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Birch Lake Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — ELY · Minnesota · Superior National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Superior National Forest |
| Location | ELY · Minnesota · Superior National Forest · 47.75694, -91.78361 · Map |
| Sites | 32 public sites counted from the federal listing — 29 standard nonelectric; 2 cabin nonelectric; 1 group standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 32 sites Water hookups at 0 of 32 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 32 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 32 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 66 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 28 sites · 30 ft: 28 sites · 35 ft: 27 sites · 40 ft: 24 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 3:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 30 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 4 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT: 218-365-7600, CONCESSIONAIRE (SUMMER): 218-365-2963 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-02.
From the official listing
Overview 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. 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.
View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Facilities 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. Please note: guests must supply their own linens and supplies; no electricity, water or indoor kitchen. Vault toilets and a hand pump for drinking water are provided, and firewood is available for purchase.
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. Nearby Attractions 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963.
Directions, from the listing
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 federal campgrounds
5 mi straight-line · ELY MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFall Lake
14 mi straight-line · ELY MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMcDougal Lake Campground
14 mi straight-line · Isabella MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFenske Lake Campground
18 mi straight-line · ELY MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLittle Isabella River Campground
18 mi straight-line · Isabella Minnesota
Trip Card — Birch Lake Campground
ELY · Minnesota · Superior National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | ELY · Minnesota · Superior National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 66 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 32 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233841 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.