How much does camping cost at Little Isabella River Campground?

Camping fees at Little Isabella River Campground range from $18/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Little Isabella River Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Little Isabella River Campground 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 Little Isabella River Campground before I book?

Yes! Little Isabella River Campground has 1 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 Little Isabella River Campground?

Little Isabella River Campground is open May 08 to September 30. 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 Little Isabella River Campground?

Little Isabella River Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Little Isabella River Campground?

Cell phone service at Little Isabella River Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Little Isabella River Campground have?

Little Isabella River Campground has 11 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Little Isabella River Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Little Isabella River Campground. 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 Little Isabella River Campground?

Little Isabella River Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Little Isabella River Campground?

Popular activities at Little Isabella River Campground include Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Little Isabella River Campground

3.47

31 reviews

9620 MN Hwy 1, Isabella, MN, 55607

Peace & Quiet

Featured in:Tent Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,900 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open from May 8, 202...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Tofte Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,900 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

11 campsites

Season

Open from May 8, 202...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Tofte Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Little Isabella River Campground

$18.00 - $18.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Standard, Long-Term: $18.00; Standard: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$15.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

218-663-8063

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

9620 MN Hwy 1, Isabella, MN, 55607

Little Isabella River Campground

9620 MN Hwy 1, Isabella, MN, 55607

Nearby places

Isabella (4.5 miles, ~10 minutes), Ely (~60 miles, ~1 hour).

Weather at Little Isabella River Campground

Current alerts(9)

Dispose of waste in containers provided.
Maximum of nine people per site. There is space for one vehicle and one towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). Additional vehicles on the site require additional half fee and must park on the spur. No vehicles may park on the grass or where they impede traffic.
No campground host on site.
Noise limits enforced, respect your fellow campers.

Best Time to Camp at Little Isabella River Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable daytime temperatures (typically 45–65°F), crisp nights, and dramatically reduced insect pressure, making hiking, wildlife viewing and shore fishing especially pleasant. Northern Minnesota's boreal forest lights up with red and gold tones in September, and the campground's solitude is at its peak as summer visitors thin out. Shorter days and cool evenings mean cozy campfires (where allowed) and excellent photography light, with minimal crowds on the Peak months: September, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall cited as best: 45–65°F, peak colors and minimal bug pressure per summary.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 08 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 8, 2025 to September 30, 2025.

About Little Isabella River Campground

Little Isabella River Campground sits in the Superior National Forest foothills near Isabella, Minnesota, operated by the Tofte Ranger District. This small, budget-friendly campground offers secluded tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Visitors come for fishing, biking, and wildlife viewing in a quiet boreal forest setting with spacious, private campsites and reliable stargazing.

Little Isabella River Campground caters to a variety of campers with its mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. It features standard campsites suitable for tent camping and small RVs, but no cabins or advanced glamping options.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of comfortable daytime temperatures (typically 45–65°F), crisp nights, and dramatically reduced insect pressure, making hiking, wildlife viewing and shore fishing especially pleasant. Northern Minnesota's boreal forest lights up with red and gold tones in September, and the campground's solitude is at its peak as summer visitors thin out. Shorter days and cool evenings mean cozy campfires (where allowed) and excellent photography light, with minimal crowds on the Peak months: September, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1900 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryRed and white pines tower over the campground, part of the boreal forest ecosystem that defines this corner of Minnesota. The Little Isabella River flows near the sites, and glacially carved lakes sit within the surrounding forest. The landscape reflects the ice age forces that shaped this region, leaving behind interconnected waterways and dense conifer stands. Wildlife is common, and fall brings red and gold foliage to the understory.

Lodging & AccommodationsOnly campsites are available; no hotel-style lodges or cabins are mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are indicated in the authoritative source or user reviews.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum of nine people per site
space for one vehicle and one trailer with additional charges for extra vehicles.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of nine people per site.

Groups

No group sites are mentioned for this campground.

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 via Recreation.gov or in-person using Scan and Pay.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and drinking water are available. Additionally, some campsites and parking areas are described as accessible.

Site SizeAverage site sizes, sufficient for an SUV and a tent (User review by Karethra Bex). Other reviews note that some sites are narrow and uneven.

PrivacyHigh level of privacy, with sites spaced apart. "Sites are a good distance from each other. Very private" (User review by Arian H).

Total Campsites11 campsites

Recommended SitesSite #7 is noted for proximity to the river and privacy, while sites #8 and #11 offer easier setups.

Best CampsitesSites 8 and 11 get the most recommendations from campers. Site 7 also ranks well for privacy and location. Reviews note good spacing between sites overall, though some are narrow or uneven and may require leveling for RVs.

Need help booking Little Isabella River Campground?

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

Little Isabella River Campground is a small, secluded camping area located in the Superior National Forest, 4.5 miles west of Isabella, Minnesota. The campground offers a quiet setting among red and white pines, making it a great destination for those seeking privacy and fishing opportunities. Campers have access to standard amenities such as vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Campers at Little Isabella River Campground can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, ATV trails, and wildlife viewing. The campground provides access to the Little Isabella River, which is popular for brook trout fishing.

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsThe campground is equipped with vault toilets. No flush toilets were mentioned in the authoritative source or user reviews.

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.

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

3.5

31 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Little Isabella River Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

The campground is praised for its seclusion, quiet atmosphere, and clean vault toilets. However, some users note uneven sites and high mosquito activity, especially in summer. ATV trail access is an advantage for some campers, while others find limited recreational opportunities.

Review Summaries

Based on 31 reviews

What Campers Love

Secluded and quiet atmosphere, spacious and private campsites, clean vault toilets, opportunities for stargazing, and good cell phone service on T-Mobile and Verizon.

Based on 31 reviews

Common Concerns

Mosquitoes and black flies, uneven campsites (difficult for RVs), limited amenities, and overgrown sites needing maintenance.

Based on 31 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 8 and Site 11 are highly praised by multiple users for their location and layout. Other sites are noted to be uneven, making them challenging for RVs. Long-term campers were observed occupying...

Based on 31 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring insect repellent for mosquitoes and flies, consider visiting during cooler months to avoid bugs, and choose sites 8 or 11 for the best experience. If staying in an RV, be prepared to level your...

Based on 31 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Mosquitoes and black flies are most active in summer (June-July). Cooler months offer fewer bugs but may have colder temperatures. The campground is described as quiet and less visited year-round.

Based on 31 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Best place ever if you want to see the night sky in all its glory without any ambient light" (User review by Karethra Bex). "Site 8 is the nicest camping spot here. Site 11 is nice" (User review by...

Based on 31 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible features include vault toilets and drinking water. No specific user feedback on accessibility for individuals with disabilities was provided.

Based on 31 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but no specific reviews addressed the experience of pet owners at the campground.

Based on 31 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want quiet, private campsites in Superior National Forest with fishing access and don't mind vault toilets.

Skip if

You're visiting in summer and can't tolerate mosquitoes and deer flies on uneven terrain.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.1

(41)

Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground

7355 West Hwy 61, Tofte, MN 55615

Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground sits beneath towering red pines in Superior National Forest near Isabella, with three secluded campsites positioned near the lake. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, fills often, and offers carry-down boat access plus a loop trail around the lake. It's rustic: vault toilets, no garbage service, pack everything out.