Remote camping on MN lakes

[Getanet]

Instead of staying at a resort during a fishing trip, my buddy and I recently camped on an island on Lake Kabetogama. Camping was definitely a different experience and I've been bitten by the camping bug. I'm trying to find other lakes in MN that have remote/primitive camping sites - ideally boat-in, or at least being able to land your boat at the campsite. Not looking for campgrounds where we would be around a lot of other people. I know the lakes in Voyagers National Park (Kabetogama, Rainy, Sand Point, Namakan) have them, and I believe Burntside has a few, but are there others anyone knows of?

[yellowsubmarine]

Superior National Forest offers a ton of opportunities.  The lakes that lie inside the forest boundary, but not inside the BWCA offer similar experiences. Decent fishing, with a blend of primitive and established sites.  Some on shore, some on islands.  No reservations, all first come first served, with very few exceptions.  Don't take my word for it, check into it yourself, but I think camping in the National Forest is open and you do not necessarily need to use a designated site.  There are plenty available though.  They'll usually have a fire grate and vault toilet of some sort.

Good luck on your search.  It's been several years since I did it myself.  But, I had a blast up there several years ago while my daughter was growing up.

 

[BobT]

Lake Erskine, just south of Deer Lake in Itaska County had an island campground that we used about 25 years ago. Haven't been there since so can't say anything about it today. It was a designated trout lake when I stayed there with splake and rainbows.

[BobT]

Forgot about this one too. Thistledew Lake just east of Erskine and Deer lakes has on shore campsites. This was a pretty fair walleye and crappie lake if I remember correctly. Haven't been there in a couple decades either. 

The two lakes above are small, out-of-the way lakes that didn't draw a lot of boaters.

Edited May 31, 2018 by BobT

[Getanet]

Thanks, I'll be sure to check those two spots out!

[Getanet]

1 hour ago, yellowsubmarine said:

Superior National Forest offers a ton of opportunities.  The lakes that lie inside the forest boundary, but not inside the BWCA offer similar experiences. Decent fishing, with a blend of primitive and established sites.  Some on shore, some on islands.  No reservations, all first come first served, with very few exceptions.  Don't take my word for it, check into it yourself, but I think camping in the National Forest is open and you do not necessarily need to use a designated site.  There are plenty available though.  They'll usually have a fire grate and vault toilet of some sort.

Good luck on your search.  It's been several years since I did it myself.  But, I had a blast up there several years ago while my daughter was growing up.

 

Thanks YellowSub!

[h8go4s]

Superior National Forest:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/superior/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=36905&actid=34

Chippewa National Forest:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/chippewa/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=26620&actid=34

 

 

 

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Tons of lakes up north have camp sites, too many to list. Birch, Vermilion, Island Lake and Boulder Lake (Duluth), Burntside. Just about every lake I can think of off the Gunflint and Echo seem to have at least 1 campsite on it. This is just the Superior National Forest Region.  I'm sure the Chip has a million more to pick from. 

[Borch]

Star Island in Cass Lake has remote, boat in primitive camping as well.

[karaRobert]

Here’s Where I Go For Camping in Minnesota
https://hopdes.com/united-states/minnesota/best-camping-spots-in-minnesota/