Pfeiffer Lake
Pfeiffer Lake Campground, located adjacent to it's namesake lake, is a small, peaceful and scenic facility in the Superior National Forest of Minnesota. The lake's healthy population of fish make it a favorite spot for anglers, and the swim beach, playground and picnic area provide fun for the whole family. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of 3 million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 16 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | 20 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | 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 |
The campground has 16 total campsites 8 reservable and 8 first-come, first-served campsites, some of which can accommodate RVs. The campground provides fire rings, tables, drinking water, vault toilets and a centrally located playground that offers children a great place to run off the day's energy. A campground host is on site to answer questions.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 9 to September 30 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable through Reservation.gov's Pfieffer Lake Campground page. |
| Fees | Single Site: $18/night |
| Rules | Maximum of 9 people per site. There is space for 1 vehicle and 1 towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). Additional vehicles at 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 are not allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Virginia, Minnesota, take Highway 53 north for 21 miles to County Road 22. Turn onto County Road 22 and travel east for 10 miles. Turn south on Forest Road 256 and travel 1.2 miles to Pfeiffer Lake Campground.
| Nearest town | Aurora, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.7531° N, 92.4722° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 14.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Piragis Outfitters ↗ | 29.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Pfeiffer Lake Campground - Superior National Forest, MN
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miPfeiffer Lake Spur B0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miPfeiffer Lake Spur C0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miPfeiffer Lake1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miPfeiffer Lake Spur A0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miPfeiffer Lake Spur E0.06 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miPfeiffer Lake Spur Dunder 0.1 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
- Duluth and Iron Range Railroad Company Passenger StationBuilding · Tower · 9.7 mi
- Tower Fire HallBuilding · Tower · 9.8 mi
- Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church of EmbarrassBuilding · Embarrass · 13.2 mi
Natural features
The campground sits in a forest of mixed hardwoods and pine and new pine and cedar have been planted. The lake is 57 acres and has an irregular shoreline great for exploring by canoe or kayak. The lake area is also a nesting place for loons and a habitat for other birds and wildlife.
Recreation
Pfeiffer Lake has many activities, fishing being one of the most popular. Panfish, bass, perch and walleye can be caught from the fishing dock or offshore, accessible via the facility's boat ramp. Canoeing and kayaking are also a favorite pastime. The picnic area is next to a grassy swimming beach and 3-mile hiking trail.
Nearby
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. Additional sites of interest
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 Pfeiffer Lake?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pfeiffer Lake?
Single Site: $18/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pfeiffer Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Pfeiffer Lake have?
17 sites, including 16 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Pfeiffer Lake?
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 Pfeiffer Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pfeiffer Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pfeiffer Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum of 9 people per site.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Pfeiffer Lake?
Pfeiffer Lake has many activities, fishing being one of the most popular. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Pfeiffer Lake?
Aurora, Minnesota. Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas.
Source: Getting there
What if Pfeiffer Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites (27.4 mi, partly first-come), Jeanette Lake (27.4 mi, partly first-come), and Echo Lake (Minn) (28.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby