Camping in Northern MN/Iron range

Get the Superior National Forest map. It will list both campgrounds and backcountry sites. Spend a little time looking it over and you’ll find lots of options.

I’ve camped at most of the sites inland from the Sawtooth a few miles. Including a couple that require a short hike or paddle to get to. Baker, Dumbell, Whitefish, Wilson, Sawbill, etc.

Only note on free sites is they are first come first serve. From when I started finding this area in the early 2000’s it’s much harder to find an open spot now.

There is a really nice campground at the end of the Gunflint Trail

Look up some of the us forest service campgrounds near Ely. I Like the Birch Lake campground, Fall Lake, Kawishwi River, those are all very scenic campgrounds and easy to access with good fishing and right on the edge of the BWCA. Another place to go is the New Lake Vermilion State Park, they have some good campsites as well. If you are looking to be off the beaten path, Perch and Whisper Lakes have some campsites on them, they are a short walk off of the roads and offer some very good fishing.

Chief Wooden Frog Campground on Kab…… for a state campground, it offers decent privacy, with VNP at your back door……

Vermillion is tough to beat, especially if you have a boat and want to camp an island.

Thanks for the info guys

Here’s some good info too:
http://www.twincities.com/outdoors/ci_27929060/great-minnesota-camping-spots

Don’t forget to look at the state forest campgrounds too, they have some of the quietest and most private sites I have found. The Best In Tent Camping Minnesota by Tom Watson is a good resource.