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
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)
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
Andrew P
VerifiedJuly 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Campground is nice and the vault toilets are well cared for. Most sites have good privacy. The swimming area is great! The river was much warmer than anticipated. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes swarmed all of the time.
Mira T
VerifiedJuly 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site was beautiful and private. There is a lovely swim spot nearby and the camp hosts were friendly. Great spot, just come prepared for bugs if you're traveling in the summer.
Mira T
VerifiedJuly 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site was beautiful and private. There is a lovely swim spot nearby and the camp hosts were friendly. Great spot, just come prepared for bugs if you're traveling in the summer.
Mira T
VerifiedJuly 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Our site was beautiful and private. There is a lovely swim spot nearby and the camp hosts were friendly. Great spot, just come prepared for bugs if you're traveling in the summer.
Michael H
VerifiedJuly 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The outhouses were extremely clean, nicest I have seen.
Michael H
VerifiedJuly 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The outhouses were extremely clean, nicest I have seen.
Michael H
VerifiedJuly 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The outhouses were extremely clean, nicest I have seen.
Brenda R
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Site 27. The lake view and steps down to first platform awesome. Then there are steps all the way down to the river. Hosts are over the top nice and we both winter in FL. They let me stay in this site as it turned into FF so I didn’t have to move. Park is wonderful and very clean. No flush toilets or showers but has electric. Water fill is in parking lot by the lodge. Went on to Fall Lake (nice) and Bear head State park. Recommend staying at SKR. Will return.
Brenda R
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Site 27. The lake view and steps down to first platform awesome. Then there are steps all the way down to the river. Hosts are over the top nice and we both winter in FL. They let me stay in this site as it turned into FF so I didn’t have to move. Park is wonderful and very clean. No flush toilets or showers but has electric. Water fill is in parking lot by the lodge. Went on to Fall Lake (nice) and Bear head State park. Recommend staying at SKR. Will return.
Brenda R
VerifiedJuly 28, 2025 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Site 27. The lake view and steps down to first platform awesome. Then there are steps all the way down to the river. Hosts are over the top nice and we both winter in FL. They let me stay in this site as it turned into FF so I didn’t have to move. Park is wonderful and very clean. No flush toilets or showers but has electric. Water fill is in parking lot by the lodge. Went on to Fall Lake (nice) and Bear head State park. Recommend staying at SKR. Will return.
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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