USDA Forest Service · Minnesota
McDougal Lake Campground
USDA Forest Service · Minnesota, United States
- Sites
- 21
- Hookups
- 8 with water, 17 no hookups
- Season
- May 14 to September 30
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,808 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- MCDOUGAL LAKE CAMPGROUND (NFSR 907) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Superior National Forest
- Nearest town
- Tofte
- Address
- PO Box 2159, Tofte, MN, 55615
- Phone
- 218-663-8063
- Activities
- Berry Picking, Birding, Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Motor Boat, Mushroom Picking, Non-Motorized Boating
21 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
McDougal Lake Campground provides easy access to a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming within the central part of Superior National Forest.
Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of three million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The one-mile hiking trail and campsites 17 and 19 were closed in 2021 due to impacts from the Greenwood Fire and will be closed until further notice.
Recreation
Kids will love the sandy swimming beach within the facility. A boat ramp and shoreline access provide anglers the opportunity for a leisurely afternoon of fishing for walleye and northern pike.
Facilities
This comfortable facility provides 13 first come, first served and 8 reservable campsites that are either drive-in sites suitable for RVs and trailers or hike-in sites for tent campers. Campsites are private and separated by woods. The facilities include water from a solar powered pump station and vault toilets. Five of the first come, first served sites are available for long term rental by contacting the Tofte Ranger District Office at 218-663-8060.
The one-mile hiking trail was closed in 2021 due to impacts from the Greenwood Fire and will be closed until further notice.
Natural Features
The 323-acre McDougal Lake is surrounded by a thick forest of birch, maple and pine and sits at an elevation of 1,800 ft. The area is peaceful, rustic and begs for relaxation. One unique feature of the lake is the wild rice growing within it. Birds and wildlife frequent its shores.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (218) 663-8060.
Nearby Attractions
Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake access areas, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways.
Fees
$18.00/night for one vehicle and one trailer. Additional vehicles or trailers on the site require an additional $9.00 fee to be paid. If you make a reservation online, you may pay the fee in advance with your reservation fee. Otherwise, the fee can be paid in the fee tube at the campground. All additional vehicles must be parked on the spur.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17° | 0° | -30° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 18° | 2° | -27° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 35° | 18° | -11° | 56° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 42° | 29° | 1° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 59° | 40° | 28° | 79° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 69° | 51° | 42° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 59° | 49° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 72° | 58° | 52° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 68° | 52° | 39° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 50° | 38° | 22° | 68° | 5 of 10 |
| November | 34° | 25° | 2° | 56° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 24° | 11° | -18° | 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
- Little Isabella River Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 11 sites
- Eighteen Lake Rustic Campground · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi
- Divide Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 13 mi
- Birch Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 32 sites
- South Kawishiwi River · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 33 sites
All public campgrounds in Minnesota · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-04-28. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.