About Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
Number of accommodations: 29
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
General Store
Showers
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Showers
On Site Services
- General Store
Water Access
- Lake Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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29 Sites Available
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Reviews (396)
What Guests Are Saying
Sawbill Lake Campground offers a stunning natural setting with clean, well-maintained facilities, making it a favorite for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff, convenient outfitter store, and easy access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for various activities like paddling, fishing, and hiking. While some campers noted occasional noise from less considerate visitors, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Sawbill Lake Campground offers a stunning natural setting with clean, well-maintained facilities, making it a favorite for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors appreciate the friendly staff, convenient outfitter store, and easy access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) for various activities like paddling, fishing, and hiking. While some campers noted occasional noise from less considerate visitors, the overall experience remains positive, with many expressing a desire to return.
Review Summary
DOUGLAS B
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
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DOUGLAS B
VerifiedSeptember 12, 2024 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
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Ross M
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
We were heading into the Boundary Waters. The campsite is at a very convenient location immediately adjacent to the outfitters we rented the canoe from. Water was readily available and the vault toilets were clean. All I ask for from a National Forest campground.
Ross M
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2024 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
We were heading into the Boundary Waters. The campsite is at a very convenient location immediately adjacent to the outfitters we rented the canoe from. Water was readily available and the vault toilets were clean. All I ask for from a National Forest campground.
Pamela A
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
So incredibly disappointed with what Sawbill Lake Campground has become. The transition from FCFS to partial reservations is bad enough, but now the rigs with generators, the young people with a generator to run a table saw and chain saw, loud people arguing in the middle of the night , and uncontrolled barking dogs... all over the top. And this was during the week, not the weekend! Historically this was a campground for those who enjoy tent camping and the BWCA wilderness, including the peace and quite of nature. NOT GENERATORS ALL DAY LONG!!! The reservation system needs to go...the host spent every morning changing out the tags from all the no-shows. Colossal waste of time and energy, not to mention no one else can use the site! There should be huge fines for no-shows. IMO, the Forest Service needs to stop the reservation system at Sawbill and institute a NO-GENERATOR policy. Very disappointing experience, we left 2 days early. I tried to cancel the last 2 nights so someone else could reserve it, but Recreation.gov does not allow it until AFTER the last day of the reservation. Unbelievable system. After coming to Sawbill for decades, we will not be back...
Pamela A
VerifiedSeptember 2, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
So incredibly disappointed with what Sawbill Lake Campground has become. The transition from FCFS to partial reservations is bad enough, but now the rigs with generators, the young people with a generator to run a table saw and chain saw, loud people arguing in the middle of the night , and uncontrolled barking dogs... all over the top. And this was during the week, not the weekend! Historically this was a campground for those who enjoy tent camping and the BWCA wilderness, including the peace and quite of nature. NOT GENERATORS ALL DAY LONG!!! The reservation system needs to go...the host spent every morning changing out the tags from all the no-shows. Colossal waste of time and energy, not to mention no one else can use the site! There should be huge fines for no-shows. IMO, the Forest Service needs to stop the reservation system at Sawbill and institute a NO-GENERATOR policy. Very disappointing experience, we left 2 days early. I tried to cancel the last 2 nights so someone else could reserve it, but Recreation.gov does not allow it until AFTER the last day of the reservation. Unbelievable system. After coming to Sawbill for decades, we will not be back...
Chris O
VerifiedAugust 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
Great week, Aug 18-23. No bugs, no rain and lots of fish
Sawbill rental - Baker put-in - Peterson - Kelly - Burnt. Nice camp on peninsula - day trip to Smoke illusive fish there.
Portage from Baker to Peterson was a bit challenging - all the rest of the portages were as anticipated.
Reservation process was easy and seamless.
Thank you BWCA
Chris O
VerifiedAugust 24, 2024 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
Great week, Aug 18-23. No bugs, no rain and lots of fish
Sawbill rental - Baker put-in - Peterson - Kelly - Burnt. Nice camp on peninsula - day trip to Smoke illusive fish there.
Portage from Baker to Peterson was a bit challenging - all the rest of the portages were as anticipated.
Reservation process was easy and seamless.
Thank you BWCA
Paul B
VerifiedAugust 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
We try to do this trip each year
Paul B
VerifiedAugust 19, 2024 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
We try to do this trip each year
Location Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest
Address:
Sawbill Lake Campground Superior National Forest
Tofte, MN, 55615
United States
The campground is located north of Tofte, Minnesota. Travel to Tofte via Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow Sawbill Trail 24 miles until it ends at the entrance to the campground.
Sawbill Lake Campground is accessible via Highway 61, which runs along Lake Superior's north shore. From Highway 61, travelers can reach the campground by turning onto Sawbill Trail.
Latitude & Longitude: 47.8631 / -90.8853
Elevation: 558 feet
Policies & Rules
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 4, 2026
