Trails End Campground
Campground · Minnesota · 33 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Superior National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 33
- Bookable sites
- 40 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 1,445 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Trail's End Campground is located next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in a remote area of Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota. It is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy life, or get out on the water to canoe and fish. Berry picking and wildlife viewing are also great fun.Recreation
Trail's End includes four entry points (54, 55, J and K) into the BWCAW, offering plenty of boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. Overnight, day use and boat motor permits are required for entry, and horsepower limits are in effect. Day use and overnight permits are available at the campground.Wildlife viewing is exceptional for bald eagles, osprey, loons and moose, and fishing is good for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and lake trout.
View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Facilities
Many campsites are walk-to sites designated for tent camping only. Some have a view of or access to water, while other have steep drop-offs. Other campsites can accommodate equipment ranging in size from tents to 45-foot RVs. The campground is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and campground host.Commercial services include canoe rentals, outfitting, showers, groceries and gear. Long and short term parking for the BWCAW is also available.
Natural Features
Trail's End sits along the Seagull River and provides access to Seagull, Gull and Saganaga Lakes. Numerous species of wildlife live in and around the campground, and blueberries grow abundantly on the forest floor.White and red pine, aspen and birch trees grow in the forested parts of the facility, providing shade. The fire burned a mosaic pattern, reducing some areas to ash while leaving others untouched. Many trees survived and burned areas have begun to grow again.
This is a great opportunity to see a young forest rejuvenate after a fire. Post-fire soils and young trees are delicate, so caution should be taken while walking in the forest.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (218) 387-1750.Nearby Attractions
The nearby Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center is a great way to spend an afternoon with the family. Many nature trails crisscross the center's 50-acre grounds. 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 contain 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
- 33 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 40 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: TEND, TRAI
Site types
- 18 Standard Nonelectric
- 15 Tent Only Nonelectric
Amenities
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
33 campsites at Trails End Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 11:00 AM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 014 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 016 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | TEND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 024 | TEND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | TEND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 026 | TEND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 028 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 031 | TEND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 032 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 033 | TEND | Tent Only Nonelectric | — | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 001 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 002 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 15 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 20 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | TRAI | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | 25 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Grand Marais, Minnesota, take Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) 57 miles north. Gunflint Trail ends at Trail's End Campground.
48.16028, -90.89361 · 48°9'37.0"N 90°53'37.0"W
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, 0.4 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 Trails End Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Trails End Campground?
- Yes, Trails End Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Trails End Campground have?
- 33 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Trails End Campground?
- 40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Trails End Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Trails End Campground.
- Does Trails End Campground have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
Camping near Trails End Campground
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Reservations) 9.9 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Iron Lake 14.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest 20.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Crescent Lake (MN) 23 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ham Lake 7.5 mi · Facility
- Loon Lake 9.8 mi · Facility
- Gunflint Lake 10.7 mi · Facility
- Little Gunflint Lake 13.6 mi · Facility
- North Lake 15.4 mi · Facility
- Homer Lake 20.4 mi · Facility
- Moss Lake 20.7 mi · Facility
- Baker Lake Rustic Campground 22.1 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone (218)388-2212
- 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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