Fenske Lake Campground
Fenske Lake Campground offers visitors an escape to a small, remote campground with large, majestic pine trees and easy access to water. It is a popular base camp for exploring, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and backcountry canoeing in Superior National Forest and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The campground lies approximately 10 miles outside of Ely, Minnesota.
The campground is tent-friendly; most sites do not accommodate large RVs. Sites are spaced widely apart along a large loop. All sites have partial to full shade, and some overlook the lake.
A group campsite for 10 to 25 people is situated on a separate parking spur away from the main campground. The site is perched high on a rock ledge overlooking the lake, offering a spectacular view.
Families and groups of friends will enjoy the facility's small picnic area. An open log shelter is available for use during inclement weather.
Need to Know
- Beach and picnic area open from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily; no lifeguards on duty at the beach.
- Off-road and all-terrain vehicles not allowed.
- During the walk-in season please contact the Superior National Forest for information.
Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or two vehicles per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).
Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Click here to learn more about Superior National Forest. Superior National Forest
Natural Features
The facility overlooks 130-acre Fenske Lake, a small and scenic body of water surrounded by dense hardwood and pine forests in the northwoods of Minnesota. Birds and wildlife are abundant in the area.
Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, is comprised of 3-million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border.
Nearby Attractions
Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways.
Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over 1-million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extends nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.
Additional sites of interest
Recreation
Because of its proximity to access points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its status as a Superior National Forest canoe circle route, Fenske Lake is very popular for canoeing and kayaking.
Families and children enjoy exploring the short, 1-mile nature trail in the campground, as well as swimming at the grassy beach or waiting for a catch on the accessible fishing pier. Anglers can make use of the boat ramp and try their luck for bass, northern pike, crappie and sunfish.
View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Contact Information
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KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT 1393 HIGHWAY 169 ELY MN 55731
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT: 218-365-7600, CONCESSIONAIRE (SUMMER): 218-365-2963
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Ely, Minnesota, travel east on State Highway 169 North (toward Winton) for about 1 mile. Turn left onto County Road 88 and travel about 2 miles. Turn right onto Echo Trail and continue about 7 miles to the campground entrance on the right.
Available Campsites
- Site 012, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Walk To
- Site 001, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Walk To
- Site 008, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Walk To
- Site 010, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Walk To
- Site 016, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND , Type Walk To
