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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mark H
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Vine Wally like this particular campground. It always clean and well kept. The vault toilets are the nicest in the national forest campground system. haha They really do keep them clean. Cell service depends on carrier and campsite. T-Mobile works pretty well.
Paul B
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is a diamond in the rough: beautiful sites (several of which have a dedicated path to the riverside), 10 mi from Ely, super quiet, not technically a dark skies park but weather permitting, you will see some beautiful stars. Vault toilets were SPOTLESS. Camp hosts friendly. No dump station or showers but both are available in Ely. Will definitely stay again.
Mark H
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Vine Wally like this particular campground. It always clean and well kept. The vault toilets are the nicest in the national forest campground system. haha They really do keep them clean. Cell service depends on carrier and campsite. T-Mobile works pretty well.
Paul B
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is a diamond in the rough: beautiful sites (several of which have a dedicated path to the riverside), 10 mi from Ely, super quiet, not technically a dark skies park but weather permitting, you will see some beautiful stars. Vault toilets were SPOTLESS. Camp hosts friendly. No dump station or showers but both are available in Ely. Will definitely stay again.
Mark H
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Vine Wally like this particular campground. It always clean and well kept. The vault toilets are the nicest in the national forest campground system. haha They really do keep them clean. Cell service depends on carrier and campsite. T-Mobile works pretty well.
Paul B
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 026, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This campground is a diamond in the rough: beautiful sites (several of which have a dedicated path to the riverside), 10 mi from Ely, super quiet, not technically a dark skies park but weather permitting, you will see some beautiful stars. Vault toilets were SPOTLESS. Camp hosts friendly. No dump station or showers but both are available in Ely. Will definitely stay again.
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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