Recreation Sites Reopening to the Public
Select recreation sites in the Kawishiwi and LaCroix Ranger Districts to reopen July 31
Contact Information: Joy VanDrie–Public Affairs Staff Officer joy.vandrie@usda.gov
Secondary Contact: Fire Information Media Inquiries 218-219-0233
The Superior National Forest will reopen additional recreation sites in the western portion of the forest beginning July 31. Twenty-nine camping, boating, hiking, and other recreation sites will once again be available for public use. This marks the first time these locations have been accessible since they were closed on July 15 due to the July Lightning Wildfire Incident.
The following recreation sites are opening July 31:
Kawishiwi Ranger District
Boating Sites
- Cedar Lake Boat Access
- Ojibway Lake Boat Access
- Snowbank Lake Boat Access
- Tofte Lake Boat Access
Camping Areas
- Glacier Pond Site 1
- Greenstone Lake Site 2
- Ojibway Lake Site 1
- Ojibway Lake Site 2
- Pickerel Lake Site 1
- Pickerel Lake Site 2
- Secret Blackstone Site 1
- Snowbank Lake Site 11
- Snowbank Lake Site 12
- Snowbank Lake Site 7
- Snowbank Lake Site 8
- Tofte Lake Site 1
- Tofte Lake Site 2
- Tofte Lake Site 3
- Tofte Lake Site 4
- Triangle Lake Site 1
- Triangle Lake Site 2
Other Recreation Sites
- Kek/Snowbank W Trailhead
- North Country National Scenic Trail West
- Rookie Pond
- Secret Blackstone Trailhead
Lacroix Ranger District
Camping Areas
- 3 Picket Lake Dispersed Campsites
- Vermilion River Site 3
State Boating Site
- Lake One Carry Down
Three popular campgrounds in the area—Fenske Lake and Lake Jeanette Campgrounds off the Echo Trail and Fall Lake Campground off the Fernberg Road—will remain closed due to ongoing wildfire suppression operations. Forest Service staff continue to coordinate with partner agencies to determine when conditions will allow these campgrounds to safely reopen. Protecting both the public and firefighting personnel remains the highest priority.
For maps and more information on this reopening, please visit: https://fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is changing?
A. After careful consideration and coordination with partnering agencies, the Superior National Forest is opening a number boating, camping, hiking trails, and recreation sites to public access. These sites are in the Kawishiwi and LaCroix Ranger Districts.
Q: Why were these sites closed in the first place?
A. The July Lightning Wildfire Incident started in early July when a storm system brought heavy lightning and almost no rainfall. This quickly ignited over 25 active wildfires across the region, which were fueled by abnormally hot, dry, and windy weather. To ensure public safety and facilitate wildfire suppression activities, the Superior National Forest closed developed recreation sites within the wildfire areas.
Q: Are there any major campgrounds in the area still closed?
A. Yes. The Fenske Lake and Lake Jeanette Campgrounds off the Echo Trail and the Fall Lake Campground off the Fernberg Road remain closed at this time. This is due to significant wildfire suppression activity still occurring in these areas.
Q. When will the remaining recreation sites reopen?
A. There is no set date. Forest Service staff are continually coordinating with partner agencies to reopen sites as soon as conditions are safe for the public.
Q. How do I find daily updates or more about the current fires?
A. Visit InciWeb, the official National Fire Incident System: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires