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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: COVID-19 Information and Discussion :: Rustic Campground update?
 
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LindenTree
06/03/2020 08:38AM
  
CoffeeInTheWoods: "scotttimm: "I wonder if anyone has heard if the SNF campgrounds will be opening soon? SNF website says "closed until further notice...". I'm specifically thinking about Kawishiwi Lake. I guess I could disperse camp near there if needed?"



Anyone know any updates on this? We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi L. on the 14th and had planned on staying at the Kawishiwi Lake rustic campground the night before. If necessary, we can divert to Sawbill, where we're renting our canoes, but that would put us on the water later than we'd like on the 14th.



Thanks! I'll call Sawbill later today to get their take on the situation. I know the USFS site says "Closed until further notice"."


I was in Isabella 2 days ago, the rustic campgrounds around there were closed.
It is purely speculation on my part, but I think the rustic campgrounds will be open by the 14th. If they are closed go to Harriet Lake "off Lake County 7 from Finland" and dispersed camp there, if the rustic campground is closed. Many of the dispersed sites there have picnic tables and fire rings, I saw a number of people using them last week.
Harriet Lake is only about 25 minutes from your entry point.
 
LindenTree
05/26/2020 12:12PM
  
Scott, I was around Isabella and came out last Saturday. Yes all rustic campgrounds were closed. I can't answer your question when they will be open but if they are closed when you come up, I would suggest dispersed camping at Harriet Lake.
The three rustic campxites are closed, and there is a sign stating that at the entrance road, but the dispersed sites are open there. Many with picnic tables on the left/north side of the road. I saw a few camping there last weekend.
Good luck.
 
jhb8426
05/28/2020 12:42AM
  
Some are opening June 1


Campgrounds set to Open June 1, 2020
 
rdgbwca
06/09/2020 06:05PM
  
CoffeeInTheWoods:


Sent an email to Superior National Forest today and got this back:

Thank you for contacting Superior National Forest.

Although there is no current timeline for if/when the currently closed Forest campgrounds will reopen, I would say it is doubtful that Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground will be open by June 14.
"


I am thinking this would also include Jeannete Lake campground.


I am looking to camp in a tent the night of the 20th of June before entering LIS North EP14.


Would Fenske be the next closest campground?
 
CoffeeInTheWoods
06/08/2020 03:26PM
  
scotttimm: "I wonder if anyone has heard if the SNF campgrounds will be opening soon? SNF website says "closed until further notice...". I'm specifically thinking about Kawishiwi Lake. I guess I could disperse camp near there if needed?"


Sent an email to Superior National Forest today and got this back:

Thank you for contacting Superior National Forest.

Although there is no current timeline for if/when the currently closed Forest campgrounds will reopen, I would say it is doubtful that Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground will be open by June 14.

If desired, the closest open developed campground to Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground is Sawbill Lake Fee Campground. If that isn’t exactly what you are looking for, dispersed camping is also open within the Forest. This is tent camping on Superior National Forest Lands at least 150 feet from any developed roadway, trail, campground, etc. (and outside the BWCAW).

I hope one of these two options works for you. If I can clarify any of the above information or answer any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

 
LindenTree
05/28/2020 11:02AM
  
rdgbwca: "ducks:
The cooperator run ones like Sawbill are opening up but the Rustic ones like Kawishiwi and Baker will still be closed."



Thanks for this update.



I am watching to see any news about the rustic campgrounds as well. This year I have a particular interest in Jeannete Lake campground."


Jeannete Lake Campground is a regular paid campground not rustic, the dispersed sites on the lake that you have to boat to are rustic campsites.
 
rdgbwca
05/28/2020 10:29AM
  
ducks:
The cooperator run ones like Sawbill are opening up but the Rustic ones like Kawishiwi and Baker will still be closed."


Thanks for this update.


I am watching to see any news about the rustic campgrounds as well. This year I have a particular interest in Jeannete Lake campground.
 
CoffeeInTheWoods
06/03/2020 09:24AM
  
LindenTree: "CoffeeInTheWoods: "scotttimm: "I wonder if anyone has heard if the SNF campgrounds will be opening soon? SNF website says "closed until further notice...". I'm specifically thinking about Kawishiwi Lake. I guess I could disperse camp near there if needed?"




Anyone know any updates on this? We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi L. on the 14th and had planned on staying at the Kawishiwi Lake rustic campground the night before. If necessary, we can divert to Sawbill, where we're renting our canoes, but that would put us on the water later than we'd like on the 14th.




Thanks! I'll call Sawbill later today to get their take on the situation. I know the USFS site says "Closed until further notice"."



I was in Isabella 2 days ago, the rustic campgrounds around there were closed.
It is purely speculation on my part, but I think the rustic campgrounds will be open by the 14th. If they are closed go to Harriet Lake "off Lake County 7 from Finland" and dispersed camp there, if the rustic campground is closed. Many of the dispersed sites there have picnic tables and fire rings, I saw a number of people using them last week.
Harriet Lake is only about 25 minutes from your entry point."


Thanks! I'll keep that as a backup plan if Kawishiwi isn't open.
 
scotttimm
06/03/2020 10:56AM
  
CoffeeInTheWoods: "scotttimm: "I wonder if anyone has heard if the SNF campgrounds will be opening soon? SNF website says "closed until further notice...". I'm specifically thinking about Kawishiwi Lake. I guess I could disperse camp near there if needed?"



Anyone know any updates on this? We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi L. on the 14th and had planned on staying at the Kawishiwi Lake rustic campground the night before. If necessary, we can divert to Sawbill, where we're renting our canoes, but that would put us on the water later than we'd like on the 14th.



Thanks! I'll call Sawbill later today to get their take on the situation. I know the USFS site says "Closed until further notice"."


My strategy is this: I changed my permit to a day earlier, and just plan on finding a BWCA spot to camp on Kawishiwi Lake as we'll be rolling in mid-afternoon. So 20-30 min paddle and we're able to bring in fresh food, etc with very little effort. Then the next day we can head up to Polly/Malberg early.
 
scotttimm
05/26/2020 10:48AM
  
I wonder if anyone has heard if the SNF campgrounds will be opening soon? SNF website says "closed until further notice...". I'm specifically thinking about Kawishiwi Lake. I guess I could disperse camp near there if needed?
 
CoffeeInTheWoods
06/03/2020 08:25AM
  
scotttimm: "I wonder if anyone has heard if the SNF campgrounds will be opening soon? SNF website says "closed until further notice...". I'm specifically thinking about Kawishiwi Lake. I guess I could disperse camp near there if needed?"


Anyone know any updates on this? We have an entry permit for Kawishiwi L. on the 14th and had planned on staying at the Kawishiwi Lake rustic campground the night before. If necessary, we can divert to Sawbill, where we're renting our canoes, but that would put us on the water later than we'd like on the 14th.


Thanks! I'll call Sawbill later today to get their take on the situation. I know the USFS site says "Closed until further notice".
 
rdgbwca
05/28/2020 11:17AM
  
LindenTree:
Jeannete Lake Campground is a regular paid campground not rustic, the dispersed sites on the lake that you have to boat to are rustic campsites."


Thanks. I didn't realize that.


Do you know if Jeannete Lake is open or the best way to check?
 
scotttimm
05/28/2020 11:21AM
  
rdgbwca: "LindenTree:
Jeannete Lake Campground is a regular paid campground not rustic, the dispersed sites on the lake that you have to boat to are rustic campsites."



Thanks. I didn't realize that.



Do you know if Jeannete Lake is open or the best way to check?"
There are a few sites that can be reserved at Jeanette Lake through Recreation.gov - we used it last year for our EP 16 entry...updates I think will pop up there (though maybe not as timely). Here's the link:
Jeanette Lake
 
ducks
05/28/2020 07:03AM
  
jhb8426: "Some are opening June 1



Campgrounds set to Open June 1, 2020 "


The cooperator run ones like Sawbill are opening up but the Rustic ones like Kawishiwi and Baker will still be closed.