Birch Lake Campground

Birch Lake Campground is located in Superior National Forest near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, about 13 miles from Ely, Minnesota. It is an ideal place to relax while enjoying fishing, boating and other recreational activities. Fishing, boating and canoeing are popular on Birch Lake. Anglers can use the boat ramp or try their luck from shore to catch northern pike, perch, crappie and walleye. There are no horsepower limitations for boats on the lake, and the shoreline is inviting for campers interested in canoeing. Families also enjoy berry picking during the summer and early fall months. The campground features shaded campsites, each with a picnic table, tent pad and campfire ring with grill, organized into two loops, all near the water and well-separated by dense forest. The north loop also has a group site to accommodate up to 45 people, with eight back-in parking spurs and an open play area. The south loop has two camper cabins: two-room cabins with two sets of bunk beds in the back bedroom, and a main area with a table, chairs and futon in the front room. The cabins sleep up to 6 people and offer the indoor/outdoor camping experience with a front porch, and a heater is provided for those cooler Minnesota nights. Guests must supply their own linens and supplies; there is no electricity, water or indoor kitchen. Vault toilets and a hand pump for drinking water are provided, and firewood is available for purchase. Birch Lake covers 7,628 acres and is one of a series of lakes in the area. The campground lies in aspen and birch forest, and birds and wildlife are abundant. Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, is comprised of 3 million acres and spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border. Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas, and the forest is also home to three scenic byways. Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is over 1 million acres in size, 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.