NPS · Grand Portage National Monument · Grand Portage, MN

Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds

Two backcountry campsites, accessible to hikers and canoeists, are located at the Pigeon River (Canada/U.S. border) end of Grand Portage National Monument. Each campsite is limited to nine people. Camping permits are required and issued by the park. A permit system allows campers to reserve a campsite in advance. Allow a minimum of two weeks in advance for permit processing.

First-come, first-served18 sites

More like this: first-come in Minnesota

Pigeon River ScenaryFort Charlotte CampsiteInformative PanelsInformative Panels
Photos courtesy of NPS Photo · Recreation.gov
1fire
active
Atlas Piles Rx (prescribed burn) · 23 mi away
Interagency incident data as of 2026-10-16
Incident details ↓

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds10°20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.35 inches of precipitation, 12.2 inches of snowFebruary: 1.03 inches of precipitation, 8.0 inches of snowMarch: 1.33 inches of precipitation, 8.0 inches of snowApril: 2.79 inches of precipitation, 7.7 inches of snowMay: 3.11 inches of precipitation, 0.2 inches of snowJune: 3.58 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.42 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.04 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.13 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.40 inches of precipitation, 0.5 inches of snowNovember: 2.65 inches of precipitation, 6.7 inches of snowDecember: 1.74 inches of precipitation, 11.9 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 10.5°F averageFebruary: 13.1°F averageMarch: 23.7°F averageApril: 35.8°F averageMay: 47.4°F averageJune: 56.9°F averageJuly: 63.0°F averageAugust: 62.6°F averageSeptember: 54.4°F averageOctober: 42.4°F averageNovember: 29.6°F averageDecember: 17.5°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Grand Portage, 7 miles from the campground at 730 feet, station USC00213296 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 31 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 55 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Fort Charlotte is reached by canoeing down the Pigeon River from South Fowl Lake or hiking up the Grand Portage footpath from the historic depot/heritage center area on Grand Portage Bay of Lake Superior.

Nearest townGrand Portage, Minnesota
Coordinates48.0037° N, 89.8283° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Prescribed
    Atlas Piles Rx

    23 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 gearClearwater Canoe Outfitters ↗26 mi
Dump stationCity Dump Scale ↗36.3 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

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Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds?

No. Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds Official Website

How many sites does Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds have?

18 sites.

Source: Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds Official Website

What is the nearest town to Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds?

Grand Portage, Minnesota.

Source: Getting there

What if Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Kimball Lake Campground (20.8 mi, first-come), East Bearskin Lake Campground (26.2 mi, partly first-come), and Flour Lake Campground (27 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds in?

Fort Charlotte Backcountry Campgrounds is a Grand Portage National Monument campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Grand Portage National Monument