Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Crescent Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Crescent Lake Campground offers a variety of family camping experiences, including drive-in RV or tent sites, walk-in tent sites, group site, and a site accessible to those with mobility impairments. The campground winds along the shore of Crescent Lake, so most campsites are widely separated.
On the shore of the lake is an additional single backcountry campsite accessible by boat. For information about backcountry campsites, click here, and see the dispersed camping section below.
Fishing Crescent Lake for walleye, muskie, and northern is easy with a boat ramp and trailer storage area, a barrier-free fishing pier, and several boat storage areas for canoes. From Crescent Lake, it is possible to portage into several other lakes.
A quarter mile trail gives a short hiking opportunity through a forest thick with conifers and birch trees.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Campground water systems are shut off for winter and garbage service suspended. Please take your garbage home with you! Roads and access to outhouses are not plowed in winter. |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | Some sites are reservable through Recreation.gov. |
| Fees: | Single
|
| Restrictions: | Maximum of nine people per site, including the backcountry site. At the campground, there is space for one vehicle and one towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). Additional vehicles on the site require additional half fee and must park on the spur. No vehicles may park on the grass or where they impede traffic. |
| Closest Towns: | Tofte |
| Water: | Solar powered faucet at campground, no potable water at backcountry site |
| Restroom: | Outhouse (vault style) at campground, wilderness latrine at backcountry site |
| Operated By: | Concessionaire |
| Information Center: | Tofte Ranger District Email | Call | Address | Webpage |
General Information
Accessibility:One accessible site and accessible barrier free fishing pier.
Directions:
Crescent Lake Campground is on Crescent Lake off of FR170 about 24 miles NNE of Tofte.
- From Tofte, turn north on County 2 (Sawbill Trail) off of MN 61 just east of Tofte.
- 16 miles up the Sawbill Trail, turn right on FR170 at the stop sign.
- Proceed 8 miles on FR170 to the Crescent Lake Campground entrance.
- From Lutsen, take Co. 4 (Caribou Trail) to FR170 and turn left to the entrance.
General Notes:
There is a boat ramp with parking for trailers. Additionally, there is carry down boat access from some sites which front the water and a boat storage area for canoes and other small boats. A short trail offers easy walking. A campground host is on site 33 during the peak season.
Activities
Campground Camping
- Please use facilities provided such as fire rings, tent pads, and latrines.
- Dispose of waste in containers provided.
- Water faucets are for drinking water only, do not use as wash areas.
- Noise limits enforced, respect your fellow campers. .
| No. of Sites | 33 |
| No. of Accessible sites | 1 |
RV Camping
Sites are pull-in and not specifically designed for RVs. Most can accommodate a moderately sized vehicle, some may not be suitable for an RV.
Group Camping
Group site is located within the campground. This is not a wide open group site, it is instead a site with spaces for several small tents interconnected by paths. It is suitable for small groups of scouts or similar, not for large reunions or gatherings.
| No. of Sites | 1 |
| Reservation Info | Group site is reservable through National Recreation Reservation Service |
Dispersed Camping
There is one backcountry campsite on Crescent Lake south of the campground, access is a the boat launch at the campground. Additional backcountry sites are located on connected lakes, see the Crescent Lake Canoe Route. Use a Forest Map to locate campsites and accesses. For further information on backcountry campsites, see the Dispersed Camping page.
| Fees: | None required. |
|---|---|
| Reservation info: | First-come, first-served. |
| Usage: | A few reminders: Use areas provided for tents and fires, hang food packs, put your fire out each time you leave your campsite, treat or boil all water, wash yourself and dishes at least 150ft from any body of water, pack out all garbage and Leave No Trace. |
Lake and Pond Fishing
General Info:
AccessibilityThere is a accessible fishing pier at the campground.
| Fish Species | Walleye, northern pike, panfish |
| Fishing Platform | There is an accessible fishing pier. |