4.1730 reviews
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
5 campsites
Season
May 8 - October 1
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
5 campsites
Season
May 8 - October 1
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground
7355 West Hwy 61 Tofte, MN 55615
Paddlers launching into the BWCA will find direct canoe access from the shore, solid smallmouth bass and walleye fishing on Kawishiwi Lake, and site #4 getting particular praise for scenery and wildlife. Arrive early on summer weekends; five sites go fast.
Tight sites mean neighbors are close enough to hear, the vault toilet runs out of paper, and there's no potable water on-site. Bring your own water treatment, toilet paper, and firewood, or the logistics will wear on you.
Reference information about Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Kawishiwi Lake is a lovely campground in a birch stand on the edge of the <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/superior/recarea/?recid=84168">Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness</a>. It provides an excellent campsite for people entering or exiting the BWCAW via the Kawishiwi Lake Entry Point. The BWCAW boundary is the shore of the lake, so motors are not allowed on the lake and if you plan on putting a canoe in the water at all, you will need a day use permit available at a kiosk at the access point. </p>
Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.
Summer brings the most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s-50s. This season provides long daylight for paddling, the best fishing and swimming on Kawishiwi Lake, and comfortable weather for camping. The campground operates from May through October, when temperatures range from the low 40s to mid-70s. Autumn turns the birches gold and brings crisp air before winter transforms the area into a frozen landscape with temperatures well below zero and deep snow cover.
Fall reviews emphasize lake beauty and quieter conditions; amenities remain limited.
Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground offers basic amenities suitable for campers looking for a rustic experience. Restrooms are available on-site, but potable water is not provided, requiring campers to treat lake water for drinking purposes. Fire rings are available at campsites. Noise limits are enforced with quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. There is no garbage pickup, and campers are required to pack out all waste, including fish remains. Sites are pull-in and can accommodate RVs longer than 21 feet.
Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.
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.
Rate Kawishiwi Lake Rustic Campground
Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.
Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.
Be the first to review this campground
Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.
