Iron Lake
Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size. Fishing and canoeing are its biggest draws, as the lake provides access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Ham Lake Fire passed through the campground in 2007. Visitors may be surprised at how the burned area has grown back up.
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 | 7 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
7 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | |
| 002 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 003 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred |
| 004 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred |
| 005 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred |
| 006 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred |
| 007 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred |
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 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
This campground is small and simple. Sites are organized into one loop near the water. There are no electric hookups. Campsite #1 is a first-come, first-served site. Vault toilets, drinking water, and a garbage canister are provided. Conveniences are available at area lodges and resorts. A campground host from the concessionaire visits here every other day, and the facility is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and the concessionaire.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 6 to October 21 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Site: $24/night |
| Rules | Maximum of nine people per site. There is space for one vehicle and one towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Grand Marais, Minnesota, take Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) 36 miles north, turn left on County Road 92 and travel 2 miles on a narrow gravel road to Iron Lake Campground.
| Nearest town | Grand Marais, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 48.0678° N, 90.6147° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedAtlas Piles Rx
17 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Rockwood Outfitters ↗ | 4.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.2 miCrab Lake Cut-Off0.6 mi trail · hiking
- 1.4 miCrab Lake-Main Brt2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miPortage-One Island0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1.6 miIron Lake-Portage Lake0.09 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.7 miCrab Lake-Loon Lake0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 1.7 miRush-One Island0.3 mi trail · hiking
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
Superior National Forest begins about 6.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.6 miSuperior 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
- Height of LandSite · Grand Marais · 3.2 mi
- Clearwater LodgeBuilding · Grand Marais · 10.7 mi
Natural features
Iron Lake is in a burn area, and visitors can see post-fire ecology including uncommon black-backed woodpeckers. Moose, bear, loons and other wildlife live in the area. Blueberries grow abundantly in the area and can be picked in mid to late summer.
Recreation
Iron Lake provides many boating opportunities. The campground offers plenty of canoeing and fishing opportunities. Walleye and northern pike fishing are usually good. Canoes, kayaks and small boats must be carried down to access the lake. When portaging or paddling out of this lake and into another, visitors should find out if they will be entering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Entry requires a permit (self-issued for day use) and visitors must follow wilderness regulations including group size.
Nearby
The BWCAW is by far the most popular nearby attraction. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extend nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness 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 Iron 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 Iron Lake?
Single Site: $24/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Iron Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Iron Lake have?
7 sites, including 7 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Iron Lake?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Iron Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Iron Lake?
Iron Lake provides many boating opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Iron Lake?
Grand Marais, Minnesota. The BWCAW is by far the most popular nearby attraction.
Source: Getting there
What if Iron Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Flour Lake Campground (9.6 mi, partly first-come), East Bearskin Lake Campground (10.4 mi, partly first-come), and Trails End Campground (14.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby