Superior National Forest
RV Guide
Introduction
Stretching from the shores of Lake Superior and along the deep woods and lakes of the Canadian border, Superior National Forest offers recreation opportunities for serious fishermen, canoers, and outdoor enthusiasts. At almost four million acres in size, this massive National Forest offers a chance to explore remote boreal forests, pristine lakes, and spectacular rivers in Minnesota.
Over a quarter of this vast forest is designated as a Wilderness Area, set aside under the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. This landscape of connected lakes and waterways creates a canoe trail that will pull you away from your camper and take you back to a time before motorized access and modern life. Accessible by a permit system, you will find solitude, as well as dazzling nature and vistas in the thousands of acres of forested lakeshores.
Outside of the Boundary Waters, there are still dozens of lakes and cold water streams to visit in this rolling terrain created by glacial outwash. No major mountains bisect the area. Instead, it is the slight hills and water filled lowlands of this coniferous and northern hardwood forest that attracts recreationalists.
Across this large National Forest, 37 campgrounds offer suitable stopping points for RVs. To help you choose a place to pull up with your trailer, we will highlight three fantastic places to call home under the tall trees and nightly stars of this amazing area.
RV Rentals in Superior National Forest
Transportation
Driving
Only one major state road traverses a section of Superior National Forest, meaning most of the roadways consist of smaller local roads and gravel forest access roads. With such a large portion of the National Forest designated as a Wilderness Area and accessible only by canoe, you’ll find getting around this forest with a vehicle very limited. Float planes and boats are your best routes to truly get into the heart of this large northern and lake filled forest.
While most secondary roads are paved and in good condition, they may be narrow. Check for overhanging branches, especially if driving a taller rig. There are parking areas in the scattered towns located within the forest’s boundaries, at trailheads, and campgrounds.
If you decide to venture onto the gravel forest access roads, be cautious of potholes and muddy sections, as well as narrow roadways and low branches. Turnaround spots on forest roads may be difficult to find. Plan ahead before venturing down roadways in longer RVs or with trailers.
If visiting during the winter, heavy snow can make roadways treacherous. Have appropriate snow tires on your camper or leave it behind and head out on a snowmobile instead. Drive with caution and keep speeds low.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Superior National Forest
Campsites in Superior National Forest
Reservations camping
East Bearskin Lake Campground
Located at the edge of the boundary waters, East Bearskin Lake Campground offers the feel of the Wilderness Boundary Waters while allowing the camping comfort of your RV. With 33 campsites, you can pick a spot to enjoy quiet evenings amid the lakes while loons call from the water.
The campground is located on a dirt access road less than five miles off of paved route 12. All vehicle sites are naturally surfaced and back-in. Some might not be suitable to your camper. Bearskin Lodge manages the campground and can answer questions if you are going to make reservations or are worried about fitting in your rig. The campsites are best suited to medium or smaller campervans.
The campground offers latrine-style toilets and a solar powered faucet. However, there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups, so it is best to come with your water topped off and holding tanks empty to avoid a very long drive out of the National Forest to a campground with dump facilities.
First-come first-served
McDougal Lake Campground
Located on pristine McDougal Lake, this quiet campground is less than half a mile from paved Route 1. Lying near the heart of Superior National Forest, you can drop your boat in the water from the campground to explore the 323-acre McDougal Lake or head out to visit other areas of the National Forest.
The campground features 21 vehicle accessible campsites. A registration kiosk with fee envelopes is available at the campground entrance. All sites are naturally surfaced and most are wide and deep enough to accommodate a larger RV. However, some sites are more suitable for tent camping.
The campsites come with a picnic table and fire ring, but no electric, sewer, or water hookups are available at the campground. There is a solar powered water pump and latrine style toilets. It is best to arrive with your holding tanks empty and water tanks full to enjoy the quiet of this campground and avoid a long drive to dump facilities.
From the campground, a short trail takes you to a swimming beach or you can stretch your legs on the mile-long interpretive loop that wanders along the lakeshore before heading into the woodlands.
Ninemile Lake Campground
Located on pristine Ninemile Lake, Ninemile Lake Campground is less than ten miles from the shores of Lake Superior. This great spot will have you enjoying the quiet of nature with the easy accessibility of the tourist attractions and restaurants of the nearby great lake commercial area.
This first-come, first-served campground holds 26 RV accessible campsites on a forested loop. About half the sites have lake access to enjoy the spectacular setting of northern forests and idyllic shores. All sites are back-in, but most are deep enough for larger campers. Some of the naturally surfaced sites might slope, and watch out for mud when parking your camper. The campsites have picnic tables and fire rings for your convenience.
A registration kiosk is available at the campground entrance. During the summer, a host should be on site to answer any questions. A solar powered water pump is available in the campground, as are latrine style toilets. However, there are no sewer, water, or electric hookups in the campground. But the location so close to the more commercial centers along the shores of Lake Superior mean that finding a dump station or water fill-up for your RV isn’t too long of a drive.
The campground contains a boat launch and a five mile hiking trails so that you can explore the lake or the woodlands and leave your camper tucked into its site. At night, enjoy a campfire or gazing at the stars from the shore as loons call.
Seasonal activities in Superior National Forest
In-Season
Boating
With over 2,000 lakes, being on the water is a major draw of visiting Superior National Forest. The Boundary Waters Wilderness Area contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes across over 1,000 lakes and one million acres of forest. If you prefer to drop a motorized boat into the water, there are over 50 boat ramps to choose from that will give you a chance to explore the lakes and shorelines of this amazing forest.
Fishing
With so many lakes within its forest borders, Lake Superior National Forest beckons anglers from all over the world. There are over 70 lake access points and 13 fishing piers, not to mention miles of rivers to drop in a line. Most waterways harbor cold water species, including northern pike, rainbow trout, and yellow perch. The Forest Service requests you use lead free tackle to preserve the natural and healthy ecosystem within the forest.
OHV Riding
Spanning such a vast territory, venturing away from your rig in an OHV is a fantastic way to explore the northern boreal forest of Superior National Forest. Different sections of the forest have geo-referenced Motor Vehicle Use Maps to help you pick a trail for your ATV, off-highway motorcycle, or four wheel drive vehicle. If a trail is not indicated as being open to OHV use on the map, it is not open to motorized use even if no signage at the trailhead limits the use. All OHVs need to be registered and follow all listed rules.
Off-Season
Dog Sledding
Winter is a big thing in the north and there are many ways to enjoy it, such as mushing, which involves multiple dogs pulling a sled, or skijoring, which is a single dog pulling a skier. With that in mind, there are seven trails open to both of these activities. Plus, dog sleds are allowed to access the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area where they may share portages and routes with skiers. Most snowmobile trails, as well as cross-country travel, are also accessible to dog sledders.
Snowmobiling
With over 700 miles of trails open to snowmobile use, so heading out to enjoy the winter forest on your sled is a fantastic way to explore Superior National Forest. Weave around snow topped conifers and across frozen lakes, but be sure to watch out for dog sledders and cross-country skiers that might be using the same route. All snowmobiles must be registered and need to stay on designated trails as there are large sections of the forest not open to motorized access.
Hunting
All of Superior National Forest is open to hunting during appropriate seasons and with a valid license, including the Boundary Waters. The only exception is within designated recreation areas, such as campgrounds and boating sites, where guns cannot be discharged. Game species from water fowl to grouse to large animals such as deer can be found within the forest and its lakes, creating opportunities for a variety of hunters. Follow all Forest Service regulations regarding hunting and OHV-use to pick-up game.
