How much does camping cost at Iron Lake?

Camping fees at Iron Lake range from $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Iron Lake first-come first-served or reservation?

Iron Lake accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Iron Lake before I book?

Yes! Iron Lake has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Iron Lake?

Iron Lake is open May 08 to October 04. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Iron Lake?

Iron Lake does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Iron Lake?

Cell phone service at Iron Lake is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Iron Lake have?

Iron Lake has 7 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Iron Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Iron Lake. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Iron Lake?

Iron Lake offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Iron Lake

Q: Can I have a campfire at Iron Lake?

Fire policies at Iron Lake: Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.77

61 reviews

GUNFLINT RANGER DISTRICT, IRON LAKE CAMPGROUND, 2020 W. HIGHWAY 61, GRAND MARAIS, MN 55604, USA

Summer Destination

Featured in:Tent Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,870 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Open season is May 9...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gunflint Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,870 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Open season is May 9...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Gunflint Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Iron Lake

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(218)388-2212

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

GUNFLINT RANGER DISTRICT, IRON LAKE CAMPGROUND, 2020 W. HIGHWAY 61, GRAND MARAIS, MN 55604, USA

Iron Lake

GUNFLINT RANGER DISTRICT, IRON LAKE CAMPGROUND, 2020 W. HIGHWAY 61, GRAND MARAIS, MN 55604, USA

Nearby places

Grand Marais (approximately 38 miles, 1 hour drive)

Weather at Iron Lake

Current alerts(4)

Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside a hard-sided vehicle and remove all food from area after eating.
Carry-down boat access to lake.
Click here for more information on the Superior National Forest
One vehicle is included in the regular fee; second vehicle must pay an extra vehicle fee of $12/night upon arrival.

Best Time to Camp at Iron Lake

Best season: fall. Come in early fall for crisp, bug-free days, brilliant northern hardwood and aspen color, and excellent wildlife viewing — this is when the northwoods feels most peaceful and photogenic. Daytime temperatures in September typically range from the mid-40s to mid-60s°F with nights often dropping into the 30s, making paddling, hiking, and shore fishing comfortable and active. Crowds are light compared with midsummer and the campground's small seven-site loop offers real solitude before the October 5 Peak months: September, August, June, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Early fall described as best: cooler temps, fewer bugs, changing aspens and light crowds.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 08 to October 04. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season is May 9 through October 5, with reservations available starting June 24.

About Iron Lake

Iron Lake sits in Superior National Forest's Gunflint Ranger District, a short drive from Grand Marais in Minnesota's northwoods foothills. Managed by the Forest Service, this very small campground offers lakefront tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, and basic amenities. Visitors fish, boat, and enjoy the quiet of a secluded forest setting with open night skies.

Iron Lake Campground caters to a range of campers with options for tent and RV camping, though facilities are primitive.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Come in early fall for crisp, bug-free days, brilliant northern hardwood and aspen color, and excellent wildlife viewing — this is when the northwoods feels most peaceful and photogenic. Daytime temperatures in September typically range from the mid-40s to mid-60s°F with nights often dropping into the 30s, making paddling, hiking, and shore fishing comfortable and active. Crowds are light compared with midsummer and the campground's small seven-site loop offers real solitude before the October 5 Peak months: September, August, June, July Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation1870 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe 2007 Ham Lake Fire reshaped this corner of the northwoods, leaving charred snags standing above young aspen and birch. Summer brings wild blueberries across the forest floor. Moose wade through the shallows at dawn. Loons call across the water at dusk. Black bears move through the area regularly. The campground sits at 1,870 feet on ancient Canadian Shield bedrock, with direct lake access from several sites.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are available at the campground, but conveniences can be found at nearby lodges and resorts.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are offered at this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay of 14 consecutive nights is allowed year-round.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One vehicle is included
an additional vehicle costs $12/night.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at Recreation.gov or via their contact center.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned, and the campground may present challenges due to its rugged and primitive nature.

Site SizeSites are described as well-sized, with some being large enough to accommodate up to four tents. "Lots 6 and 7 are the largest...we stayed on 7 and there was plenty of space for four tents," one visitor commented.

PrivacySites are well-spaced and secluded, offering good privacy. "Sites were large and spread out to offer some privacy," one reviewer stated.

Total Campsites7 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose Campsite 5 for lake views and direct access or Campsite 7 for space to accommodate larger groups. Avoid sites near dumpsters if concerned about bear activity.

Best CampsitesSite 5 gets consistent praise for its size, flat tent area, and direct lake access. Sites 6 and 7 are the largest. One reviewer fit four tents on site 7 with room to spare. Both sit close to the water.

Need help booking Iron Lake?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Iron Lake Campground offers a small and remote camping experience along the shores of Iron Lake in northern Minnesota. The facilities are minimal, providing a rustic camping atmosphere, including vault toilets, drinking water from a slow-flowing solar-powered pump, fire rings, and picnic tables. There are no electric hookups, and conveniences are available at nearby lodges. "Vault toilets have been pretty clean and not smelly on both our trips," one user noted. Trash bins are also provided. "A campground host from another facility visits here every other day, and the facility is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and the concessionaire."

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Iron Lake Campground offers a variety of recreational opportunities, primarily centered around the lake, including canoeing, fishing, and nature observation. "The lake itself is unpopulated to the west and offers great canoeing and fishing," a camper observed.

Fishing

Boating

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsThere are no flush toilets at this facility.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyDon't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash bins are available, but no recycling facilities are mentioned.

Cell CoverageCell phone reception is available after the addition of a cell tower in September 2021. "We have mixed emotions on this, since we liked unplugging from the world for a few days," one camper shared.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.8

61 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Iron Lake has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews for Iron Lake Campground emphasize its quiet, secluded nature and suitability for fishing, boating, and wildlife observation. However, some complaints about lack of supplies and rough roads are common.

Review Summaries

Based on 61 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews highlight the seclusion, spacious sites, and beautiful lake views. "Lovely, secluded sites right along the lake. Beautiful night skies!"

Based on 61 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of toilet paper in vault toilets and the slow-flowing water spigot. "Pit toilets were ok, but out of toilet paper for the first two days," noted one reviewer.

Based on 61 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 5 is praised for its size and proximity to the lake. "I was lot 5, and it was quite large. It backed up against the lake. There was a narrow path that took you down to the shore."

Based on 61 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring extra toilet paper, a water container, and insect repellent. "Worth noting, pack in some water with you for drinking, washing dishes, putting it fires etc., as the on-site water is very slow...

Based on 61 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews often mention biting flies and mosquitoes, while fall reviews highlight the beauty and solitude of the area. Winter comments praise the campground's suitability as a base for winter...

Based on 61 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This is the perfect place if you want solitude and quiet. Nothing fancy, just the awesome setting and view." "Very secluded. Trees have grown significantly from the image. If you like privacy this...

Based on 61 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility for users with disabilities.

Based on 61 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but no specific features for pet owners are mentioned in user reviews.

Based on 61 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want lakefront solitude, brilliant fall color, and don't mind basic facilities or seasonal operation.

Skip if

You need full hookups, stocked vault toilets, or want to avoid midsummer biting flies.

Nearby Campgrounds

2020 W. Highway 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604

Gunflint Lake campground sits on a 4,009-acre lake that straddles the US-Canada border in Superior National Forest, about 40 miles northwest of Grand Marais. The six primitive tent sites offer vault toilets and fire rings. Expect total darkness after sunset and no nearby facilities.