About South Kawishiwi River
Available sites
21 total sites
RV Sites
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Boating
Fishing
Year-round
Fishing
Spring
Boating
Summer
Boating
Fall
Boating
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
River Access
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- River Access
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 (372)
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
Vincent D
VerifiedJuly 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Best campground hosts ever.
Rodney S
VerifiedJune 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Campground host was very helpful. Vault toilets were amazingly clean.
Jon D
June 26, 2026
Incrediblecampground right on the Kawishiwi River with easy access from there to Birch Lake. The group shelter is a beautiful, historical log cabin with a large fireplace that is perfect for holding group functions. We hosted a potluck here after a day of trail stewardship and everyone had a great time. I have to say, hats off to whoever is cleaning and decorating the restrooms here because they were probably the cleanest and best decorated I've ever seen in a campground like this!
Jon D
VerifiedJune 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Incredible, beautiful campground right on the Kawishiwi River with easy access from there to Birch Lake. The camp sites were all very nice. I have to say, hats off to whoever is cleaning and decorating the restrooms here because they were probably the cleanest and best decorated I've ever seen in a campground like this!
Julie H
VerifiedJune 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Very pretty site with a window view of the lake. Campground overall was quiet, except for the black flies which just hatched. We enjoyed paddling on the river during the day. Campground was clean
jessica m
VerifiedJune 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
What beautiful and peaceful place. The pit toilets were the cleanest pit toilets I've ever seen. The campground host was very friendly and informative, they keep the campground in great shape. My site was level and easy to get into, and very spacious. The river is calm and warm, the little swimming beach was a nice bonus. The only downside was that the bugs were horrendous. I don't mean that there were a lot of bugs, because saying "a lot of bugs" doesn't even come close to describing the swarms of every kind of biting bug found in Minnesota. We managed with a screen house, oscillating fan, tiki torches, and tons of bug spray. The stay was worth all the bug bites.
Angela B
VerifiedJune 1, 2026 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Site 29 was absolutely gorgeous. The lake view and the path leading to the lake was great. We will definitely be back.
Robin J
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Sites are well spaced and maintained very well.
Robin J
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Sites are well spaced and maintained very well.
Robin J
VerifiedDecember 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Sites are well spaced and maintained very well.
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
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
Ely, MN
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