Birch Lake Campground
Birch Lake Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 13 miles from Ely, Minnesota. It is an ideal place to relax while enjoying fishing, boating and other recreational activities.
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 |
| Cabins | 2 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 66 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | North | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 002 | North | Standard | Back-in | 49 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 003 | North | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 004 | North | Standard | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 005 | North | Standard | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 006 | North | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 007 | North | Standard | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 008 | North | Standard | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 009 | North | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | Yes | ||
| 010 | North | Standard | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | Full | 9 / 1 | Yes | 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 | 66 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 002, Popple Cabin, Tamarak Cabin are listed accessible |
The campground features shaded campsites, each with a picnic table, tent pad and campfire ring with grill. Campsites are organized into two loops, all near the water and well-separated by dense forest. The north loop also has a group site to accommodate up to 45 people with eight back-in parking spurs and an open play area. The south loop has two camper cabins. These cabins are two room cabins with two sets of bunk beds (4 beds) in the back bedroom, and a main area with a table, chairs, and futon in the front room. The cabins sleep up to 6 persons and offer the indoor/outdoor camping experience with a front porch. A heater is provided for those cooler Minnesota nights. Vault toilets and a hand pump for drinking water are provided, and firewood is available for purchase.
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 Birch Lake Campground page. |
| Fees | Single Site: $19/night. Group Site: $60/night. Cabin Rental: $89/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 about 8 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior, until Forest Road 429 (Little Lake Road). Turn right on Forest Road 429 and continue 4 miles to the campground entrance road. Turn left onto the campground road and continue 1 mile to the campground.
| Nearest town | Ely, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.7569° N, 91.7836° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Guests must supply their own linens and supplies; no electricity, water or indoor kitchen.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Boundary Waters Outfitters ↗ | 9.1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 14.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Birch Lake Campground, MN
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miFr1437-Birch0.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.9 miBirch Lake2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.4 miLittle Lake1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.4 miBeaver Farm Spur Aa1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.6 miStony River Spur F0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.6 miLittle Lake Carry Down0.07 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
- 6.1 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
- Halfway Ranger StationHistoric district · Ely · 4.5 mi
- Sigurd F. Olson Writing ShackBuilding · Ely · 10.3 mi
- Ely Community CenterBuilding · Ely · 10.6 mi
Natural features
Birch Lake covers 7,628 acres and is one of a series of lakes in the area. The campground lies in aspen and birch forest. Birds and wildlife are abundant. 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
Fishing, boating and canoeing are popular on Birch Lake. Anglers can use the boat ramp or try their luck from shore to catch northern pike, perch, crappie and walleye. There are no horsepower limitations for boats on the lake. The shoreline is inviting for campers interested in canoeing. Families also enjoy berry picking during the summer and early fall months.
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.
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 Birch 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 Birch Lake Campground?
Single Site: $19/night. Group Site: $60/night. Cabin Rental: $89/night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Birch Lake Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Birch Lake Campground have?
32 sites, including 29 standard sites without power, 2 cabins, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Birch Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 66 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 Birch Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Birch Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Birch 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 Birch Lake Campground?
Sites 001, 002, Popple Cabin, and Tamarak Cabin 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 Birch 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 Birch Lake Campground?
Fishing, boating and canoeing are popular on Birch Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Birch 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 Birch Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are South Kawishiwi River (4.7 mi), Sand Lake Rustic Campground (13.4 mi, first-come), and Fall Lake (13.9 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby