Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake is an undeveloped lake surrounded entirely by the remote Superior National Forest. This quiet campground has waterfront campsites with easy access to fishing, exploring the nearby wilderness and simply enjoying the beauty of the natural area. 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 · group sites in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 29 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
33 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Tent only | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Basic | |
| 003 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | |||||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 9 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 005 | Tent only | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | |||||
| 006 | Standard | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 9 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 008 | Standard | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 009 are listed accessible |
The campground has 32 sites situated on a peninsula that juts out into the lake, providing many sites with nice views of the water and some sites with access to the water. A few sites are first-come, first-served, including one primitive backcountry camping site that campers can boat into; access is a boat ramp on the northwest side of the lake. Picnic tables, campfire grates, water pumps and vault toilets are provided. A fishing pier is located within the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 12 to October 21 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single: $20/night. Group: $40/night |
| Rules | Maximum of nine people per site, including the backcountry site. At the campground, 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
Travel Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore to Tofte, Minnesota. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow the Sawbill Trail for 16 miles to The Grade (Forest Road 170). Turn right onto the The Grade and proceed east for 7 miles. The campground is on your right and is marked by a large sign.
| Nearest town | Tofte, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.8368° N, 90.7731° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedAtlas Piles Rx
22 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 ↗ | 16.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
CRESCENT LAKE CAMPGROUND, MN (Campground Review Ep.1)
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miPetes Point0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miCrescent Lake-Fleck Lake0.07 mi trail · hiking
- 2.1 miFleck Lake-Slip Lake Spur A0.05 mi trail · hiking
- 2.2 miFleck Lake-Slip Lake Spur C0.07 mi trail · hiking
- 2.4 miBaker Lake-Peterson Lake0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 2.6 miFleck Lake-Slip Lake Spur B0.2 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
This campground sits inside Superior National Forest.
- inSuperior National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,886,760 acres
- 11.2 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
Superior National Forest is known for its boreal forest ecosystem, numerous clean lakes and diversity of plants and animals. The entire campground is heavily wooded with white pines, red pines, spruce, balsam, birch and aspen. Birds and wildlife are abundant, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons.
Recreation
The fishing is good for walleye, northern pike and muskie. Crescent Lake allows motorized boat use without limit on horsepower, but is most appropriate for small fishing or similar type boats. The surrounding national forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking in secluded woodlands and canoeing in pristine lakes and rivers.
Nearby
The concessionaire Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, fishing bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear rental and a pay telephone. It is 13 miles from the campground. Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest, including the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over one 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. 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 Crescent 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 Crescent Lake?
Single: $20/night. Group: $40/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Crescent Lake?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Crescent Lake have?
34 sites, including 29 standard sites without power, 3 tent-only sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Crescent 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 Crescent Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Crescent Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Crescent Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum of nine people per site, including the backcountry site.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Crescent Lake?
Sites 002 and 009 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Crescent Lake?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Crescent Lake?
The fishing is good for walleye, northern pike and muskie. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Crescent Lake?
Tofte, Minnesota. The concessionaire Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, fishing bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear rental and a pay telephone.
Source: Getting there
What if Crescent Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Baker Lake Rustic Campground (2.1 mi, first-come), Clara Lake Rustic Campground (4.4 mi, first-come), and Sawbill Lake Campground (5.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby