RV Sites
steven c
VerifiedAugust 23, 2021 Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Super campground. Clean, quiet and great place to spend a night before your trip into the BWCA.
Helpful
About South Kawishiwi River
South Kawishiwi River Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 10 mi 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.
Available sites
21 total sitesActivities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Spring
Summer
Fall
Fishing
Year-round
Year-round
Fishing
Nearby
Spring
Boating
Nearby
Summer
Boating
Nearby
Fall
Boating
Nearby
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
River Access
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- River Access
Missing information?
Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
21 Sites Available
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001, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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002, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
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006, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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007, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
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008, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
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009, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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012, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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014, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
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Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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030, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
No sites found matching your criteria.
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Site Details
Select a site to view details
21 Sites Available
Site
Price
🚐
001, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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002, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
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006, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
007, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
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008, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
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009, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
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010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
012, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
014, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
030, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐
031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
372 reviews
Summary
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.
Based on guest feedback
4.6
Overall rating
Based on 372 reviews
5 stars
70.2% (261)
4 stars
19.6% (73)
3 stars
7.5% (28)
2 stars
2.7% (10)
1 star
0.0% (0)
Showing 372 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Oldest First
Ginny M
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 Stayed at: 008, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Thought the host needed some help in making sure the bathrooms had ample toilet paper...she never came and asked how everything was or if we needed anything...they do a great job at Whiteface Reservoir....we were there during the Greenwood fire and she never came around to let us know the circumstances if there would be an evacuation or nothing to worry about...have had much better hosts previous years
Helpful
Ginny M
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 Stayed at: 008, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Thought the host needed some help in making sure the bathrooms had ample toilet paper...she never came and asked how everything was or if we needed anything...they do a great job at Whiteface Reservoir....we were there during the Greenwood fire and she never came around to let us know the circumstances if there would be an evacuation or nothing to worry about...have had much better hosts previous years
Helpful
Ginny M
VerifiedAugust 30, 2021 Stayed at: 008, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Thought the host needed some help in making sure the bathrooms had ample toilet paper...she never came and asked how everything was or if we needed anything...they do a great job at Whiteface Reservoir....we were there during the Greenwood fire and she never came around to let us know the circumstances if there would be an evacuation or nothing to worry about...have had much better hosts previous years
Helpful
Keith H
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is a must to stay at. Relatively small with large private sites - electric only. The camp ground host was terrific. She maintained the sites and the vault toilets were immaculate even to the degree of having a floral arrangement, scent and anti bacterial soap.
Helpful
Keith H
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is a must to stay at. Relatively small with large private sites - electric only. The camp ground host was terrific. She maintained the sites and the vault toilets were immaculate even to the degree of having a floral arrangement, scent and anti bacterial soap.
Helpful
Keith H
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2021 Stayed at: 003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is a must to stay at. Relatively small with large private sites - electric only. The camp ground host was terrific. She maintained the sites and the vault toilets were immaculate even to the degree of having a floral arrangement, scent and anti bacterial soap.
Helpful
James G
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Everything was clean and tidy. The campground host (Julia) was an excellent source of information and helped us with our campground orientation. A memorable experience!
Helpful
James G
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Everything was clean and tidy. The campground host (Julia) was an excellent source of information and helped us with our campground orientation. A memorable experience!
Helpful
James G
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Everything was clean and tidy. The campground host (Julia) was an excellent source of information and helped us with our campground orientation. A memorable experience!
Helpful
Location & Directions for South Kawishiwi River
Kawishiwi Ranger District, Ely, MN 55731 United States
Elevation: 449 ft
Getting There
From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 mi south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.
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
Nearby destinations
Last updated: October 7, 2026
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Explore Ely, MN
Population: 3,240
Nearby city: Duluth, MN
Approx. 73 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,470 ft
Ely, MN
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service