Can you reserve a site at Iron Lake?

Yes, Iron Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Iron Lake?

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

Are pets allowed at Iron Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Lake.

Iron Lake, Minnesota — 7 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size. Fishing and canoeing are its biggest draws, as the lake provides access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

The Ham Lake Fire passed through the campground in 2007. Visitors may be surprised at how the burned area has grown back up.

Recreation

Iron Lake provides many boating opportunities. The campground offers plenty of canoeing and fishing opportunities. Walleye and northern pike fishing are usually good. Canoes, kayaks and small boats must be carried down to access the lake.

When portaging or paddling out of this lake and into another, visitors should find out if they will be entering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Entry requires a permit (self-issued for day use) and visitors must follow wilderness regulations including group size.

**View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.

View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.

Facilities

This campground is small and simple. Sites are organized into one loop near the water. There are no electric hookups. Campsite #1 is a first-come, first-served site. Effective January 24, 2025, Campsite #6 has been added to the list of reservable campsites. It is now currently available for reservation during the same reservation season as the other reservable sites.

Vault toilets, drinking water, and a garbage canister are provided. Conveniences are available at area lodges and resorts. A campground host from the concessionaire visits here every other day, and the facility is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and the concessionaire.

Natural Features

Iron Lake is in a burn area, and visitors can see post-fire ecology including uncommon black-backed woodpeckers. Moose, bear, loons and other wildlife live in the area. Blueberries grow abundantly in the area and can be picked in mid to late summer.

Nearby Attractions

The BWCAW is by far the most popular nearby attraction. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extend 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

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (218) 387-1750.

The facts

Season: May 6 – October 21 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
7 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 40 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: IRON

Site types

7 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Shade
Pets allowed

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

Book on Recreation.gov

7 campsites at Iron Lake

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
002	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	8	🐾
003	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
004	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
005	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	🐾
006	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	8	🐾
007	IRON	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

From Grand Marais, Minnesota, take Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) 36 miles north, turn left on County Road 92 and travel 2 miles on a narrow gravel road to Iron Lake Campground.

48.06778, -90.61472 · 48°4'4.0"N 90°36'53.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 15°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	15	20	33	47	62	71	76	74	64	49	34	21
Low °F	-6	-5	8	24	38	49	54	52	45	33	21	4
Precip in	1.0	0.8	1.0	1.9	2.9	3.6	3.7	2.8	3.5	2.7	1.6	1.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 14 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Iron Lake

Can you reserve a site at Iron Lake?: Yes, Iron Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Iron Lake have?: 7 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Iron Lake?: 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Iron Lake?: Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Lake.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Site: $24/night

Restrictions:

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.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Iron Lake

Flour Lake Campground 9.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
East Bearskin Lake Campground 10.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Trails End Campground 14.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Little Gunflint Lake 3.3 mi · Facility
Gunflint Lake 3.8 mi · Facility
North Lake 4.3 mi · Facility
Loon Lake 5 mi · Facility
Moss Lake 6.9 mi · Facility
Ham Lake 9 mi · Facility
Homer Lake 11.7 mi · Facility
Ball Club Lake 12.3 mi · Facility
Cascade Lake 13.9 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone (218)388-2212
Book Recreation.gov

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

Iron Lake