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South Kawishiwi River
FSU.S. Forest Service — ELY · Minnesota · Superior National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Superior National Forest |
| Location | ELY · Minnesota · Superior National Forest · 47.81556, -91.73139 · Map |
| Sites | 32 public sites counted from the federal listing — 23 standard electric; 8 standard nonelectric; 1 group shelter electric |
| 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 25 of 32 sites (up to 50 amp where reported) 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 107 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 32 sites · 30 ft: 32 sites · 35 ft: 32 sites · 40 ft: 32 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 33 sites, as reported |
| Accessible sites | 1 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 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. 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.
View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Facilities 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. 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963. 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.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Additional sites of interest
Directions, from the listing
From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.
Nearest federal campgrounds
5 mi straight-line · ELY MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFall Lake
9 mi straight-line · ELY MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFenske Lake Campground
15 mi straight-line · ELY MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMcDougal Lake Campground
15 mi straight-line · Isabella MinnesotaFSU.S. Forest ServiceLittle Isabella River Campground
18 mi straight-line · Isabella Minnesota
Trip Card — South Kawishiwi River
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 | Electric at 25 |
| Max RV | Up to 107 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 32 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233843 · 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.