Forest Information
The Superior National Forest is located in the northeast corner
of Minnesota. It is comprised of 3,000,000 acres and has 27
developed campgrounds, 20 of which meet the selection criteria.
Located in the "Arrowhead" of Minnesota, Superior National Forest
is bound on two sides by water - Lake Superior along its
southeastern side and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
(BWCAW) along the northern edge. Water and ice are the defining
features of the Superior National Forest and its history. Glacial
ice carved not only Lake Superior but hundreds of lakes that
compose the BWCAW some ten to fifteen thousand years ago. As the
ice receded its melt filled the lakes and established the boreal
forest ecosystem. This ecosystem supports the native plants and
animals and provided economic opportunities to the region even
before the Voyageurs ventured across the area. Today, the boreal
forest ecosystem, managed and maintained by the Forest Service,
is enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year. For outstanding
recreational opportunities and magnificent camping locations it
would be hard to find a place better than the Superior National
Forest.
As in all National Forests, Superior offers a variety of
recreational activities that range from hiking to canoeing,
camping to wildlife watching, and much more. However, only
Superior has the BWCAW. This area, with 2,000 lakes, is
accessible principally by canoe from a number of "portal" or
access points. Camping within the BWCAW is classified as
"dispersed" and not included in this campground review. Visitors
who want to camp and experience the BWCAW must obtain a permit
from either a Forest Service office (ranger district) or an
approved location. Any camper or group of campers must have a
permit, camp at a designated campsite, and than demonstrate their
knowledge of "Leave No Trace" camping techniques.
For those who prefer their camping to be a little more developed,
the Superior has a variety of campgrounds. There are many "near-
wilderness" as well as a growing number of highly developed
campgrounds.
Perhaps the most highly developed campground in the Superior is
Fall Lake, adjacent to the BWCAW. Most of the campsites have
electric hook-ups and the bathroom facilities include flush
toilets and hot showers. An RV waste station is available at the
Ely Chamber of Commerce. Whiteface Reservoir campground, on its
4,980-acre lake, also has some electric only campsites but its
bathroom facilities are limited to vault toilets.
One of the most picturesque "near-wilderness" campgrounds is
Trails End located at the end of Gunflint Trail. Located some
fifty miles from Grand Marais, the view of glacier-carved
landscape from its camp sites makes the trip well-worth the
drive. Here, one can directly access the BWCAW and take advantage
of an outfitter at the campground entrance. Trails End campground
offers a pleasant mixture of car, tent and recreational vehicle
(RV) camping sites and great blueberry picking opportunities.
But Sawbill Lake campground is a very close second in it beauty
and access to the BWCAW. The Sawbill Canoe Outfitter, which has
been at this location almost 50 years, provides great assistance
to campers and canoeists by offering a depth of knowledge for the
area, canoe rentals, hot showers, firewood, gift shop, outdoor
equipment, etc.
The legacy left by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) can be
found throughout the Forest and Boundary Waters. The CCC
workmanship can be seen in the stonework canoe portages and at
various campgrounds. A beautiful stone retaining wall, one
example of CCC stonework, can be see along the road leading from
Sawbill Lake campground to the old Range Station and dock. Log
structures, whether picnic pavilion or cabin, also attest to the
CCC's presence. An excellent example of CCC workmanship can be
found at S. Kawishiwi River campground's log pavilion with a
fireplace. This structure was built in 1933 and is still
providing services to the public.
Other contributions the CCC made to the Superior are the roads,
such as Gunflint Trail (State Rt. 12), Sawbill Trail (State Rt.
2), and The Grade (Forest Rt. 170) and some of the developed
campgrounds. Retaining a great deal of its CCC character and
charm, is Lake Jeanette campground. Although Echo Lake
campground is close to some nearby attractions such as Voyageurs
National Park, Crane Lake, Vermilion Falls, and the tiny
community of Buyck (pronounced bike), Jeanette Lake campground is
just a special place. Its walk-in tent sites deserve the title
of "honeymoon suites." And most of the sites in the campground
are along the lake with giant boulders looking like the back of
some lost Humpback whale rising up from the crystal clear water.
However, it must be said that two of Superior's developed
campgrounds are adjacent to a lake. They are Little Isabella
River and S. Kawishiwi River campgrounds. These lakeside
campground have one characteristic in common - great canoeing
opportunities. Anyone looking for outstanding canoeing must
consider visiting the Superior National Forest. Between the
BWCAW and the numerous crystal clear lakes found throughout,
there can't be a better place for flat water paddling.
The quality of the water is also reflected by the quality of the
fishing in this Forest. There is Northern pike, Walleye,
Smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, Muskie, and Brook and Rainbow
trout to challenge anglers of all skill and experience levels.
An innovation in the Superior's developed campgrounds are solar
powered water systems that have replaced the old-fashion hand
pumps. Now, rather than having to pump a lever, campers have
only to turn the spigot's handle. True, there may be fewer
sources for drinking water in the campground, but the ease in
obtaining potable water is much improved.
The Superior National Forest offers a variety of activities for
any season. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available
in the winter. Hiking, mountain biking, camping, and canoeing are
excellent in the summer. And just simply sitting and enjoy this
magnificent Forest, is great any time of the year.
ADDRESSES
SUPERVISOR ADDRESS
8901 Grand Avenue Place
Duluth, Minnesota 55808
218-626-4300
RANGER DISTRICT ADDRESSES
Gunflint
2020 W. Highway 61
Grand Marais, Minnesota 55604
218-387-1750
Kawishiwi
1393 Hwy 169
Ely, Minnesota 55731
218-365-7600
LaCroix
320 N Highway 53
Cook, Minnesota 55723
218-666-0020
Laurentian
318 Forestry Rd.
Aurora, Minnesota 55705
218-453-8650
Tofte
7355 West Hwy 61
P.O. Box 2159
Tofte, Minnesota 55615
218-663-8060 |
