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
Paige W
VerifiedJuly 21, 2024 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Amazing camp ground. Nice beach, toilets are very clean and well maintained. We would definitely stay here again.
Pam H
VerifiedJuly 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We’ve waited awhile to get reservations. Could never get in on weekends so had to wait for retirement and go during the week.
Definitely worth the wait! So quiet, peaceful, great fishing and wonderful weather.
Pam H
VerifiedJuly 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We’ve waited awhile to get reservations. Could never get in on weekends so had to wait for retirement and go during the week.
Definitely worth the wait! So quiet, peaceful, great fishing and wonderful weather.
Pam H
VerifiedJuly 17, 2024 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
We’ve waited awhile to get reservations. Could never get in on weekends so had to wait for retirement and go during the week.
Definitely worth the wait! So quiet, peaceful, great fishing and wonderful weather.
Michael G
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Gnats and Mosquitos were so bad you couldn't open your mouth outside, and not anyone's fault it rained all three days.
Sites ( driveways) very small. Our in-laws couldn't even put their awning out. With rain, not convenient.
Michael G
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Gnats and Mosquitos were so bad you couldn't open your mouth outside, and not anyone's fault it rained all three days.
Sites ( driveways) very small. Our in-laws couldn't even put their awning out. With rain, not convenient.
Michael G
VerifiedJuly 16, 2024 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Gnats and Mosquitos were so bad you couldn't open your mouth outside, and not anyone's fault it rained all three days.
Sites ( driveways) very small. Our in-laws couldn't even put their awning out. With rain, not convenient.
Nancy Z
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is along the S. Kawishiwi River and provides great access to the water. It is very clean and well kept.
The outhouses are always clean. The sites offer a fair amount of variety whether tenting or using some sort of RV.
Dan, the campground host, will go out of his way to help you. He is quite conscientious about his duties and will take extra effort to assist you. He does an evening check to keep a quiet, well-kept campground.
This campground is a hidden gem.
Nancy Z
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is along the S. Kawishiwi River and provides great access to the water. It is very clean and well kept.
The outhouses are always clean. The sites offer a fair amount of variety whether tenting or using some sort of RV.
Dan, the campground host, will go out of his way to help you. He is quite conscientious about his duties and will take extra effort to assist you. He does an evening check to keep a quiet, well-kept campground.
This campground is a hidden gem.
Nancy Z
VerifiedSeptember 30, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is along the S. Kawishiwi River and provides great access to the water. It is very clean and well kept.
The outhouses are always clean. The sites offer a fair amount of variety whether tenting or using some sort of RV.
Dan, the campground host, will go out of his way to help you. He is quite conscientious about his duties and will take extra effort to assist you. He does an evening check to keep a quiet, well-kept campground.
This campground is a hidden gem.
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
