Sawbill Lake Campground
Sawbill Lake Campground has immediate access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a beautiful, peaceful and wild natural feature of Minnesota's Superior National Forest. The campground acts as a convenient base camp for exploring the nearby wilderness. 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 famed Boundary Waters.
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 | 48 |
| picnic | 2 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
50 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | None | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | None | No / – | 9 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | None | No / – | 9 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | None | No / – | 9 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 9 / 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 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 H1, H2, 013, 015 and 3 more are listed accessible |
Sawbill Lake is comprised of two loops with a total of 51 campsites, 27 of which can be reserved (others are first-come, first-served). Campsites can easily accommodate large motorhomes and RVs. Some of the sites offer a partial lake view through the forest. The campground is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills, as well as vault toilets, a dump station, drinking water and trash and recycling bins.
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 Site: $20/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
The campground is located north of Tofte, Minnesota. Travel to Tofte via Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow Sawbill Trail 24 miles until it ends at the entrance to the campground.
| Nearest town | Tofte, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.8631° N, 90.8853° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedAtlas Piles Rx
27 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 ↗ | 14.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest, MN from Rachel O.
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miAlton Lake-Sawbill Lake0.09 mi trail · hiking
- 1.4 miSmoke Lake-Sawbill Lake0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 1.7 miWonder Lake Alton Lake0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 1.9 miAlton-Beth0.5 mi trail · hiking
- 2 miSawbill Lake-Kelso Riverunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 2.1 miSmoke Lake-Burnt Lake0.3 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
This campground sits inside Superior National Forest.
- inSuperior National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,886,760 acres
- 5.7 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
Sawbill Lake is nestled in a thick pine forest that gives campsites excellent privacy. Birds and wildlife are abundant, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. Wildflowers add bright colors to the landscape in warmer months. The campground sits on a hill above Sawbill Lake. The 765-acre lake is within the Boundary Waters.
Recreation
This facility draws canoe enthusiasts who seek a quiet and convenient area from which to access the surrounding wilderness. Day and overnight use of the Boundary Waters requires a permit. The campground concessionaire, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, provides a one-stop shop for canoeists of all levels within walking distance of the campground. Canoe rentals, permits and guided canoe trips are available. Campers who wish to spend time relaxing at the campground can fish for northern pike and bass; hike, bike, picnic and attend educational programs.
Nearby
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear, rentals and a pay telephone. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness 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 Sawbill Lake Campground?
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 Sawbill Lake Campground?
Single Site: $20/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sawbill Lake Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Sawbill Lake Campground have?
53 sites, including 48 standard sites without power and 2 picnic.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sawbill Lake Campground?
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 there showers or a dump station at Sawbill Lake Campground?
The campground is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills, as well as vault toilets, a dump station, drinking water and trash and recycling bins.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Sawbill Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sawbill Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sawbill Lake Campground?
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.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Sawbill Lake Campground?
Sites H1, H2, 013, and 015 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 7 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
Is there cell service at Sawbill Lake Campground?
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 Sawbill Lake Campground?
This facility draws canoe enthusiasts who seek a quiet and convenient area from which to access the surrounding wilderness. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sawbill Lake Campground?
Tofte, Minnesota. Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear, rentals and a pay telephone.
Source: Getting there