Little Gunflint Lake

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2020 W. Highway 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,545 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open season begins o...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Gunflint Ranger District, Superior National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,545 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Open season begins o...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Gunflint Ranger District, Superior National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Little Gunflint Lake

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Dispersed camping fees are not explicitly mentioned.

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

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USFS

Provider

(218) 387-1750SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov

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Campground Map

2020 W. Highway 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604

Little Gunflint Lake

2020 W. Highway 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604

Driving directionsFrom Grand Marais, travel north on Gunflint Trail for 43.7 miles. Turn right onto S. Gunflint Lake Road and travel 0.4 miles. Turn left and travel 49 feet before veering right and traveling 210 feet to the parking area.

Access is via paved roads until the parking area near Gunflint Lake. The parking area may be busy as it serves as an access point for Boundary Waters Canoe Area wilderness. After parking, access to the camping sites requires a portage from Gunflint Lake.

Nearby places

Grand Marais (43.7 miles, approximately 1 hour travel).

Nearby supplies

Closest supplies can be found in Grand Marais, 43.7 miles away, including groceries, camping supplies, and fuel options.

Best Time to Camp at Little Gunflint Lake

The seasonal symphony at Little Gunflint Lake plays dramatically different tunes throughout the year. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, where temperatures plunge and snow blankets the forest in hushed silence. Spring arrives tentatively, with warming days still punctuated by surprise snowfalls and the gradual awakening of the wilderness. Summer emerges as the star performer—clear blue skies reflect in mirror-like waters, temperatures hover in comfortable ranges, and minimal rainfall creates perfect conditions for paddling and hiking. Autumn paints the boreal forest in brilliant golds and crimsons, though cooler temperatures and increased precipitation remind visitors that winter's approach is never far away in this northern sanctuary.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Prime paddling, fishing and hiking season after April 15; calm lake conditions implied.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Boreal pines and birch suggest good autumn color and scenic fall paddling/hikes.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Open from April 15; shoulder-season conditions and variable weather expected.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Open season begins Apr 15; winter access/use not indicated.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open season begins on April 15.

About Little Gunflint Lake

Deep in the heart of Superior National Forest, Little Gunflint Lake beckons adventurous souls seeking true wilderness solitude. This remote backcountry gem offers two exclusive single-party campsites, accessible only by paddling across the pristine waters of Gunflint Lake or hiking through dense boreal forest. Each secluded site comes equipped with essential amenities—a fire grate for evening campfires, a rustic latrine, and possibly a weathered picnic table where countless outdoor meals have been shared. Here, Leave No Trace isn't just a suggestion—it's a way of life. You'll carry out every trace of your visit, purify lake water for drinking, and ensure your washing activities stay well away from the shoreline, preserving this untouched paradise for future generations.

Little Gunflint Lake offers dispersed, backcountry camping with two single-party sites accessible by portage or foot. These sites are first-come, first-served.

Historical SignificanceLittle Gunflint Lake sits at the crossroads of nations and wilderness heritage, where centuries of exploration, fur trading, and conservation converge. This international waterway, straddling the invisible line between Minnesota and Canada, has witnessed the passage of Indigenous peoples, voyageurs, and wilderness advocates who fought to preserve the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Today, camping here connects you to the enduring legacy of the Superior National Forest—a testament to the vision of those who recognized that some places are too precious to be anything but wild.

Weather and SeasonsThe seasonal symphony at Little Gunflint Lake plays dramatically different tunes throughout the year. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, where temperatures plunge and snow blankets the forest in hushed silence. Spring arrives tentatively, with warming days still punctuated by surprise snowfalls and the gradual awakening of the wilderness. Summer emerges as the star performer—clear blue skies reflect in mirror-like waters, temperatures hover in comfortable ranges, and minimal rainfall creates perfect conditions for paddling and hiking. Autumn paints the boreal forest in brilliant golds and crimsons, though cooler temperatures and increased precipitation remind visitors that winter's approach is never far away in this northern sanctuary.

ElevationWhile specific elevation data remains unrecorded, the lake rests within the ancient, glacier-carved terrain of the Canadian Shield, where rocky outcroppings and dense forests create a landscape that feels both timeless and ever-changing.

Natural Features and SceneryImmerse yourself in a landscape where the boreal forest meets the water's edge in dramatic fashion. Little Gunflint Lake's rugged shoreline tells the story of ancient glaciers through weathered granite cliffs and smooth, water-worn stones. Towering pines and paper birches frame views across serene waters that stretch northward into Canada, creating a seamless wilderness tapestry. Morning mists rise from the lake's surface, while loons call across the water and eagles soar overhead. This near-wilderness setting offers the increasingly rare opportunity to experience nature on its own terms—raw, beautiful, and wonderfully untamed.

Geological RegionCarved from the ancient bedrock of the Canadian Shield, Little Gunflint Lake exemplifies the rugged beauty of the Superior National Forest's borderland wilderness. This international waterway, with portions extending into Canada, showcases the region's distinctive geological character—exposed granite formations weathered smooth by millennia of ice and water, interspersed with pockets of boreal forest that cling tenaciously to thin soils. The lake itself occupies a depression sculpted by retreating glaciers, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding forest of spruce, fir, and birch that defines this northern ecosystem.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Nine people per site limit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Nine people per site limit is reinforced.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTwo dispersed campsites on Little Gunflint Lake accessible via portage from Gunflint Lake.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as this is a first come, first served site.

Walk-in AvailabilitySites are first come, first served only.

Cancellation PolicyCancellation policies are irrelevant as the sites are first come, first served.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned. The rugged and remote nature of the campground may pose challenges for individuals with mobility issues.

Site SizeThe two campsites are described as dispersed with no detailed information on site dimensions.

PrivacyAs backcountry sites, privacy is likely to be high due to the limited number of sites and their separation by natural features.

Total Campsites2 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites based on proximity to Gunflint Lake for ease of access.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities at Little Gunflint Lake focus on outdoor and backcountry activities. Fishing, non-motorized boating, and Leave No Trace hiking are emphasized.

HikingHiking trails are available, and dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash. The trails align with the dispersed and backcountry nature of the camping experience.

FishingFishing is permitted in Little Gunflint Lake, with species including northern pike, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and white sucker.

BoatingNon-motorized boating is supported with a concrete boat ramp and dock at the adjacent Gunflint Lake access point.

Wildlife viewingThe remote, natural setting is likely to offer wildlife viewing opportunities, though specific species are not mentioned.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include interactions with wildlife, rugged terrain, and water safety concerns. Campers are advised to hang food packs and use bear-resistant containers.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyFires must be confined to designated fire grates. Campers are advised to extinguish fires before leaving the site.

Emergency ServicesGunflint Ranger District Office (43.7 miles away, 2020 W. Highway 61, Grand Marais, MN 55604); phone: (218) 387-1750. Hours: April 28 – September 30, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed on weekends and federal holidays.

Trash & RecyclingCampers must pack out all garbage, as no trash or recycling facilities are available on-site.

Water FeaturesLittle Gunflint Lake is directly accessible via portage from Gunflint Lake. Rugged shorelines and serene waters are key features.

Camp HostNo campground hosts are mentioned.