Fenske Lake Campground
Fenske Lake Campground offers visitors an escape to a small, remote campground with large, majestic pine trees and easy access to water. It is a popular base camp for exploring, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and backcountry canoeing in Superior National Forest and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The campground lies approximately 10 miles outside of Ely, Minnesota.
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 | 10 |
| Walk-in | 5 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 80 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
16 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 80 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 44 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Walk-in | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Walk-in | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 007 | Walk-in | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
| 010 | Walk-in | Back-in | Gravel | Full | 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 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 80 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 009, 014, 015, 016 are listed accessible |
The campground is tent-friendly; most sites do not accommodate large RVs. Sites are spaced widely apart along a large loop. All sites have partial to full shade, and some overlook the lake. A group campsite for 10 to 25 people is situated on a separate parking spur away from the main campground. The site is perched high on a rock ledge overlooking the lake, offering a spectacular view. Families and groups of friends will enjoy the facility's small picnic area. An open log shelter is available for use during inclement weather.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 5 to October 21 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov's Fenske Lake Campground page. |
| Fees | Single Site: $20/night. Group Site: $60/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 not allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ely, Minnesota, travel east on State Highway 169 North (toward Winton) for about 1 mile. Turn left onto County Road 88 and travel about 2 miles. Turn right onto Echo Trail and continue about 7 miles to the campground entrance on the right.
| Nearest town | Ely, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.9953° N, 91.9139° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Ely Surplus Store ↗ | 6.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Fenske Lake campground review Superior National Forest
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miFenske Campground0.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miFenske Lake Swim Siteunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miFenske Lake Fishing Pierunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miFenske Campground Spur A0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miEverett-Fenski0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowmobile
- 0.8 miNorth Junction-South Loop1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe and 1 more
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
- 4.3 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
On the National Register nearby
- Pioneer Mine Buildings and A HeadframeHistoric district · Ely · 6.3 mi
- Tanner's HospitalBuilding · Ely · 6.7 mi
- Ely State TheaterBuilding · Ely · 6.8 mi
Natural features
The facility overlooks 130-acre Fenske Lake, a small and scenic body of water surrounded by dense hardwood and pine forests in the northwoods of Minnesota. Birds and wildlife are abundant in the 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.
Recreation
Because of its proximity to access points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its status as a Superior National Forest canoe circle route, Fenske Lake is very popular for canoeing and kayaking. Families and children enjoy exploring the short, 1-mile nature trail in the campground, as well as swimming at the grassy beach or waiting for a catch on the accessible fishing pier. Anglers can make use of the boat ramp and try their luck for bass, northern pike, crappie and sunfish.
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. Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over 1-million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extends 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. 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 Fenske 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 Fenske Lake Campground?
Single Site: $20/night. Group Site: $60/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Fenske Lake Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Fenske Lake Campground have?
16 sites, including 10 standard sites without power, 5 walk-in sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Fenske Lake Campground?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Fenske Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Fenske Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Fenske Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum of 9 people per site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Fenske Lake Campground?
Sites 009, 014, 015, and 016 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 Fenske Lake Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Fenske Lake Campground?
Because of its proximity to access points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its status as a Superior National Forest canoe circle route, Fenske Lake is very popular for canoeing and kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Fenske Lake Campground?
Ely, 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 Fenske Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Fall Lake (9.6 mi, partly first-come), South Kawishiwi River (15 mi), and Birch Lake Campground (17.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby