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
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.
Jon M
VerifiedJune 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Bathroom were clean, campground was mowed and trimmed. There was no space to keep boat on the water so we had to trailer up each day.
Jon M
VerifiedJune 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Bathroom were clean, campground was mowed and trimmed. There was no space to keep boat on the water so we had to trailer up each day.
Jon M
VerifiedJune 15, 2021 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Bathroom were clean, campground was mowed and trimmed. There was no space to keep boat on the water so we had to trailer up each day.
Lois T
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site, No. 29, at the South Kawishiwi Campground had, we believe, the most beautiful view in the entire campground. We could see the river from dawn until dark, and the huge pines at the river's edge were extremely beautiful. Our only reason for giving this experience less than excellent rating was the horrible attack of black flies every time we opened the door. I know that this is way beyond the scope of things that are treatable by the Forest Service, but it will keep us from going back to any National Forest Campground until later this summer after the black flies have gone away. We were just anxious to cruise around with our pontoon boat, which turned out to be the best part of this trip. The black flies left us alone while we were out on the water, but were waiting for us soon after we came in to the landing. We will try again in September, which we think is the best time of the year to camp in the Superior National Forest.
Lois T
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site, No. 29, at the South Kawishiwi Campground had, we believe, the most beautiful view in the entire campground. We could see the river from dawn until dark, and the huge pines at the river's edge were extremely beautiful. Our only reason for giving this experience less than excellent rating was the horrible attack of black flies every time we opened the door. I know that this is way beyond the scope of things that are treatable by the Forest Service, but it will keep us from going back to any National Forest Campground until later this summer after the black flies have gone away. We were just anxious to cruise around with our pontoon boat, which turned out to be the best part of this trip. The black flies left us alone while we were out on the water, but were waiting for us soon after we came in to the landing. We will try again in September, which we think is the best time of the year to camp in the Superior National Forest.
Lois T
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site, No. 29, at the South Kawishiwi Campground had, we believe, the most beautiful view in the entire campground. We could see the river from dawn until dark, and the huge pines at the river's edge were extremely beautiful. Our only reason for giving this experience less than excellent rating was the horrible attack of black flies every time we opened the door. I know that this is way beyond the scope of things that are treatable by the Forest Service, but it will keep us from going back to any National Forest Campground until later this summer after the black flies have gone away. We were just anxious to cruise around with our pontoon boat, which turned out to be the best part of this trip. The black flies left us alone while we were out on the water, but were waiting for us soon after we came in to the landing. We will try again in September, which we think is the best time of the year to camp in the Superior National Forest.
Steven B
VerifiedJune 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The black flies were terrible,hot and muggy and we all got bite marks but that's spring time in northern Minnesota. The campground was clean and the toilets too. Fishing was okay with lots of northern being caught.. Had a good time sitting around the campfire and enjoying the view of the river.
Steven B
VerifiedJune 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The black flies were terrible,hot and muggy and we all got bite marks but that's spring time in northern Minnesota. The campground was clean and the toilets too. Fishing was okay with lots of northern being caught.. Had a good time sitting around the campfire and enjoying the view of the river.
Steven B
VerifiedJune 12, 2021 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The black flies were terrible,hot and muggy and we all got bite marks but that's spring time in northern Minnesota. The campground was clean and the toilets too. Fishing was okay with lots of northern being caught.. Had a good time sitting around the campfire and enjoying the view of the river.
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
