South Kawishiwi River

Photo · FS

OpenSeason 05-05 – 10-21

ReservableAccess

33Sites

107 ftMax rig

The place

South Kawishiwi River Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 10 miles from Ely, Minnesota. It offers fishing, boating and other recreational activities in a relaxing outdoor setting. The campground has sites with and without electric hookups, as well as one group day use area great for family picnics, birthday parties and other gatherings of up to 35 people. Recreation Canoeing is a main attraction. The Kawishiwi River provides access to Birch Lake to the south and the Boundary Waters to the north. Keep reading

When traveling in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildnerness, a permit is required. Canoe rentals are available by contacting the host. Closer to shore, visitors can enjoy an afternoon of swimming at the campground's grassy beach, hiking the 1-mile Kawishiwi River Forest Trail or trying their luck at fishing for northern pike, perch and walleye. A boat ramp is located on-site. View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest. Facilities The campground offers individual campsites and one group picnic area that can be reserved for day use. Sites are spacious, private, well-maintained and shaded. Visitors will find vault toilets, drinking water and trash bins within the facility. Firewood is available for purchase. Natural Features The scenic Kawishiwi River boasts clear, cold and calm waters lined with boreal forest and wetland ecosystems. Wildlife abounds in Superior National Forest, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. The campground lies in a mixed aspen, birch and conifer forest. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, is comprised of 3-million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963. Nearby Attractions Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways. Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over 1-million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extends nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Additional sites of interest

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 33

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric	ADA
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	001	standard electric	63 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	002	standard electric	57 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	003	standard electric	78 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	004	standard electric	64 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	005	standard electric	62 ft	50
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	006	standard electric	56 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	007	standard electric	63 ft	50
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	008	standard electric	65 ft	50
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	009	standard electric	54 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	010	standard electric	56 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	011	standard electric	60 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	012	standard electric	70 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	013	standard electric	60 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	014	standard electric	58 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	015	standard nonelectric	56 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	016	standard nonelectric	59 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	017	standard nonelectric	60 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	018	standard nonelectric	63 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	019	standard nonelectric	60 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	020	standard nonelectric	51 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	021	standard electric	52 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	022	standard electric	66 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	023	standard electric	59 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	024	standard nonelectric	60 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	025	standard nonelectric	107 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	026	standard electric	49 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	027	standard electric	40 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	028	standard electric	71 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	029	standard electric	49 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	030	standard electric	87 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	031	standard electric	88 ft	30
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	032 HOST	management	73 ft	—
SOUTH KAWISHIWI RIVER	033	group shelter electric	—	15	yes

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Who runs it

Operated by Vista Recreation, a private concessionaire, under permit from the agency.

SRC · Operator link · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in MN-08. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard