Echo Lake (Minn)
Echo Lake is located on the west end of the Echo Trail, a remote country road that traverses through the heart of the Western Superior National Forest. This quiet campground, where the sounds of birds and the wind are often heard, is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the area's resort scene. A variety of campsites, activities and amenities offer a comfortable stay for RV, trailer and tent campers. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of three million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border.
The group site takes reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota · group sites in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 21 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
22 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 004 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 005 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 007 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 008 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 009 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 010 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 011 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 012 | ECHO | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 003, 004, 006 and 11 more are listed accessible |
The campground provides 22 sites, with 13 reservable sites (1 group site and 12 standard sites) and 9 first come-first served. The sites are non- electric and amenities include vault toilets, solar powered water, tables, garbage service, campfire rings. A group campsite is available for groups of up to 21 people. Three free First Come First Serve dispersed campsites that can be accessed only by boat are located around the lake as well. Heavy vegetation may limit the lake view from some sites; however, there are numerous trails leading to the water. Young trees and lush ground plants provide privacy between sites. A boat ramp and sandy beach are provided for access to water activities and swimming.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 9 to September 2 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable through Reservation.gov's Echo Lake Campground page. |
| Fees | Single Site: $18/night. Group Site: $30/night |
| Rules | Maximum of 9 people per site. There is space for 2 vehicles (a towed camper counts as 1 vehicle). Additional vehicles on the site require additional half fee and must park on the spur. No vehicles may park on the grass or where they impede traffic. ATVs not allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Orr, Minnesota, take St. Louis County Road 23 for 16 miles to Buyck. At Buyck, County Road 23 turns into County Road 24. Continue on County Road 24 for 4 miles to the Echo Trail. Turn right onto the Echo Trail and continue 0.8 miles to the Echo Lake Campground.
| Nearest town | Cook, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 48.1706° N, 92.4911° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 5.3 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Echo Lake Campground Tour | Camping at the Base of Mt. Blue Sky (10,700 ft!)
Worth a stop
Possible day trips from the campground include Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake, Vermillion Falls, Echo Lake Trail (1.5 miles) and Echo Lake Hunters Walking Trail (10 miles). Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Additional sites of interest
- 6.4 miCrane Lake Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miEcho Lake Campground1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miEcho Campground0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miEcho Hunter Perimeter Loop ↗5.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.2 miEcho Hunter West Connect1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.3 miEcho Rapids Spur CA1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 1.6 miEcho Hunter East Loop1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Superior National Forest.
- inSuperior National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,886,760 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- William Ingersoll EstateHistoric district · Crane Lake · 12.9 mi
Natural features
This campground is on the south shore of the 1,222-acre Echo Lake and is surrounded by a mix of aspen, balsam, spruce, maple and pine trees, which provide ample shade.
Recreation
Echo Lake is a popular fishing spot for walleye, northern pike, panfish, black crappie, white sucker and yellow perch also living in the lake. The surrounding national forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking in secluded woodlands and canoeing in pristine lakes and rivers.
Guidebooks for Minnesota
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Echo Lake (Minn)?
For some sites. The group site takes reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Echo Lake (Minn)?
Single Site: $18/night. Group Site: $30/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Echo Lake (Minn)?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Echo Lake (Minn) have?
26 sites, including 21 standard sites without power and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Echo Lake (Minn)?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Echo Lake (Minn)?
Yes, pets are allowed at Echo Lake (Minn). Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Echo Lake (Minn)?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum of 9 people per site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Echo Lake (Minn)?
Sites 001, 003, 004, and 006 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 15 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Echo Lake (Minn)?
Echo Lake is a popular fishing spot for walleye, northern pike, panfish, black crappie, white sucker and yellow perch also living in the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Echo Lake (Minn)?
Cook, Minnesota. Possible day trips from the campground include Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake, Vermillion Falls, Echo Lake Trail (1.5 miles) and Echo Lake Hunters Walking Trail (10 miles).
Source: Getting there
What if Echo Lake (Minn) is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites (9.4 mi, partly first-come), Jeanette Lake (9.4 mi, partly first-come), and Pfeiffer Lake (28.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby