Picture of log building.
Picture of rock-lined path and log building.
Picture of road with sign.
Picture of trail in the woods.
Picture of campsite.

Featured amenities

River Access River Access

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 sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Boating

Boating

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round

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 River Access
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

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

Site
Price
🚐 001, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 002, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 006, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 007, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 008, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 009, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 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

Reviews

372 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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

Write a review
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 368 reviews

Jeffrey C

Verified

August 6, 2021 Stayed at: 012, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Wonderful Campsite. The hosts kept the vault toilets very clean. Having 30 amp power in a National Forest made it a great experience. Sites are long, wide and private. Great swimming beach and boat launch.

Helpful

Jeffrey C

Verified

August 6, 2021 Stayed at: 012, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Wonderful Campsite. The hosts kept the vault toilets very clean. Having 30 amp power in a National Forest made it a great experience. Sites are long, wide and private. Great swimming beach and boat launch.

Helpful

Brenda M

Verified

August 5, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

It was a very nice park, clean bathrooms, water available to fill the Rv by the pavilion.
Nice little swimming area down by the river. There is a lot of things to do close by, within a 30 mi area. Lake vermilion underground mines, wolf museum, hiking, canoeing, check out the root-beer lady museum,
Would go back again!

Helpful

Brenda M

Verified

August 5, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

It was a very nice park, clean bathrooms, water available to fill the Rv by the pavilion.
Nice little swimming area down by the river. There is a lot of things to do close by, within a 30 mi area. Lake vermilion underground mines, wolf museum, hiking, canoeing, check out the root-beer lady museum,
Would go back again!

Helpful

Brenda M

Verified

August 5, 2021 Stayed at: 001, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

It was a very nice park, clean bathrooms, water available to fill the Rv by the pavilion.
Nice little swimming area down by the river. There is a lot of things to do close by, within a 30 mi area. Lake vermilion underground mines, wolf museum, hiking, canoeing, check out the root-beer lady museum,
Would go back again!

Helpful

Eric S

Verified

August 2, 2021 Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Excellent campground. Great views, clean sites and very clean bathrooms. Our kids had fun at the little beach. Will come back soon.

Helpful

Eric S

Verified

August 2, 2021 Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Excellent campground. Great views, clean sites and very clean bathrooms. Our kids had fun at the little beach. Will come back soon.

Helpful

Eric S

Verified

August 2, 2021 Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Excellent campground. Great views, clean sites and very clean bathrooms. Our kids had fun at the little beach. Will come back soon.

Helpful

Chad K

Verified

July 23, 2021 Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Nice access to gravel roads to run on and close to atv trail to bike on.

Helpful

Chad K

Verified

July 23, 2021 Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER

Nice access to gravel roads to run on and close to atv trail to bike on.

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.

Nearest town

Ely, MN - 12 mi

About 17 min to downtown

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

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service