How much does camping cost at Pfeiffer Lake?

Camping fees at Pfeiffer Lake are $18/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

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

Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer Lake before I book?

Yes! Pfeiffer Lake has 8 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 Pfeiffer Lake?

Pfeiffer Lake is open May 08 to October 16. 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 Pfeiffer Lake?

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

How many campsites does Pfeiffer Lake have?

Pfeiffer Lake has 16 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Pfeiffer Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pfeiffer 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 Pfeiffer Lake?

Pfeiffer Lake 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 Pfeiffer Lake?

Popular activities at Pfeiffer Lake include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pfeiffer Lake

Q: Can I have a campfire at Pfeiffer Lake?

Fire policies at Pfeiffer Lake: Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. 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.

4.11

37 reviews

LAURENTIAN RANGER DISTRICT, PFEIFEER LAKE CAMPGROUND, 318 FORESTRY ROAD

C+Report Card

SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

1,460 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Campground will be c...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Laurentian Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,460 ft

Price

$18/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Campground will be c...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Laurentian Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Pfeiffer Lake

$18.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $18.00; S&P Standard: $18.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

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LAURENTIAN RANGER DISTRICT, PFEIFEER LAKE CAMPGROUND, 318 FORESTRY ROAD

Pfeiffer Lake

LAURENTIAN RANGER DISTRICT, PFEIFEER LAKE CAMPGROUND, 318 FORESTRY ROAD

Nearby places

Virginia, MN (approximately 21 miles, 25-30 minutes)

Aurora, MN (approximately 10 miles, 15 minutes)

Weather at Pfeiffer Lake

Current alerts(5)

Additional fee for second vehicle (non-towed) is $9.00/per day.
Campground will be closed and gates typically will be locked November 1 through May 1.
NO FIREWORKS.
The site must be occupied in the first 24 hours of reservation.

Best Time to Camp at Pfeiffer Lake

Best season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Pfeiffer Lake for reliably warm weather, calm water for paddling, and peak fishing and wildlife activity. Expect daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to low 80s F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s, making evenings perfect for campfires and loon-calls across the lake. Boating, swimming, and hiking are at their peak, though reservable sites open June 20 and weekend use is noticeably higher in July and August. Crowds remain moderate compared with more road Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is best: swimming, paddling, peak fishing and most reviews are from summer.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 08 to October 16. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Campground will be closed and gates typically will be locked November 1 through May 1.

About Pfeiffer Lake

Pfeiffer Lake sits in the Superior National Forest foothills near Aurora, Minnesota, operated by the Laurentian Ranger District. This small campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites along a scenic lake known for loon calls and a swim beach. Visitors fish, paddle, and hike through the surrounding forest during the seasonal operating period.

Pfeiffer Lake Campground provides traditional camping options catering to tent campers and RV users. The sites are designed for a rustic, natural experience and include both reservable and first-come, first-served options.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the best time to visit Pfeiffer Lake for reliably warm weather, calm water for paddling, and peak fishing and wildlife activity. Expect daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to low 80s F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s, making evenings perfect for campfires and loon-calls across the lake. Boating, swimming, and hiking are at their peak, though reservable sites open June 20 and weekend use is noticeably higher in July and August. Crowds remain moderate compared with more road Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation1460 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe 57-acre lake has an irregular shoreline carved by glaciers, creating coves and bays that attract nesting loons and waterfowl. Mixed hardwoods blend with pine forests around the shore, and young cedar and pine plantations fill gaps in the canopy. At 1,460 feet elevation, the campground sits in the transition zone where boreal and hardwood ecosystems meet. A small swimming beach provides lake access, and the shoreline supports a range of bird and wildlife species typical of northern Minnesota's protected forests.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no indication of hotel-style lodging accommodations available within the campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Campground will be closed December 1 through May 1, drinking water and garbage services unavailable during winter.

Groups

No specific group sites are mentioned or detailed.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as being spacious enough to accommodate both tents and campers, with ample lawn space for tent setups. RVs are also accommodated on certain sites.

PrivacyThe campsites offer a fair level of privacy according to users, with some mentioning that they are more private than most campgrounds.

Total Campsites16 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 012 faced complaints due to fallen trees and reservation errors, while Site 002 was praised for its relaxing environment.

Best CampsitesSites 002 and 005 get high marks in reviews for privacy and lake views. Both are relatively spacious and set back from neighbors.

Need help booking Pfeiffer 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

Pfeiffer Lake Campground offers essential amenities suitable for a peaceful and rustic camping experience. The campground provides potable water during peak season, fire rings, picnic tables, and trash collection facilities. There are 16 campsites in total, with 8 reservable and 8 available on a first-come, first-served basis. The playground situated centrally in the campground is a highlight for families with children. Vault toilets are the primary bathroom facilities, and these are noted for their cleanliness by users. However, there are no modern facilities like showers, Wi-Fi, or dump stations. Drinking water is unavailable during the off-season, and garbage services and toilet cleaning are also suspended during that time. Pets are allowed, and the campground host is on-site during peak season to provide assistance.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Things to do at Pfeiffer Lake

Pfeiffer Lake Campground provides a variety of recreational activities suitable for families and nature enthusiasts. Popular activities include fishing, with species such as panfish, bass, perch, and walleye being commonly caught. The fishing pier and boat ramp make fishing accessible to both shore anglers and boaters. The 3-mile hiking trail around the lake provides an opportunity to explore the area's natural beauty, while the grassy swimming beach is a favorite for families. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular on this small, serene lake.

Fishing4.0/5

Swimming4.0/5Top 25% in Minnesota

Boating4.0/5

Water Sports4.0/5

Hiking3.0/5

Has a 3-mile trail around Pfeiffer Lake offering shoreline exploration.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Photography4.0/5Good wildlife (loons), scenic coves and forested shorelines offer photo opportunities.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground; vault toilets are provided instead.

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.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyDon't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. 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 collection is available during the peak season, but recycling facilities are not mentioned. During the off-season, garbage services are not available.

Cell CoverageNo explicit information about cell phone service quality or coverage.

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

4.1

37 reviews

Satisfactory

Pfeiffer Lake is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews emphasize the campground's peaceful and quiet atmosphere, suitability for families, and opportunities for fishing and wildlife observation. However, some users reported issues with site reservations and maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 37 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 37 reviews.

Site 002Loved
Site 002 is highlighted for its spacious layout and proximity to the lake.
Site 005Loved
Site 005 is praised for cleanliness and privacy.
Site 012Issues noted
Site 012 received negative reviews due to maintenance issues involving a fallen tree and improper reservation handling.

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciated the clean and well-maintained facilities, the scenic lake setting, and the privacy of campsites. The sound of loons, the availability of a swimming beach, and the fishing...

Based on 37 reviews

Common Concerns

Key complaints include reservation mishaps, such as the absence of reserved-site tags, and maintenance issues like trees obstructing tent pads. Some users noted noisy neighbors during quiet hours and...

Based on 37 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend using smaller boats for better navigation of the lake and suggest confirming reservations to avoid issues. It is also advised to bring extra trash bags during off-season stays as...

Based on 37 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most reviewed season, with positive mentions of swimming, fishing, and tranquil surroundings. Off-season reviews are scarce, and the lack of amenities like drinking water and trash...

Based on 37 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This place is peaceful. Sweet little lake with hiking trails all around." - Elan Mumme. "The vault toilets were nice and clean. The beach was nice." - Eric P. "Beautiful small lake with easy access...

Based on 37 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features were found.

Based on 37 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and no significant issues related to pet policies or pet-owner experiences were mentioned in the reviews.

Based on 37 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Pfeiffer Lake

$18.00 / night

Campsite Fees

MANAGEMENT: $18.00; S&P Standard: $18.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $18.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

No campsite fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

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Provider

Go if

You want a quiet lake setting with swimming and fishing access in Superior National Forest.

Skip if

You need open gate access at night or want to avoid reservation signage confusion.

Nearby Campgrounds

320 N. Highway 53 Cook, MN 55723

Lake Vermilion sits within Superior National Forest, offering six backcountry campsites accessible only by boat. The lake stretches across 40,000 acres with 365 islands and claims more shoreline than any other Minnesota lake. These primitive sites are dispersed and remote, each with a fire ring, picnic table, and latrine.

Pfeiffer Lake

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

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How campers graded it

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Best Time to Camp at Pfeiffer Lake

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Trip Planning Tools

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What Campers Love

Common Concerns