RV Sites
Karrie H
VerifiedAugust 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
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
🚐
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
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.
0 more sites below
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
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
Tom B
VerifiedAugust 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
steven b
VerifiedAugust 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
steven b
VerifiedAugust 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
steven b
VerifiedAugust 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
Donald P
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Outhouse was the cleanest we’ve ever used. Nice campsites.
Helpful
Donald P
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Outhouse was the cleanest we’ve ever used. Nice campsites.
Helpful
Donald P
VerifiedAugust 21, 2022 Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Outhouse was the cleanest we’ve ever used. Nice campsites.
Helpful
David S
VerifiedAugust 25, 2022 Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The park seemed very well managed and was very clean. Good location, being just a few miles from Ely on a beautiful river. A rather small and private feeling campground , just 30 sites available, some with direct river access. There are no showers, but good well water is available, and the vault restroom facilities were very clean. We could hear the wolves howling from across the river at night, that alone was worth our trip (up north), as we live in the twin cities.
Helpful
David S
VerifiedAugust 25, 2022 Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The park seemed very well managed and was very clean. Good location, being just a few miles from Ely on a beautiful river. A rather small and private feeling campground , just 30 sites available, some with direct river access. There are no showers, but good well water is available, and the vault restroom facilities were very clean. We could hear the wolves howling from across the river at night, that alone was worth our trip (up north), as we live in the twin cities.
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
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
Message us
Replies within minutes
Explore Ely, MN
Population: 3,240
Nearby city: Duluth, MN
Approx. 73 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 1,470 ft
Ely, MN
Weather & Conditions
Loading destination weather
From our Travel Guides
Managed by the USDA Forest Service