Fenske Lake Campground

Overview

Fenske Lake Campground offers visitors an escape to a small, remote campground with large, majestic pine trees and easy access to water. It is a popular base camp for exploring, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and backcountry canoeing in Superior National Forest and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The campground lies approximately 10 miles outside of Ely, Minnesota.

Recreation

Because of its proximity to access points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and its status as a Superior National Forest canoe circle route, Fenske Lake is very popular for canoeing and kayaking.



Families and children enjoy exploring the short, 1-mile nature trail in the campground, as well as swimming at the grassy beach or waiting for a catch on the accessible fishing pier. Anglers can make use of the boat ramp and try their luck for bass, northern pike, crappie and sunfish.



View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.

Facilities

The campground is tent-friendly; most sites do not accommodate large RVs. Sites are spaced widely apart along a large loop. All sites have partial to full shade, and some overlook the lake.

A group campsite for 10 to 25 people is situated on a separate parking spur away from the main campground. The site is perched high on a rock ledge overlooking the lake, offering a spectacular view.

Families and groups of friends will enjoy the facility's small picnic area. An open log shelter is available for use during inclement weather.

Natural Features

The facility overlooks 130-acre Fenske Lake, a small and scenic body of water surrounded by dense hardwood and pine forests in the northwoods of Minnesota. Birds and wildlife are abundant in the area.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963.

Nearby Attractions

Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways.

Campers can also explore the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over 1-million acres in size, the Boundary Waters 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.

Additional sites of interest

Camp site features

Across 16 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 16 sites
  • ADA accessible: 4 of 16 sites
  • Group sites: 1 of 16 sites
  • Longest RV: 80 ft
  • Largest party: 25 people
  • Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From Ely, Minnesota, travel east on State Highway 169 North (toward Winton) for about 1 mile. Turn left onto County Road 88 and travel about 2 miles. Turn right onto Echo Trail and continue about 7 miles to the campground entrance on the right.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

83 reviews
5 stars
67
4 stars
11
3 stars
4
2 stars
1
J.Earl M
Loop:Fenske Lake Campground
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
I have been camping at Fenske every year for the last 10 years or since I first discovered it. This is the first time at the group site and it was magical. We had 16 people for the group camp all in tents and we could have had more people. What a great space what a great time of the year (late fall) to be there an experience the Northeast.
Anna N
Loop:Fenske Lake Campground
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
I appreciated that the trail to the fishing pier was paved, it made it easier to carry all my gear without worrying about tripping. The swimming area is well maintained and has a beautiful view.
Stephen H
Loop:Fenske Lake Campground
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Clean, uncrowned, convenient to many lakes
David & Maelene K
Loop:Fenske Lake Campground
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
The sites are nicely spread out and the pit toilets were clean.
Holly R
Loop:Fenske Lake Campground
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Gorgeous site but quite the hike in the recent 100 degree weather.
GREG T
Loop:Fenske Lake Campground
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Nice campsites and the outhouse facilities were very clean. Our stay was cut short due to the wildfires and shutdowns in the area but we'll be back!
Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve
Popularity: Very quiet

Busiest in November, when about 9% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 1 years of reservations.

Season dates

Peak season

May 7, 2027 – Sep 25, 2027

Reservable online

Peak season

May 7, 2028 – Sep 23, 2028

Reservable online

Camp Sites

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