Fall Lake

Fall Lake Campground is located on the shores of Fall Lake and provides direct access into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The campground opens in early May in time for walleye fishing season, making it a popular place for anglers. Others are drawn to Fall Lake for its birding, swimming, hiking and boating opportunities. 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. Part of Fall Lake lies within the BWCAW, while the rest of the lake is open to unrestricted boating; permits are required to enter the BWCAW. Kids love the campground's swimming beach, playground and picnic area, and a 1.5-mile hiking trail is also a favorite pastime for families. Anglers can try their luck for smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, perch and bluegill. Some campers might be interested in the unique opportunity to view the visitor center's display of replica artifacts found during archaeological digs within the campground and surrounding areas. There's no shortage of popular local events to attend, including the City of Ely's July 4th fireworks, the Blueberry Festival on the last full weekend in July, and the Harvest Moon Festival in mid-September. This lake has some sites that can be reserved and some that are first-come, first-served. Many sites at Fall Lake are made to accommodate RVs, including pull-through sites, and trees provide privacy between most campsites. The facility is very accessible. A store, canoe rentals, firewood and ice are available at the facility, and a campground host is on-site during the season. The campground is nestled among majestic pine and abundant aspen and fir trees, providing the ultimate northwoods setting. Average summer temperatures are a pleasant 60-75 degrees, and birds and wildlife are abundant. Guests may want to take a day trip to the Dorothy Molter Museum, International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center, Ely-Winton History Museum or Soudan Mine, but by far the most popular nearby attraction is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness itself — over one million acres in size, containing over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.