Tofte Lake
00 review1393 Highway 169 Ely, MN 55731
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
4 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Free
Booking
First-Come
Sites
4 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Allowed
Tofte Lake
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are required for camping or access at Tofte Lake.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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USFS
Provider218-365-7600SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov
What Campers Say
N/A
Limited Reviews
Based on 0 reviews
3 Google reviews
"No user reviews were provided in the available information."
Fees & Passes at Tofte Lake
Free
Campsite fees
Standard Site
Basic tent/RV spot
Stay Limit: No stated limit for consecutive nights.
Cancellation: Not applicable, as reservations are not required.
Prices verified August 10, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Superior National Forest website.
Best Time to Camp at Tofte Lake
Each season paints Tofte Lake with its own dramatic palette. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with temperatures plunging well below freezing and snow blanketing the forest in hushed white. Summer brings gentle warmth and longer days perfect for fishing, though afternoon showers can sweep through unexpectedly. The transitional months of spring and fall offer their own wild beauty, where you might wake to frost-kissed mornings or experience all four seasons in a single day as rain gives way to snow and back again.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
Planning Tips
- Peak Season: No peak or shoulder seasons noted.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
- Operating Season: Open year-round (no seasonal closures).
About Tofte Lake
Hidden within Minnesota's wilderness, Tofte Lake offers an authentic backcountry escape with four secluded campsites that promise solitude and simplicity. This pristine destination draws passionate anglers from across the region, as the lake is carefully managed for exceptional rainbow trout and splake fishing. Here, you'll trade modern conveniences for the raw beauty of dispersed camping, where the rhythm of nature sets the pace and the catch of the day might just become your campfire dinner.
Tofte Lake camping is centered around dispersed backcountry camping with minimal facilities, making it ideal for those seeking solitude and a wilderness experience.
Historical SignificanceWhile Tofte Lake may not bear ancient markings or storied monuments, its significance lies in the timeless tradition of wilderness camping and the generations of anglers who have cast their lines into these waters, each adding their own chapter to the lake's unwritten history.
Weather and SeasonsEach season paints Tofte Lake with its own dramatic palette. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with temperatures plunging well below freezing and snow blanketing the forest in hushed white. Summer brings gentle warmth and longer days perfect for fishing, though afternoon showers can sweep through unexpectedly. The transitional months of spring and fall offer their own wild beauty, where you might wake to frost-kissed mornings or experience all four seasons in a single day as rain gives way to snow and back again.
ElevationNestled at an elevation that remains part of the area's mystique, Tofte Lake sits within the gently rolling terrain of Minnesota's northwoods, where the land tells its own story through subtle rises and falls shaped by ancient glaciers.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to mist rising from mirror-still waters, surrounded by towering boreal forests that stretch endlessly in every direction. Tofte Lake sits like a jewel among its glacial siblings - Glacier Pond 1 and 2, the mysterious Ojibway Lake, and geometric Triangle Lake. This wilderness sanctuary pulses with life: white-tailed deer emerge at dawn to drink from the shoreline, black bears lumber through the understory, and countless birds fill the canopy with their morning songs. Each campsite offers front-row seats to nature's daily theater.
Geological RegionCarved by the patient hands of ancient glaciers, Tofte Lake rests within the magnificent Superior National Forest, where countless eons of ice and time have sculpted a landscape of stunning beauty. This boreal ecosystem, dotted with crystalline lakes like nearby Glacier Ponds, Ojibway Lake, and Triangle Lake, represents one of North America's last great wilderness frontiers. The forest's ancient bedrock and glacier-carved basins create a geological tapestry that tells the story of our continent's dramatic past.
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Campsite details
Sites SizeThe campsites are backcountry and minimally developed, suitable for a tent and possibly small camping gear.
Sites PrivacyAs backcountry dispersed sites, privacy is likely high, but detailed privacy descriptions are unavailable.
Total Campsites4 campsites
Recommended CampsitesRecommendations focus on using the provided facilities such as fire rings and latrines.
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
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Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Open 24 hours/day. No formal check-in time.
Check-out
Open 24 hours/day. No formal check-out time.
Stay Limit
No stated limit for consecutive nights.
Guests Allowed Per Site
No stated restrictions on number of guests per site.
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Site layoutDispersed layout with 4 backcountry campsites spread out around the lake.
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round (no seasonal closures).
Reservation PlatformsNo reservations required. Not applicable.
Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-served.
Cancellation PolicyNot applicable, as reservations are not required.
Amenities available
Fire rings
Activities you can enjoy
Activities at Tofte Lake focus on utilizing the natural environment, especially the lake and surrounding area. The site supports fishing, boating, and hunting, with a special emphasis on trout fishing as the lake is managed for rainbow trout and splake.
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Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings only.
- Quiet hours are No specified quiet hours.
Hazards
General hazardsPotential hazards include bears and other wildlife. Visitors are advised to store food in bear-resistant containers. Winter hazards such as snow and ice should be considered. Lake water is unsafe to drink without treatment.
Weather at Tofte Lake
-12
°F
Dec 7
Sunday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Humidity: 61%
Moderately humid conditions
Wind: 5.5 mph
Moderate wind, may affect light items
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
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Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
Kawishiwi Ranger District office (1393 Highway 169 Ely, MN 55731, phone: 218-365-7600). Emergency services in Ely include St. Louis County Sheriff's office and Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.
Good to know
Peak season datesNo peak or shoulder seasons noted.
Trash and recyclingCampers are required to pack out all garbage as no trash facilities are available.
Proximity to water featuresDirectly adjacent to Tofte Lake, which is 155 acres in size and reaches a depth of 70 feet. Nearby lakes include Glacier Pond 1, Glacier Pond 2, Ojibway Lake, and Triangle Lake.
Common complaintsnull
HostNo formal campground hosts are available.
Campground Map
1393 Highway 169 Ely, MN 55731
Driving directionsFrom Ely, take State Highway 169 (turns into Highway 18/Fernberg Road) northeast for 14.5 miles to Forest Road 1541/557. Turn left on Forest Road 1541 for 0.2 miles to the boat access.
Accessible via paved State Highway 169 (which transitions into Highway 18/Fernberg Road) and Forest Road 1541/557. Short drive on unpaved roads to boat access.Nearby places
Ely (14.5 miles northeast)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies available in Ely, approximately 14.5 miles away. Ely offers grocery stores, camping supply shops, and fuel stations.
Reviews from booking and map sources
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0 reviews
Tofte Lake has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
No user reviews were provided in the available information.
Review Summaries
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Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated August 10, 2025
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