South Kawishiwi River
South Kawishiwi River is a national forest campground in Minnesota. Hookups: electric.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- Minnesota
- Coordinates
- 47.81556, -91.73139
- Hookups
- Electric
- Activities
- Biking, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Hunting, Swimming Site, Wildlife Viewing
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT: 218-365-7600, CONCESSIONAIRE (SUMMER): 218-365-2963
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About South Kawishiwi River
Overview 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. 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 Supe
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Superior Fuel Company · 7.8 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 153 designated routes (165 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi Campground | Private campground | under 0.1 mi | — | — |
| Old Birch Dam Campgrd | National forest camping area | 2.6 mi | — | — |
| Superior National Forest | Free campsite | 2.7 mi | Free | — |
| Birch Lake Site 1 | National forest camping area | 2.8 mi | — | — |
| Superior National Forest | Free campsite | 3.3 mi | Free | — |
| Birch Lake Site 2 | National forest camping area | 3.3 mi | — | — |
Open South Kawishiwi River in DryRig
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Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB), USFS and BLM recreation sites. Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.