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
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
Rodney S
VerifiedJune 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Campground host was very helpful. Vault toilets were amazingly clean.
Vincent D
VerifiedJuly 3, 2026 • Stayed at: 031, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Best campground hosts ever.
Michael S
VerifiedJuly 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Very nice campground was very clean!! the campground host lady was very, very friendly and nice!! lots of privacy between the campsites!! landing was excellent for 18 ft boat and fishing was pretty good
Michael S
VerifiedJuly 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Campsite was very clean and the host was very friendly!!!! lots of trees for privacy in between the sites!!! landing was excellent and handled our 18 ft just fine!! we even got fish!!
Becca S
VerifiedJuly 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
The park was nice but the neighbors were obnoxious! Also the pictures on the website for the sites could have been better! The mosquitos were awful!
Amanda D
VerifiedJuly 13, 2026 • Stayed at: 004, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Very clean well maintained! Good size sites, the beach was nice clean and refreshing.
Ron S
VerifiedJuly 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Was a fine time staying. Will be back
Sherry S
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 010, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Beautiful, quiet campground.
Nice privately between sites.
Each site has large space around the picnic table.
Was greeted by the lovely camp host upon arrival.
Amy O
VerifiedJuly 23, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Beautiful campground. Very well kept. Cleanest latrines I’ve ever seen.
Philip K
VerifiedAugust 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Campground was well maintained. Vault toilets were always clean. Spacious campsites. Campground was quiet. Host was friendly, helpful, and accommodating.
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
Need help?
Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.
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
From our Travel Guides
