South Kawishiwi River

Star4.23
250 reviews
KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT, 1393 HIGHWAY 169, ELY, MN 55731, USA
SwimmingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

1,476 ft

Price

$20 - $162/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

30 campsites

Season

The campground is op...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectric

Opens KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT site

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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
South Kawishiwi River
$20.00 - $162.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The campground features peak season rates for individual campsites ranging from $20 for non-electric sites to $29 for standard electric sites. Group...
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Standard Site Fee$20.00
Hookup Site Fee$29.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$162.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
218-365-7600
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What Campers Say

4.23

Satisfactory

Based on 250 reviews

73 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanfriendly

"User reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, natural beauty, and attentive camp hosts. However, issues such as biting insects and limited amenities like potable water and a dump station have been noted."

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Campground Map

KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT, 1393 HIGHWAY 169, ELY, MN 55731, USA

South Kawishiwi River

KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT, 1393 HIGHWAY 169, ELY, MN 55731, USA

Driving directionsFrom Ely, Minnesota, travel about 10.3 miles south on State Highway 1 toward Lake Superior. Turn left onto the campground road.
The campground is accessed via paved roads leading from State Highway 1. Seasonal access challenges or closures were not mentioned, implying consistent accessibility.
Nearby places
Ely (10.3 miles, approximately 15 minutes by car)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, camping supplies, fuel, and other essentials are available in Ely, which is 10.3 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at South Kawishiwi River

Spring arrives with a symphony of awakening wildlife, though early-season visitors should come prepared for nature's welcoming committee of mosquitoes and gnats that thrive in the muggy conditions. As summer matures, the bugs retreat and comfortable temperatures invite endless outdoor exploration. But it's autumn that truly steals the show—when the boreal forest explodes into a breathtaking canvas of gold, crimson, and amber, creating some of the most photographed scenery in Minnesota's Northwoods.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season for boating/swimming; generally excellent but insects reported in warm months.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Reviews note fall as best time—fewer bugs and cooler temps, excellent scenery.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open from May 5; spring brings biting insects (mosquitoes, gnats) that can reduce enjoyment.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside May 5–Sep 30 season.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season dates are May 5, 2025, to September 30, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: The campground is open from May 5 to September 30, 2025.
  • Current Alerts: Information related to active alerts at the campground was not provided.

About South Kawishiwi River

Escape to the pristine wilderness of South Kawishiwi River Campground, where the gentle flow of the river sets the rhythm for your Superior National Forest adventure. This hidden gem offers thoughtfully spaced individual campsites and a welcoming group shelter, creating the perfect basecamp for anglers casting lines into productive waters, paddlers gliding through mirror-like reflections, and hikers exploring forest trails. Visitors consistently praise the immaculate facilities, the privacy that lets you truly disconnect, and the warm hospitality of the campground hosts who help make every stay memorable.
South Kawishiwi River Campground offers several camping options, including RV sites, tent sites, and a group day-use area.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time begins at noon.
Check-out
Check-out time is also at noon.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Amenities available

Potable water
Electricity hookups
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

South Kawishiwi River Campground offers a variety of recreational activities centered around its natural features, including canoeing, boating, swimming, hiking, and fishing.
HikingThe campground features a 1-mile trail, the Kawishiwi River Forest Trail. A user shared: 'They have a short hiking trail around the campground.'
FishingFishing is popular with opportunities to catch northern pike, perch, and walleye. 'Fishing was okay with lots of northern being caught,' one review noted.
SwimmingThere is a grassy swimming beach for campers. User reviews indicate enjoyment of the area: 'Our family enjoyed the swimming beach very much.'
BikingAccessible gravel roads and proximity to an ATV trail provide biking opportunities: 'Nice access to gravel roads to run on and close to ATV trail to bike on.'
BoatingBoating is supported with a boat ramp on-site. Canoe rentals are available through the host: 'Instead of bringing my canoe this trip we decided to rent one from the campground.'
Wildlife viewingThe campground offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, including sightings of moose, bear, bald eagles, loons, and wolves: 'We could hear the wolves howling from across the river at night.'
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes, black flies, and gnats are prevalent during spring and early summer, with some visitors describing them as 'unbearable.'
Active AlertsInformation related to active alerts at the campground was not provided.

Weather at South Kawishiwi River

Reviews

4.2
250 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
South Kawishiwi River is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground's cleanliness, natural beauty, and attentive camp hosts. However, issues such as biting insects and limited amenities like potable water and a dump station have been noted.
Review Summaries
Based on 250 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews consistently praise the cleanliness of the vault toilets ('Cleanest vault toilets I've ever seen'), the friendly and attentive camp hosts, and the beautiful natural surroundings. Many users...
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Based on 250 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include biting insects like black flies and gnats ('The gnats were excessive. Atrocious. Horrible!'), limited potable water ('Beware there is little potable water (one tap only)'),...
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Based on 250 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers suggest visiting in the fall to avoid bugs, using the Ely dump station located 10 miles away, and bringing a long hose for water refills.
Based on 250 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring brings biting insects, while fall is noted as the best time to camp due to fewer bugs and cooler temperatures. 'Nice large sites and very clean. Now most sites have electricity not just sites...
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Based on 250 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The vault toilets were the nicest and cleanest ones I had ever used!' 'Our site, No. 29, had the most beautiful view in the entire campground.' 'The host goes out of their way to make the pit toilet...
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Based on 250 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site 029 is frequently mentioned for its beautiful views and proximity to the river. Site 1 is noted for privacy from neighbors, and site 4 offers convenience with table and fire rings close to...
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Based on 250 reviews

Accessibility Features

Access for larger RVs and 5th wheels may be challenging, and users indicate that maneuvering to water stations can be difficult: 'It also doesn't have a dump station but there is one located at the...
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Based on 250 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are welcome, and hosts provided helpful alerts about bear activity which is useful for pet owners: 'She let campers know when there was recent bear activity while we were there.'
Based on 250 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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