CRESCENT LAKE (MN)
CRESCENT LAKE (MN)
CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

About Crescent Lake (MN)

Crescent Lake is an undeveloped lake surrounded entirely by the remote Superior National Forest. This quiet campground has waterfront campsites with easy access to fishing, exploring the nearby wilderness and simply enjoying the beauty of the natural area. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of 3 million acres. The forest spans 150 mi along the United States-Canada border. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Available sites

20 total sites

Activities & Attractions

Nearby

Fishing

Fishing

Year-round
Hiking

Hiking

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
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see availability.

20 Sites Available

Site
Price
⛺ 001, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 003, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 005, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 006, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 008, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 009, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 010, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 012, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 013, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 016, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 017, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 020, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 021, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 023, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 025, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 026, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 027, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Back-in Site
🚐 030, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
🚐 031, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) RV
Pet Friendly · 30 × 30 ft · Gravel
⛺ 034, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN) Tent
Gravel · Pet Friendly · Campfire

Reviews

154 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Crescent Lake offers a beautiful and well-maintained campground with clean facilities, friendly hosts, and a serene environment ideal for outdoor activities like fishing and boating. Many reviewers appreciated the tidy, private campsites and the helpfulness of the camp host, Jack, and his dog Reggie. While there were some concerns about certain campsite conditions and additional fees for extra vehicles, the overall experience is highly rated, with many campers eager to return.

Based on guest feedback

4.6

Overall rating

Based on 154 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 72.1% (111)
4 stars 19.5% (30)
3 stars 7.1% (11)
2 stars 0.0% (0)
1 star 1.3% (2)

Showing 154 reviews

Eh K

Verified

May 20, 2026 Stayed at: 005, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

We stayed at site number 5. A good 2-3 minutes walk to site from parking area. Clean site with a beautiful view. It is near a boat launch so can get a little noisy from time to time. Bathroom is well stocked and clean. The host and his lab were very nice.

Helpful

Dan A

Verified

January 2, 2026 Stayed at: 003, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

Our party of 5 had a lovely night at one of the walk-in sites at Crescent Lake as we were sorting and packing our gear in preparation for a 5-day back country trip. We were taught a valuable lesson by a thoughtful chipmunk about not leaving food unattended even in closed containers. Appreciated the picnic table.

Helpful

Cindy M

Verified

December 23, 2025 Stayed at: 005, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

This is our favorite campground. We love the walk-in sites 1-5. We have reserved sites 1,3, and 5 for a family camping trip for several years. Sites 2 and 4 are beautiful but first come first serve. We have found that if we arrive on a Thursday one or both of these sites might be available. Our favorites in order starting with our favorite are 5, 4, 2, 3, and 1. Our priority is private and rustic so the walk to 5 is a positive rather than a negative. If I wanted to be closest to the bathroom/car area then I would rank #2 highest.

Helpful

Madison O

Verified

October 2, 2025 Stayed at: 003, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

Great spot. Friendly neighbors. The drive to the camp spot is about a 40 minute drive without service. Outhouse was bug free! Bring your own fire wood. This specific spot was maybe a quarter mile walk from the vehicle, so keep in mind for packing. Very nice lake access! Large spot!

Helpful

Ethan M

Verified

September 28, 2025 Stayed at: 016, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

The campsite was amazing, very nice, and private away from your neighbors. Place is well set up with trash bins, and bathrooms near by, as well as a boat launch. One thing I would like to note, when we first arrive and were starting to set up the camp host came by when I was setting up the tent. I had noticed he was there but I don't think he knew I had noticed yet. I watched him reach into the backend of my car. That's when I started to yell to get his attention. At that time I did not know he was the camp host. He said he was just coming to check on us to make sure we had the right campsite. Not sure if this is how he usually acts but someone should look into that and or talk with him about that. Leaving list part here so all campers are aware.

Helpful

Ron K

Verified

September 21, 2025 Stayed at: 009, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

Nice campground. Pretty scenery. Jake and Reggie (hosts) were friendly and helpful. Several tent only sites, but some can accommodate camper trailers. Water and vault toilets. I'd be happy to return. Some rain and coolish weather for September.

Helpful

Howard A

Verified

September 17, 2025 Stayed at: 008, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

We've camped at Crescent Lake several times. Our experience has always been good. The campground is quiet with a number of above average sites. We are tent campers and we can always find a reasonable pitch. The host is friendly and affable. Toilet facilities are clean, there are disposal areas for trash and potable water is available. We look forward to our next stay.

Helpful

Adam T

Verified

September 7, 2025 Stayed at: 013, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

Great campground on an undeveloped lake! The campground host, Jack, was a pleasure to chat with. We will be back!

Helpful

Karl P

Verified

August 28, 2025 Stayed at: 001, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

Great experience. Only comment is that I wish we knew how many tent spaces there was in each site. Site 3 was a little tight for 4 two man tents. Otherwise great spot and a very nice camp host.

Helpful

Christopher C

Verified

August 24, 2025 Stayed at: 023, Loop: CRESCENT LAKE (MN)

Clean sites, clean restrooms. Well taken care of. I appreciate the location with quick access to a number of BWCAW entry points for day tripping.

Helpful

Location & Directions for Crescent Lake (MN)

Crescent Lake , 3236 The Grade (Forest Road 170), Tofte, MN 55615 United States

Elevation: 542 ft

Getting There

Travel Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore to Tofte, Minnesota. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow the Sawbill Trail for 16 mi to The Grade (Forest Road 170). Turn right onto the The Grade and...

Nearest town

Tofte, MN - 24 mi

About 38 min to downtown

Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

12PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • Limit of two vehicles per campsite, not including trailers; $10 fee for second vehicle. Extra vehicle can be paid online in advance or in person onsite. If paid onsite, you won't be charged the $2 add-on fee; free public parking lot is also available onsite near the campground
  • Dogs are allowed but must be leashed
  • Fires in campfire pits only and must be completely extinguished; cutting of live vegetation is not allowed
  • Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside a hard-sided vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
  • Click here for more information on Superior National Forest
  • Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: November 4, 2026

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Explore Tofte, MN

Nearby city: Duluth, MN

Approx. 96 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 627 ft

Tofte, MN

Weather & Conditions

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Managed by the USDA Forest Service