Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
Campground · Minnesota · 50 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Superior National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 50
- Bookable sites
- 45 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 9
- People per site
- 7
- Accessible sites
- 1,812 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Sawbill Lake Campground has immediate access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a beautiful, peaceful and wild natural feature of Minnesota's Superior National Forest. The campground acts as a convenient base camp for exploring the nearby wilderness.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. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famed Boundary Waters.
Recreation
This facility draws canoe enthusiasts who seek a quiet and convenient area from which to access the surrounding wilderness. Day and overnight use of the Boundary Waters requires a permit.The campground concessionaire, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, provides a one-stop shop for canoeists of all levels within walking distance of the campground. Canoe rentals, permits and guided canoe trips are available.
Campers who wish to spend time relaxing at the campground can fish for northern pike and bass; hike, bike, picnic and attend educational programs.
View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Facilities
Sawbill Lake is comprised of two loops with a total of 51 campsites, 27 of which can be reserved (others are first-come, first-served). Campsites can easily accommodate large motorhomes and RVs. Some of the sites offer a partial lake view through the forest.The campground is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills, as well as vault toilets, a dump station, drinking water and trash and recycling bins.
Natural Features
Sawbill Lake is nestled in a thick pine forest that gives campsites excellent privacy. Birds and wildlife are abundant, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. Wildflowers add bright colors to the landscape in warmer months.The campground sits on a hill above Sawbill Lake. The 765-acre lake is within the Boundary Waters.
Nearby Attractions
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear, rentals and a pay telephone.Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness 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
The facts
- Season: May 12 – October 21 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 50 bookable sites
- 53 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 7 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 45 ft
- Up to 9 people per site
- Loops: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
Site types
- 48 Standard Nonelectric
- 3 Management
- 2 Picnic
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups.
53 campsites at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Grade | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Management | Parallel | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 002 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 003 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 004 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 005 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Moderate | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 006 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 007 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 008 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 009 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 010 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 011 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 012 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 013 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 014 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 015 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 017 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 018 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 019 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 020 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 021 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
| 022 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 023 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 024 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 025 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 026 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 027 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 028 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 029 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 030 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 031 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 032 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 033 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 034 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 035 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 036 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 037 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 038 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 039 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 040 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 20 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 041 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 45 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 042 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 043 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 044 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 045 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 046 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 047 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 048 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 049 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| 050 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| Day Use 1 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Picnic | Parallel | Gravel | — | — | 9 | 🐾 |
| Day Use 2 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Picnic | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | 🐾 |
| H1 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
| H2 | Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | 25 ft | 9 | ♿ 🐾 |
Getting there
The campground is located north of Tofte, Minnesota. Travel to Tofte via Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow Sawbill Trail 24 miles until it ends at the entrance to the campground.
47.86306, -90.88528 · 47°51'47.0"N 90°53'7.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 73°F in Jul, down to 17°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 17 | 21 | 33 | 44 | 58 | 66 | 73 | 71 | 62 | 49 | 34 | 22 |
| Low °F | -3 | -1 | 11 | 24 | 38 | 49 | 54 | 52 | 44 | 33 | 20 | 7 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 15.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
- Can you reserve a site at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest?
- Yes, Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest have?
- 53 sites in total, of which 50 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest?
- 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest.
- Does Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest?
- Campfires are allowed at Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Site: $20/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.
Accessibility:
- There are 2 accessible campsites.
Camping near Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
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- Poplar River Rustic Campground 10 mi · Campground
- Temperance River Campground 10 mi · Campground
- Homer Lake 10.1 mi · Facility
- Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground 10.2 mi · Campground
- White Pine Lake Rustic Campground 10.5 mi · Campground
- Toohey Lake Rustic Campground 10.8 mi · Campground
- Timber-Frear Canoe Route 10.9 mi · Facility
- Cascade Lake 11.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Phone 218-663-7150
- Email info@sawbill.com
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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