Can you reserve a site at Birch Lake Campground?

Yes, Birch Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Birch Lake Campground?

66 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Birch Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Birch Lake Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Birch Lake Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Birch Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Birch Lake Campground, Minnesota — 32 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

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.

The facts

Season: May 5 – October 21 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
32 bookable sites
4 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 66 ft
Up to 45 people per site
Loops: North, South

Site types

29 Standard Nonelectric
2 Cabin Nonelectric
1 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

32 campsites at Birch Lake Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
001	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	45 ft	9	♿ 🐾
002	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	49 ft	9	♿ 🐾
003	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	48 ft	9	🐾
004	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	58 ft	9	🐾
005	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	54 ft	9	🐾
006	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	38 ft	9	🐾
007	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	54 ft	9	🐾
008	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	53 ft	9	🐾
009	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	45 ft	9	🐾
010	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	42 ft	9	🐾
011 HOST	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	53 ft	9	🐾
012	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	40 ft	9	🐾
013	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	50 ft	9	🐾
014	North	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	66 ft	9	🐾
015	North	Group Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Lakefront	64 ft	45	🐾
017	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	40 ft	9	🐾
018	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	56 ft	9	🐾
019	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	39 ft	9	🐾
020	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	55 ft	9	🐾
021	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	48 ft	9	🐾
023	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	50 ft	9	🐾
024	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	49 ft	9	🐾
025	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	14 ft	9	🐾
026	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	54 ft	9	🐾
027	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	48 ft	9	🐾
028	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	48 ft	9	🐾
029	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	30 ft	9	🐾
030	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	57 ft	9	🐾
031	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	36 ft	9	🐾
032	South	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	21 ft	9	🐾
Popple Cabin	South	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	—	6	♿
Tamarak Cabin	South	Cabin Nonelectric	—	—	—	—	—	6	♿

Getting there

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.

47.75694, -91.78361 · 47°45'25.0"N 91°47'1.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 77°F in Jul, down to 16°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	16	21	34	48	62	72	77	75	65	50	34	21
Low °F	-7	-5	10	25	39	49	53	51	42	31	18	2
Precip in	1.2	0.8	1.0	2.4	3.9	3.8	4.3	3.6	3.3	2.7	1.6	1.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Birch Lake Campground

Can you reserve a site at Birch Lake Campground?: Yes, Birch Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Birch Lake Campground have?: 32 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Birch Lake Campground?: 66 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Birch Lake Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Birch Lake Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Birch Lake Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Birch Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Birch Lake Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Birch Lake Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Site: $19/night
Group Site: $60/night
Cabin Rental: $89/night

Restrictions:

Maximum of 9 people per site. There is space for 1 vehicle and 1 towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). Additional vehicles at the site require additional half fee and must park on the spur. No vehicles may park on the grass or where they impede traffic. ATVs not allowed.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Birch Lake Campground

South Kawishiwi River 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fall Lake 13.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
McDougal Lake Campground 14.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Birch Lake 3.7 mi · Facility
Johnson Lake 6.6 mi · Campground
Bear Island Lake 7.7 mi · Campground
August Lake 8.7 mi · Campground
Norway Lake 9.5 mi · Facility
Twin West 11.2 mi · Facility
Dragon Lake 13.2 mi · Campground
Sand Lake Rustic Campground 13.4 mi · Campground
West Twin Lake 16.3 mi · Facility

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

Birch Lake Campground