South Kawishiwi River
South Kawishiwi River Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 10 miles from Ely, Minnesota. It offers fishing, boating and other recreational activities in a relaxing outdoor setting. The campground has sites with and without electric hookups, as well as one group day use area great for family picnics, birthday parties and other gatherings of up to 35 people.
More like this: electric hookups 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 with electric | 23 |
| Standard, no hookups | 8 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 107 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Electric | Back-in | 63 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Electric | Back-in | 57 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Electric | Back-in | 78 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Electric | Back-in | 64 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Electric | Back-in | 62 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Electric | Back-in | 56 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Electric | Back-in | 63 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 008 | Electric | Back-in | 65 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Electric | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 9 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | Electric | Back-in | 56 | Gravel | Full | 30 amp | 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 | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 107 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 033 is listed accessible |
The campground offers individual campsites and one group picnic area that can be reserved for day use. Sites are spacious, private, well-maintained and shaded. Visitors will find vault toilets, drinking water and trash bins within the facility. 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 and the pavilion are reservable through Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Site: $20/night. Call the Kawishiwi Ranger District or visit National Recreation Reservation Service's South Kawishiwi River page for pricing on pavilion rental. |
| Rules | Maximum of 9 people per site. There is space for 1 vehicle and 1 towed vehicle (such as a camper). Additional vehicles at the site require additional half fee and must park at site or overflow parking next to the pavilion. No ATVs allowed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.
| Nearest town | Ely, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.8156° N, 91.7314° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Boundary Waters Outfitters ↗ | 4.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 16.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
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Video
South Kawishiwi River Campground, MN
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miS Kawishiwi Campground1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miKawishiwi Triangle Big Pine0.5 mi trail · hiking, bike, snowmobile, snowshoe and 1 more
- 1.7 miOld Man Winter Dogsled A1.9 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.8 miN Kawish R-S Kawish R0.05 mi trail · hiking
- 2 miSpur 15240.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.1 mi1901 Spur A0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV 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
- 1.5 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 · 0.3 mi
- Sigurd F. Olson Writing ShackBuilding · Ely · 8.3 mi
- Ely Community CenterBuilding · Ely · 8.5 mi
Natural features
The scenic Kawishiwi River boasts clear, cold and calm waters lined with boreal forest and wetland ecosystems. Wildlife abounds in Superior National Forest, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. The campground lies in a mixed aspen, birch and conifer forest. 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
Canoeing is a main attraction. The Kawishiwi River provides access to Birch Lake to the south and the Boundary Waters to the north. When traveling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildnerness, a permit is required. Canoe rentals are available by contacting the host. Closer to shore, visitors can enjoy an afternoon of swimming at the campground's grassy beach, hiking the 1-mile Kawishiwi River Forest Trail or trying their luck at fishing for northern pike, perch and walleye. A boat ramp is located on-site.
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. 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 South Kawishiwi River?
Sites at South Kawishiwi River are reservable on Recreation.gov. Some sites and the pavilion are reservable through Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at South Kawishiwi River?
Single Site: $20/night. Call the Kawishiwi Ranger District or visit National Recreation Reservation Service's South Kawishiwi River page for pricing on pavilion rental.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at South Kawishiwi River?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does South Kawishiwi River have?
33 sites, including 23 standard sites with power, 8 standard sites without power, and 1 group shelter electric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at South Kawishiwi River?
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
Does South Kawishiwi River have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at South Kawishiwi River?
Yes, pets are allowed at South Kawishiwi River. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at South Kawishiwi River?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum of 9 people per site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at South Kawishiwi River?
Site 033 is 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 South Kawishiwi River?
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 South Kawishiwi River?
Canoeing is a main attraction. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to South Kawishiwi River?
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