing, some have lakers, some have other trout :)

You live in Ely?

A.) Lucky

B.) Can you drive or walk or snowshoe over to an outfitter and talk to them about it? I'm sure they could tell you all kinds of fun details while looking at a map.

Well, sure... But truthfully, most outfitters are really good at doing the same trip over and over. I thought asking on here might give us several options to choose from. I could look at a map and choose a single campsite lake, but nothing beats personal experience. ???
Also... We are SUPER blessed to live here. It's amazing year round. Winter is probably my favorite. Who knew that was even possible?!

Entry 37 - Sawbill Lake - Target Lakes: Flame Lake(northwest of Smoke), Wonder Lake, Sun High Lake(south of Alton), Zenith Lake (north of Kelso), Frederick Lake(go to Zenith and turn west), Town Lake (northeast of Cherokee). Wine Lake (keep going west of Zenith and Federick) has two very nice campsites and usually very few visitors.

Entry 37 - Kawishiwi Lake - Target Lakes: Boze Lake (east of Malberg), Amber Lake (west of Malberg) (has a nice sand beach). Hazel Lake(east of Polly).

Fat lake... hard to get to and one spot... out of little Indian Sioux north, just east of slim

bombinbrian: "Fat lake... hard to get to and one spot... out of little Indian Sioux north, just east of slim"

Yea that one made my list above. Lakers in there too

I would take a look at the Slim Lake EP or Little Indian Sioux South. These EP’s offer seclusion because they are often overlooked. Also, 4th of July week is a great time to go as there is typically a lull that week.

Tony