Iron Lake
  Site 2
Iron Lake
Site 6
Iron Lake

About Iron Lake

Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size. Fishing and canoeing are its biggest draws, as the lake provides access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Ham Lake Fire passed through the campground in 2007. Visitors may be surprised at how the burned area has grown back up. 

Available sites

6 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Canoeing

Canoeing

Spring Summer Fall
Fishing

Fishing

Year-round

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • Lake Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

6 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: IRON RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 003, Loop: IRON RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 004, Loop: IRON RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 005, Loop: IRON RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 006, Loop: IRON RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 007, Loop: IRON RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews

80 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Iron Lake campground offers a beautiful, clean, and quiet setting with well-maintained sites and amenities, making it an enjoyable destination for nature lovers. Campers appreciated the privacy of the sites and the access to recreational activities like kayaking and hiking. However, some guests experienced noise issues from generators and neighbors, which affected their overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many expressed a desire to return, highlighting the campground's charm and natural beauty.

Based on guest feedback

4.1

Overall rating

Based on 80 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 51.2% (41)
4 stars 28.7% (23)
3 stars 6.3% (5)
2 stars 10.0% (8)
1 star 3.8% (3)

Showing 80 reviews

Andrew G

Verified

October 13, 2025 Stayed at: 002, Loop: IRON

I stayed at Site #2 on Iron Lake; it’s next to the trail access to Iron Lake, so there were vehicles coming in and out throughout the day. It wasn’t an issue as the noise was minimal. The site is quite secluded with newer quaking aspen providing a lot of privacy. The site is about 20 yards back from the road. Wind was an issue though, so using the guy lines on a tent are a must. I was there at the end of the open season, but everyone was conscientious of each other and respectful. BWCAW entry point 49 is right next to the site, as mentioned earlier, a reference point for starting. It’s a good campground to be within an hour’s driving of Gunflint Lodge and trails, Magnetic Rock trail, the Kekekabic trail and Chik-Wauk museum, all worth seeing. The pit toilet in an actual building, a bear resistant dumpster, and water point with drinkable water that you don’t need to pump by hand were quite welcome. Those got shut down on the 6th of October, the end of the season, though the campground is open after that without the amenities, or fees. Overall, it wasn’t an excellent campground, site and experience and if I had the chance again for a Boundary Waters trip, I’d stay here again.

Helpful

Andrew G

Verified

October 13, 2025 Stayed at: 002, Loop: IRON

I stayed at Site #2 on Iron Lake; it’s next to the trail access to Iron Lake, so there were vehicles coming in and out throughout the day. It wasn’t an issue as the noise was minimal. The site is quite secluded with newer quaking aspen providing a lot of privacy. The site is about 20 yards back from the road. Wind was an issue though, so using the guy lines on a tent are a must. I was there at the end of the open season, but everyone was conscientious of each other and respectful. BWCAW entry point 49 is right next to the site, as mentioned earlier, a reference point for starting. It’s a good campground to be within an hour’s driving of Gunflint Lodge and trails, Magnetic Rock trail, the Kekekabic trail and Chik-Wauk museum, all worth seeing. The pit toilet in an actual building, a bear resistant dumpster, and water point with drinkable water that you don’t need to pump by hand were quite welcome. Those got shut down on the 6th of October, the end of the season, though the campground is open after that without the amenities, or fees. Overall, it wasn’t an excellent campground, site and experience and if I had the chance again for a Boundary Waters trip, I’d stay here again.

Helpful

James O

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 007, Loop: IRON

Sites and amenities are well cared for…views by the lake are fantastic!

Helpful

James O

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 007, Loop: IRON

Sites and amenities are well cared for…views by the lake are fantastic!

Helpful

Timothy M

Verified

August 22, 2025 Stayed at: 004, Loop: IRON

We were in campsite #4. The group next to us in campsite #5 ran a generator most of the day and all night long. We told them about the time frames to run a generator as posted on the information board at the camp entrance. They didn't care. One of there members has COPD and needed to use a CPAP machine. If they need to run this then they need to camp somewhere with AC electric hook up. We left several days early because we were fed up with all the noise.

I think there needs to be a Ranger stopping by to check the campsite--especially at times when generators should be shut off.

We love this campground. This was the fourth time we camped there. It was also the worst experience we had here.

Helpful

Bradley T

Verified

August 22, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: IRON

Nice little campground by the lake. Only 7 spots and a few are a bit tricky to get a camper into. Recommend small to medium campers. Enough trees to separate you, but site 3 was close enough to 4 to hear a conversation. Site 1 is a first come, but also the furthest from the lake.

Helpful

Timothy M

Verified

August 22, 2025 Stayed at: 004, Loop: IRON

We were in campsite #4. The group next to us in campsite #5 ran a generator most of the day and all night long. We told them about the time frames to run a generator as posted on the information board at the camp entrance. They didn't care. One of there members has COPD and needed to use a CPAP machine. If they need to run this then they need to camp somewhere with AC electric hook up. We left several days early because we were fed up with all the noise.

I think there needs to be a Ranger stopping by to check the campsite--especially at times when generators should be shut off.

We love this campground. This was the fourth time we camped there. It was also the worst experience we had here.

Helpful

Bradley T

Verified

August 22, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: IRON

Nice little campground by the lake. Only 7 spots and a few are a bit tricky to get a camper into. Recommend small to medium campers. Enough trees to separate you, but site 3 was close enough to 4 to hear a conversation. Site 1 is a first come, but also the furthest from the lake.

Helpful

James O

Verified

August 21, 2025 Stayed at: 006, Loop: IRON

Clean, Quiet, Beautiful Camp. Looking forward to our next trip to Iron Lake!!!

Helpful

James O

Verified

August 21, 2025 Stayed at: 006, Loop: IRON

Clean, Quiet, Beautiful Camp. Looking forward to our next trip to Iron Lake!!!

Helpful

Location & Directions for Iron Lake

Gunflint Ranger District, Grand Marais, MN 55604 United States

Elevation: 573 ft

Getting There

From Grand Marais, Minnesota, take Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) 36 mi north, turn left on County Road 92 and travel 2 mi on a narrow gravel road to Iron Lake Campground.

Nearest town

Grand Marais, MN - 38 mi

About 49 min to downtown

Highway access

The nearest major road is Gunflint Trail (County Road 12), which connects to Grand Marais and provides access to Iron Lake Campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 23, 2026

Message us

Need help?

Our team is here to help you find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Message us

Replies within minutes

Explore Grand Marais, MN

Population: 1,796

Elevation: 614 ft

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by the USDA Forest Service