Can you reserve a site at South Kawishiwi River?

Yes, South Kawishiwi River is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does South Kawishiwi River have?

33 sites in total, of which 32 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at South Kawishiwi River?

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

Are pets allowed at South Kawishiwi River?

Yes, pets are allowed at South Kawishiwi River.

Are campfires allowed at South Kawishiwi River?

Campfires are allowed at South Kawishiwi River. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

South Kawishiwi River, Minnesota — 32 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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

The facts

Season: May 5 – October 21 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
32 bookable sites
33 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 site for day use only
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 107 ft
Up to 35 people per site
Loops: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Site types

23 Standard Electric
8 Standard Nonelectric
1 Group Shelter Electric
1 Management

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Shade
Pets allowed

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

Book on Recreation.gov

33 campsites at South Kawishiwi River

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	9	🐾
002	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	57 ft	9	🐾
003	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	78 ft	9	🐾
004	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	64 ft	9	🐾
005	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	62 ft	9	🐾
006	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	56 ft	9	🐾
007	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	9	🐾
008	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	65 ft	9	🐾
009	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	54 ft	9	🐾
010	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	56 ft	9	🐾
011	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	9	🐾
012	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	70 ft	9	🐾
013	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	9	🐾
014	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	58 ft	9	🐾
015	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	56 ft	9	🐾
016	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	59 ft	9	🐾
017	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	9	🐾
018	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	63 ft	9	🐾
019	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	9	🐾
020	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	51 ft	9	🐾
021	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	52 ft	9	🐾
022	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	66 ft	9	🐾
023	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	59 ft	9	🐾
024	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	9	🐾
025	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	107 ft	9	🐾
026	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	49 ft	9	🐾
027	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	9	🐾
028	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	71 ft	9	🐾
029	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	49 ft	9	🐾
030	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	87 ft	9	🐾
031	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	88 ft	9	🐾
032 HOST	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Management	Back In	Gravel	73 ft	9	🐾
033	SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	Group Shelter Electric	—	—	—	35	♿ 🐾

Getting there

From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.

47.81556, -91.73139 · 47°48'56.0"N 91°43'53.0"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	22	36	49	63	72	77	75	66	51	35	21
Low °F	-4	0	14	27	41	51	56	55	46	33	20	4
Precip in	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about South Kawishiwi River

Can you reserve a site at South Kawishiwi River?: Yes, South Kawishiwi River is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does South Kawishiwi River have?: 33 sites in total, of which 32 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at South Kawishiwi River?: 107 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at South Kawishiwi River?: Yes, pets are allowed at South Kawishiwi River.
Does South Kawishiwi River have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at South Kawishiwi River?: Campfires are allowed at South Kawishiwi River. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Single Site: $20/night

Restrictions:

Maximum of 9 people per site. There is space for 1 vehicle and 1 towed vehicle (such as a camper). Additional vehicles at the site require additional half fee and must park at site or overflow parking next to the pavilion. No ATVs allowed.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near South Kawishiwi River

Birch Lake Campground 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fall Lake 9.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Norway Lake 7 mi · Facility
August Lake 7.1 mi · Campground
Birch Lake 7.5 mi · Facility
Johnson Lake 7.7 mi · Campground
Bear Island Lake 10.3 mi · Campground
Twin West 11.8 mi · Facility
Glacier Pond 2 12.2 mi · Campground
Ojibway and Triangle Lakes 12.5 mi · Campground
Tofte Lake 12.6 mi · Campground
Dragon Lake 12.9 mi · Campground

Contact

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

South Kawishiwi River