River Access
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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.
372 reviews
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
Based on 372 reviews
Showing 368 reviews
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
One of the nicest state forest campgrounds we have stayed at. Very well managed, super clean bathrooms, property manager/campsite house very present and available to answer any questions. Canoe rental and firewood for purchase onsite is a great bonus. Most sites have nice tree cover so are decently private.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
A great spot to get a early start into BWCAW entry pt #33. Clean sites, super clean outhouses.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The grounds were very well kept, also vault toilets were very clean.
Host and manager do a very good job.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
One of the nicest state forest campgrounds we have stayed at. Very well managed, super clean bathrooms, property manager/campsite house very present and available to answer any questions. Canoe rental and firewood for purchase onsite is a great bonus. Most sites have nice tree cover so are decently private.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
A great spot to get a early start into BWCAW entry pt #33. Clean sites, super clean outhouses.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The grounds were very well kept, also vault toilets were very clean.
Host and manager do a very good job.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
One of the nicest state forest campgrounds we have stayed at. Very well managed, super clean bathrooms, property manager/campsite house very present and available to answer any questions. Canoe rental and firewood for purchase onsite is a great bonus. Most sites have nice tree cover so are decently private.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 030, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
A great spot to get a early start into BWCAW entry pt #33. Clean sites, super clean outhouses.
Helpful
August 1, 2022 Stayed at: 010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The grounds were very well kept, also vault toilets were very clean.
Host and manager do a very good job.
Helpful
August 19, 2022 Stayed at: 007, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The campsites were spaced out so that you didn’t feel crowded and the bathrooms were the cleanest pit toilets I have seen. I would recommend this campsite.
Helpful
Kawishiwi Ranger District, Ely, MN 55731 United States
Elevation: 449 ft
From Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 mi south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.
Last updated: October 7, 2026
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Replies within minutes
Population: 3,240
Nearby city: Duluth, MN
Approx. 73 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,470 ft
Ely, MN
RV Sites
