Trails End Campground
Trail's End Campground is located next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in a remote area of Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota. It is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy life, or get out on the water to canoe and fish. Berry picking and wildlife viewing are also great fun.
More like this: reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
| Tent-only | 15 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 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 | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 014 | TEND | Tent only | Partial | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 015 | TEND | Tent only | Partial | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 016 | TEND | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 017 | TEND | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 018 | TEND | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 019 | TEND | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 020 | TEND | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred | |
| 021 | TEND | Tent only | Partial | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 022 | TEND | Tent only | Full | 8 / 2 | Preferred | ||||
| 023 | TEND | Tent only | 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 |
Many campsites are walk-to sites designated for tent camping only. Some have a view of or access to water, while other have steep drop-offs. Other campsites can accommodate equipment ranging in size from tents to 45-foot RVs. The campground is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and campground host. Commercial services include canoe rentals, outfitting, showers, groceries and gear. Long and short term parking for the BWCAW is also available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From Grand Marais, Minnesota, take Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) 57 miles north. Gunflint Trail ends at Trail's End Campground.
| Nearest town | Grand Marais, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 48.1603° N, 90.8936° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedAtlas Piles Rx
31 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 | Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitters ↗ | 6.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 36.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
TRAILS END CAMPGROUND…. SO BEAUTIFUL!😍
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSeagull Nature0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miGull Lake-Seagull Lake0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 0.6 miGunflint Snowmobile ↗55.6 mi trail · 4WD, e-bike, snowmobile, snowshoe and 1 more
- 0.7 miGull Lake-Gulf Lake0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miAlgoman Overlookunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.8 miMoose Point Pondunder 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
- 4.4 miBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 816,244 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
Natural features
Trail's End sits along the Seagull River and provides access to Seagull, Gull and Saganaga Lakes. Numerous species of wildlife live in and around the campground, and blueberries grow abundantly on the forest floor. White and red pine, aspen and birch trees grow in the forested parts of the facility, providing shade. The fire burned a mosaic pattern, reducing some areas to ash while leaving others untouched. Many trees survived and burned areas have begun to grow again. This is a great opportunity to see a young forest rejuvenate after a fire. Post-fire soils and young trees are delicate, so caution should be taken while walking in the forest.
Recreation
Trail's End includes four entry points (54, 55, J and K) into the BWCAW, offering plenty of boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. Overnight, day use and boat motor permits are required for entry, and horsepower limits are in effect. Day use and overnight permits are available at the campground. Wildlife viewing is exceptional for bald eagles, osprey, loons and moose, and fishing is good for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and lake trout.
Nearby
The nearby Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center is a great way to spend an afternoon with the family. Many nature trails crisscross the center's 50-acre grounds. 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 contain 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 Trails End Campground?
Sites at Trails End Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Trails End Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Trails End Campground have?
33 sites, including 18 standard sites without power and 15 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Trails End Campground?
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 there showers or a dump station at Trails End Campground?
Commercial services include canoe rentals, outfitting, showers, groceries and gear.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Trails End Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Trails End Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Trails End Campground?
Trail's End includes four entry points (54, 55, J and K) into the BWCAW, offering plenty of boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Trails End Campground?
Grand Marais, Minnesota. The nearby Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center is a great way to spend an afternoon with the family.
Source: Getting there
What if Trails End Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Iron Lake (14.4 mi, partly first-come), Sawbill Lake Campground (20.5 mi, partly first-come), and Baker Lake Rustic Campground (22.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby