Camping & Cabins

Backcountry campsites are the same style of campsites you may know from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but since they are not in the BWCAW, they require no permits or fees. These single sites outside of a campground have a fire grate, flat space for a tent, wilderness latrine (an outhouse without the house), and may have as picnic table. There is a group size limit of nine. Check out Dispersed Camping for backcountry sites.

Campsites are first come, first served.

• Please use only the facilities that are provided for fires, tents, and waste. You are not allowed to make additional fire rings, tent pads, trenches, or cat holes.
• You will need to pack out your garbage.

Camper Cabins are available at select campgrounds.   Each cozy wooden cabin is equipped with bunks, wooden bed platforms, and foam mattresses.  Bring your own sleeping gear.  Numbers of people accommodated vary between cabins.  The cabins have a counter area, but there is no stove or water.  You will want to bring your own cooking equipment. There is no bathroom. Outhouses nearby are shared with the rest of the campground. 

If your idea of camping is literally off the beaten trail, most of the Superior National Forest outside of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is open for dispersed tent camping with no permits or reservations needed. This is camping outside of designated sites - just you and the woods without latrines, fire rings, or any additions. Please follow Leave No Trace ethics to make sure no evidence of your visit remains. Check out Dispersed Camping for information on dispersed camping.

• Be aware of fire restrictions that apply to campfires outside of developed campsites. In dry conditions, campfires may be banned in the general forest, but still allowed in campgrounds.
• Parking motor vehicles or trailers is not allowed where it will impede traffic, harm vegetation, or harm soils.
• You may not cut live trees or construct any “improvements” at your camp, including trenches.
• Use a camp stove, or disperse all signs of a campfire if you use one. Do not leave a rock ring.
• You may not leave your camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours.

Fee campgrounds provide sites that can usually accommodate tents, tent trailers, or RVs, as well as a few hike-in and tent only sites. These campgrounds include accessible outhouses, drinking water faucets, garbage and recycling, and possibly trails, fishing piers, boat launches, picnic areas, beaches, showers, and electricity. Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, and level tent pad. Check out Cabin Rentals, Campground Camping, Group Camping and RV Camping for fee sites.

• You’ll need to visit the pay station at the campground to register and pay the fee, or pay when you reserve a site if applicable.
• Cash or check payments for non-reserved sites accepted at all campgrounds.
• Payments for non-reserved sites through the Recreation.gov app available at some locations. Account must be created ahead of visit.
• Spurs on most sites hold one vehicle and one trailer. Additional vehicles may not park on grass or roads and require an additional nightly fee.
• Limit of nine people on single, premium, and long term sites; group sites available. 14 day limit outside of long term sites. Cabins vary in size.
• Interagency Senior & Interagency Access passes and tribal memberships honored.
• Some sites in most campgrounds may be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation Service
• Some sites in all campgrounds are available on a first come, first served basis.

Groups at campground campsites are limited in size to 9 people, so special group camping areas are available at some campgrounds to accommodate larger groups.  Size limits at group campsites varies with location.  Remember that when camping with a larger group, you should make a special effort to practice Leave No Trace because a larger group can leave much larger traces!

Rustic campgrounds have fewer than ten sites and there is no charge for camping. Facilities include outhouses, tables, and fire rings but there is no drinking water or garbage cans. Sites are generally for tents, but some will accommodate a small RV or tent trailer. These campgrounds were often developed with fishing in mind, so be sure to pack your poles. Check out Cabin Rentals, Campground Camping, Group Camping and RV Camping for rustic sites.

Campsites are first come, first served.

• Maximum group size of nine.
• Only use the facilities that are provided for fires, tents, and waste.
• Do not make additional fire rings, tent pads, trenches, or cat holes.
• You will need to pack out your garbage.
• Quiet hours are enforced at developed campsites. Be aware that sounds from your campsite including radios, generators, or musical instruments should not disturb other campers even outside of quiet hours.

RV (Recreational Vehicle) camping is camping at campgrounds that are suitable for RVs, with either long enough parking spaces for an RV, or pull through sites.   Some RV suitable sites may include electricity for a higher fee.  None of the campgrounds on the Superior National Forest have all their sites suited for RVs.  Below are listed campgrounds which offer RV camping.  Click on a campground for for information on how many RV sites are available, availability of electricity, reservations, and more.

Wilderness Camping is camping within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. There are many special considerations for this special place. View the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness pages for more information on camping in the wilderness.

• Plan Your Trip
• Permits and International Travel
• Regulations and Rules
• Trip Planning Guide (pdf)
• More About Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness