Can you reserve a site at McDougal Lake Campground?

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

Are pets allowed at McDougal Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at McDougal Lake Campground.

Are campfires allowed at McDougal Lake Campground?

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

McDougal Lake Campground, Minnesota — 21 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

McDougal Lake Campground provides easy access to a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming within the central part of Superior National Forest.

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.

The one-mile hiking trail and campsites 17 and 19 were closed in 2021 due to impacts from the Greenwood Fire and will be closed until further notice.

Recreation

Kids will love the sandy swimming beach within the facility. A boat ramp and shoreline access provide anglers the opportunity for a leisurely afternoon of fishing for walleye and northern pike.

Facilities

This comfortable facility provides 13 first come, first served and 8 reservable campsites that are either drive-in sites suitable for RVs and trailers or hike-in sites for tent campers. Campsites are private and separated by woods. The facilities include water from a solar powered pump station and vault toilets. Five of the first come, first served sites are available for long term rental by contacting the Tofte Ranger District Office at 218-663-8060.

The one-mile hiking trail was closed in 2021 due to impacts from the Greenwood Fire and will be closed until further notice.

Natural Features

The 323-acre McDougal Lake is surrounded by a thick forest of birch, maple and pine and sits at an elevation of 1,800 ft. The area is peaceful, rustic and begs for relaxation. One unique feature of the lake is the wild rice growing within it. Birds and wildlife frequent its shores.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (218) 663-8060.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within 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.

The facts

Season: May 9 – September 30 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
21 bookable sites
Up to 9 people per site
Loops: McDougal Lake CG - North Loop, McDougal Lake CG - South Loop

Site types

17 Standard Nonelectric
4 Walk To

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

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

Book on Recreation.gov

21 campsites at McDougal Lake Campground

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Access	Max rig	People
17	McDougal Lake CG - North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
18	McDougal Lake CG - North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
19	McDougal Lake CG - North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
20	McDougal Lake CG - North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
21	McDougal Lake CG - North Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
1	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
10	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Hike In	—	9	🐾
11	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
12	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
13	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
14	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Hike In	—	9	🐾
15	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Hike In	—	9	🐾
16	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
2	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
3	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
4	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
5	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
6	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
7	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
8	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	—	—	9	🐾
9	McDougal Lake CG - South Loop	Walk To	Back In	Gravel	Hike In	—	9	🐾

Getting there

McDougal Lake Campground is located on Forest Road 106, 10 miles west of Isabella, Minnesota. From MN-61, turn onto MN-1 at Illgen City and follow to Isabella. Proceed 10 miles west of Isabella to Forest Road 106. Turn left and continue a half-mile to the campground entrance.

47.64250, -91.53278 · 47°38'33.0"N 91°31'58.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 16°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	16	22	34	48	63	71	76	75	65	50	34	22
Low °F	-5	-3	11	25	39	48	53	51	43	32	19	4
Precip in	0.9	0.9	1.5	2.1	3.2	4.3	4.1	3.3	3.5	3.1	1.9	1.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

$18.00/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. All additional vehicles must be parked on the spur.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about McDougal Lake Campground

Can you reserve a site at McDougal Lake Campground?: Yes, McDougal Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does McDougal Lake Campground have?: 21 sites.
Are pets allowed at McDougal Lake Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at McDougal Lake Campground.
Does McDougal Lake Campground have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at McDougal Lake Campground?: Campfires are allowed at McDougal Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Site: $18/night
Long Term: $504/season

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.

Accessibility:

Accessible pit toilets

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near McDougal Lake Campground

Little Isabella River Campground 5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Birch Lake Campground 14.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Kawishiwi River 15.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dragon Lake 4 mi · Campground
Sand Lake Rustic Campground 7.4 mi · Campground
Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground 8.8 mi · Campground
August Lake 9.1 mi · Campground
Greenwood Lake 9.3 mi · Facility
Norway Lake 10.6 mi · Facility
Divide Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites 13.1 mi · Campground
Section 29 Lake Rustic Campground 15.2 mi · Campground
Pine Lake 17 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 218-663-8063
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-04-28.

McDougal Lake Campground