USDA Forest Service · Minnesota
Fall Lake
USDA Forest Service · Minnesota, United States
- Sites
- 66
- Hookups
- 53 electric, 9 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to September 25
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,348 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T good · Verizon good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- FALL LAKE (NFSR 551) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Superior National Forest
- Nearest town
- ELY
- Address
- KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT, ELY, MN, 55731
- Phone
- KAWISHIWI RANGER DISTRICT: 218-365-7600, CONCESSIONAIRE (SUMMER): 218-365-2963
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Picnic Tables, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
66 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
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. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border.
Recreation
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. View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Kids love the campground's swimming beach, playground and picnic area. 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 (the last full weekend in July) and the Harvest Moon Festival-mid September.
Facilities
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. 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.
Natural Features
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. Birds and wildlife are abundant.
Nearby Attractions
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.
By far the most popular nearby attraction is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over one million acres in size, the Boundary Waters contain over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17° | 0° | -27° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 17° | 3° | -25° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 33° | 19° | -8° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 42° | 29° | 9° | 64° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 61° | 41° | 30° | 81° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 70° | 53° | 43° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 61° | 51° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 75° | 60° | 55° | 90° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 69° | 54° | 41° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 50° | 40° | 25° | 71° | 3 of 10 |
| November | 35° | 28° | 5° | 56° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 24° | 13° | -14° | 45° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- South Kawishiwi River · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 33 sites
- Fenske Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 10 mi · 16 sites
- Birch Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 32 sites
- Bear Head Lake State Park · Minnesota State Parks · 19 mi · 73 sites
- Babbitt Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 20 mi
All public campgrounds in Minnesota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.