About South Kawishiwi River
Number of accommodations: 21
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Boating
Fishing
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
River Access
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- River Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
21 Sites Available
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Site Details
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21 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (345)
What Guests Are Saying
South Kawishiwi River is a beautifully maintained campground with well-spaced, clean sites and friendly camp hosts who ensure excellent upkeep, including impressively clean vault toilets. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, great water access for canoeing, and lovely swimming spots nearby. While there are occasional issues with mosquitoes and site sizes, the overall experience is highly positive, making it a favorite destination for campers.
What Guests Are Saying
South Kawishiwi River is a beautifully maintained campground with well-spaced, clean sites and friendly camp hosts who ensure excellent upkeep, including impressively clean vault toilets. Visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, great water access for canoeing, and lovely swimming spots nearby. While there are occasional issues with mosquitoes and site sizes, the overall experience is highly positive, making it a favorite destination for campers.
Review Summary
daniel r
VerifiedJuly 2, 2022 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Camp host Ellen and Jim were wonderful and maintained the place great!
Thomas S
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We were there in early June and the site had not been mowed so the mosquitos were horrible they would have been bad any way but with the long grass they were that much worse. The toilets were spotless as always so I don't like to complain. This is a great campground one of my favorites, I just happened to be there when the mower was broke down
Thomas S
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We were there in early June and the site had not been mowed so the mosquitos were horrible they would have been bad any way but with the long grass they were that much worse. The toilets were spotless as always so I don't like to complain. This is a great campground one of my favorites, I just happened to be there when the mower was broke down
Thomas S
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We were there in early June and the site had not been mowed so the mosquitos were horrible they would have been bad any way but with the long grass they were that much worse. The toilets were spotless as always so I don't like to complain. This is a great campground one of my favorites, I just happened to be there when the mower was broke down
Teresa C
VerifiedJune 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site was beautiful, probably the nicest we’ve ever had (terraced from RV parking, steps down to fire ring & picnic table, more steps down to the lake with a perfect fishing spot, gorgeous view of the lake,) the camp host was very nice, bathrooms immaculate (and so nicely decorated 😊) and the park, in general, was so lovely and clean, but the mosquitos and black flies were so thick we couldn’t enjoy being outside, they invaded our motor home & we got bitten so badly, we had to end our stay a day early. We talked with a local man who was bringing his boat in and he said this is the time of year the bugs are especially bad, so maybe we’ll come back in the fall.
Teresa C
VerifiedJune 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site was beautiful, probably the nicest we’ve ever had (terraced from RV parking, steps down to fire ring & picnic table, more steps down to the lake with a perfect fishing spot, gorgeous view of the lake,) the camp host was very nice, bathrooms immaculate (and so nicely decorated 😊) and the park, in general, was so lovely and clean, but the mosquitos and black flies were so thick we couldn’t enjoy being outside, they invaded our motor home & we got bitten so badly, we had to end our stay a day early. We talked with a local man who was bringing his boat in and he said this is the time of year the bugs are especially bad, so maybe we’ll come back in the fall.
Teresa C
VerifiedJune 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site was beautiful, probably the nicest we’ve ever had (terraced from RV parking, steps down to fire ring & picnic table, more steps down to the lake with a perfect fishing spot, gorgeous view of the lake,) the camp host was very nice, bathrooms immaculate (and so nicely decorated 😊) and the park, in general, was so lovely and clean, but the mosquitos and black flies were so thick we couldn’t enjoy being outside, they invaded our motor home & we got bitten so badly, we had to end our stay a day early. We talked with a local man who was bringing his boat in and he said this is the time of year the bugs are especially bad, so maybe we’ll come back in the fall.
Steven V
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The campground host Dan was a stand up guy. Great service and very helpful.
Steven V
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The campground host Dan was a stand up guy. Great service and very helpful.
Steven V
VerifiedMay 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The campground host Dan was a stand up guy. Great service and very helpful.
Location South Kawishiwi River
Address:
Kawishiwi Ranger District
Ely, MN, 55731
United States
From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.
Latitude & Longitude: 47.8156 / -91.7314
Elevation: 449 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Beach and picnic areas are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Contact the Superior National Forest for information during the walk-in season.
- Reserved sites must be occupied by the day after arrival or they will be forfeited.
- Visit the Superior National Forest website for more information.
Local regulations
- Permits are required for travel in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Amenities
- Site 33 at the campground offers a pavilion for rent, accommodating up to 26 people, with an outdoor cooking area and picnic tables.
Vehicles & parking
- Off-road and all-terrain vehicles are prohibited during camping season.
- Each camping unit may have one free towed vehicle if parked safely; additional vehicles will incur a nightly fee.
Cancellation policy
- Refund requests incur a $10 processing fee and the non-refundable reservation fee will not be returned.
Fires & fuel
- Firewood from outside the area is prohibited to prevent invasive species.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: May 20, 2026
