Little Isabella River Campground
Little Isabella River Campground is a small, secluded campground in a grove of red and white pines in the central part of Superior National Forest, just 4.5 miles west of Isabella, Minnesota. This is a great campground for campers seeking a quiet spot in the woods and anglers interested in fishing the Little Isabella River. The Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of three million acres. The Forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 11 |
Site guide
11 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Isabella CG - East Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 2 | Little Isabella CG - East Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 3 | Little Isabella CG - East Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 4 | Little Isabella CG - East Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 5 | Little Isabella CG - West Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 6 | Little Isabella CG - West Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 7 | Little Isabella CG - West Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 8 | Little Isabella CG - West Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 9 | Little Isabella CG - West Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
| 10 | Little Isabella CG - West Loop | Back-in | Gravel | 9 / 1 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | $18/night for one vehicle and one trailer. Additional vehicles or trailers on the site require an additional $9.00 fee to be paid. If you make a reservation online, you may pay the fee in advance with your reservation fee. Otherwise, the fee can be paid in the fee tube at the campground. |
This is a small facility with six first come first served campsites, and five reservable campsites. All sites are private and close to the water. Trash collection and restrooms are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 9 to September 30 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Booking | Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Single Site: $18/night. Long Term: $504/season. Long term site: Fee is for entire season |
| 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
Little Isabella River Campground is located 4.5 miles west of Isabella, Minnesota. From MN-61, turn on MN-1 at Illgen City. Continue for 4.5 miles west of Isabella the campground entrance.
| Nearest town | Isabella, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 47.6483° N, 91.4261° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Changes and cancellations are allowed up to 48 hours prior to date of arrival.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Boundary Waters Outfitters ↗ | 21.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Little Isabella River - Superior National Forest, MN
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miLittle Isabella ATV0.2 mi trail · hiking, bike, ATV, 4WD and 1 more
- 0.6 miYukon North ↗23.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 0.8 miFh 7 Spur 9391.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 1.9 miVictor Lake Spur D1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 1.9 miGegoka Flathorn Connector A3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe and 1 more
- 2 miGegoka Flathorn Connector C0.09 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
- 6.2 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
The campground lies among towering red pine trees at an elevation of 1,900 ft. The area is scenic and secluded. The Superior National Forest is known for its boreal forest ecosystem, numerous clean lakes, diversity of plants and animals, and colorful cultural history.
Recreation
The Little Isabella River, a small stream with occasional riffles, is a popular fishing spot for brook trout. The surrounding national forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking in secluded woodlands, canoeing and hunting.
Nearby
Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within the Superior National Forest's 77 lake access areas, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches, and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways.
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 Little Isabella River 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 Little Isabella River Campground?
$18/night for one vehicle and one trailer. Additional vehicles or trailers on the site require an additional $9.00 fee to be paid. If you make a reservation online, you may pay the fee in advance with your reservation fee.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Little Isabella River Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Little Isabella River Campground have?
11 sites, including 11 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Little Isabella River Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Little Isabella River Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Little Isabella River 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 Little Isabella River Campground?
The Little Isabella River, a small stream with occasional riffles, is a popular fishing spot for brook trout. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Little Isabella River Campground?
Isabella, Minnesota. Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within the Superior National Forest's 77 lake access areas, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches, and 22 picnic areas.
Source: Getting there
What if Little Isabella River Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground (3.8 mi, first-come), Mcdougal Lake Campground (5 mi, partly first-come), and Divide Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites (8.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby