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
Roger H
VerifiedJune 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We stayed here the night before our Boy Scout crew entered boundary waters . Very good campgrounds.
Roger H
VerifiedJune 29, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Was a overnight stop for our scout troop before we entered boundary waters. It is a very nice camping spot.
Roger H
VerifiedJune 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This reservation was for a group of Boy Scouts going to boundary waters the next day. Good campsite, served our needs.
Roger H
VerifiedJune 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This reservation was for a group of Boy Scouts going to boundary waters the next day. Good campsite, served our needs.
Roger H
VerifiedJune 28, 2021 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This reservation was for a group of Boy Scouts going to boundary waters the next day. Good campsite, served our needs.
Brad B
VerifiedJune 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This is a great campground with some of the sites along the lake having great views of the water. Those sites also have trails leading down to the lake as well. The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a campground ever. They have a short hiking trail around the campground along with a boat launch and a swimming beach. My only real knock on the campground is the watering station isn't the easiest to access. If you have a big camper this could problem unless you carry a long hose. It also doesn't have a dump station but there is one located at the Ely Chamber of Commerce building on the corner of Hwy 1 & 169.
Brad B
VerifiedJune 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This is a great campground with some of the sites along the lake having great views of the water. Those sites also have trails leading down to the lake as well. The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a campground ever. They have a short hiking trail around the campground along with a boat launch and a swimming beach. My only real knock on the campground is the watering station isn't the easiest to access. If you have a big camper this could problem unless you carry a long hose. It also doesn't have a dump station but there is one located at the Ely Chamber of Commerce building on the corner of Hwy 1 & 169.
Brad B
VerifiedJune 26, 2021 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This is a great campground with some of the sites along the lake having great views of the water. Those sites also have trails leading down to the lake as well. The bathrooms were the cleanest I've seen in a campground ever. They have a short hiking trail around the campground along with a boat launch and a swimming beach. My only real knock on the campground is the watering station isn't the easiest to access. If you have a big camper this could problem unless you carry a long hose. It also doesn't have a dump station but there is one located at the Ely Chamber of Commerce building on the corner of Hwy 1 & 169.
Rebekah F
VerifiedJune 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Site was perfect and just what we needed. The vault toilets were the nicest and cleanest ones I had ever used! Guess we can thank the camp hosts for that.
Rebekah F
VerifiedJune 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Site was perfect and just what we needed. The vault toilets were the nicest and cleanest ones I had ever used! Guess we can thank the camp hosts for that.
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
