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
Samantha A
VerifiedAugust 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Great private campsite. Short drive to Ely. Cleanest pit toilets ever seen. Great visit!
Peter B
VerifiedJuly 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Price of a bundle of wood is high. $8! Bought the exact same bundle 3 miles down the road for $5. Appeared to be the same vendor. Otherwise this is a great campground! Lots of privacy! Nice and quiet. Camp host is a nice guy and does a good job.
Peter B
VerifiedJuly 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Price of a bundle of wood is high. $8! Bought the exact same bundle 3 miles down the road for $5. Appeared to be the same vendor. Otherwise this is a great campground! Lots of privacy! Nice and quiet. Camp host is a nice guy and does a good job.
Peter B
VerifiedJuly 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Price of a bundle of wood is high. $8! Bought the exact same bundle 3 miles down the road for $5. Appeared to be the same vendor. Otherwise this is a great campground! Lots of privacy! Nice and quiet. Camp host is a nice guy and does a good job.
Michele H
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This is our second time here and we are definitely going to be back. It rained most of the time we were here but it forced us to relax and just hang out It was a good way to spend the first half of our trip
Michele H
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This is our second time here and we are definitely going to be back. It rained most of the time we were here but it forced us to relax and just hang out It was a good way to spend the first half of our trip
Michele H
VerifiedJuly 6, 2023 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
This is our second time here and we are definitely going to be back. It rained most of the time we were here but it forced us to relax and just hang out It was a good way to spend the first half of our trip
Gene S
VerifiedJune 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Location is all nature and beautiful. Restrooms are very well taken care of by the camp host, clean an decorated nicely. The site we had, 27, was small for our 5th wheel. Other sites would have been better for our unit. We enjoyed our stay.
Gene S
VerifiedJune 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Location is all nature and beautiful. Restrooms are very well taken care of by the camp host, clean an decorated nicely. The site we had, 27, was small for our 5th wheel. Other sites would have been better for our unit. We enjoyed our stay.
Gene S
VerifiedJune 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 027, Loop: SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER
Location is all nature and beautiful. Restrooms are very well taken care of by the camp host, clean an decorated nicely. The site we had, 27, was small for our 5th wheel. Other sites would have been better for our unit. We enjoyed our stay.
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
