Fenske Lake Campground, Ely, MN

Fenske Lake Campground is located in the Kawishiwi Ranger District, Superior National Forest (2 hrs 13 min north of Duluth, MN) with an elevation of 1,521 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 11 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Make a Reservation
Picture of beach area.Picture of boatlanding.Picture of campsite with fire ring and table.Picture of campsite.Picture of Fenske Lake.Picture of group camping area.Picture of log buildingPicture of paved trail and sign.Picture of picnic table and fire ring.Picture of picnic tables.Picture of road and toilet building.Picture of trail and fishing pier.Trail in the woods.

Campsite Reviews (53)

4.8 out of 5

5 star
79%
4 star
13%
3 star
4%
2 star
0%
1 star
0%
@MaryM8380528 · Camped on Jul 27, 2024 at Campsite #7
The site was spotless, freshly raked, very large. Campground hosts were accessible and friendly.The swimming beach was charming. A couple more benches would be helpful.We lucked into site #7 due to a cancellation and it must be the most beautiful campsite in Minnesota! Long hill to set up/take down and use the restroom...but no complaints. Beautiful!
@MeredithJF9056 · Camped on Jul 23, 2024 at Campsite #10
We love Fenske campground. Very private sites and a nice beach.
@MichaelS838841 · Camped on Jul 4, 2024 at Campsite #12
This is one of Minnesotas best kept secrets. Large secluded campsites on a beautiful lake. Sure there arent many amenities but you come here for the beauty not the shower. The camp hosts are amazing too. They were so helpful when I needed assistance!
@ThomasM8282631 · Camped on Jun 23, 2024 at Campsite #10
Nice secluded campsites affording privacy
@DeanD2479372 · Camped on Jun 17, 2024 at Campsite #12
Nice quiet campground with lots of green space between campsites.
@TheresaW977292 · Camped on Jun 7, 2024 at Campsite #8
Campsite 8 is the one we stayed at. It was roomy and private. It's one of those campsites that was nicely done. The bathrooms were clean. I posted pictures in the Google reviews of Fenske Campground as the site was updated from the photos posted here.
@StephenH630534 · Camped on May 27, 2024 at Campsite #8
Close to bwca for day trips
@MacynH14D98168 · Camped on May 20, 2024 at Campsite #13
Beautiful, quiet campsite. Campsite host was incredibly understanding and helpful. Amazing experience here at Fenske
@ChrisS8694045 · Camped on Sep 22, 2023 at Campsite #10
Campsite 10 had a spectacular view! We also discovered the picnic area and played some board games. We love being so close to the start of the Ely Half Marathon :)
@CharlesL794562 · Camped on Sep 12, 2023 at Campsite #8
Very nice campground close to the Boundary Waters. Quiet and well kept. It's next to a lake, and on a paved road. There is a fishing pier and a swimming area. I will be back!
@KevinT2315580 · Camped on Aug 21, 2023 at Campsite #14
Seamless and quiet
@DonA6145826 · Camped on Aug 13, 2023 at Campsite #2
Nice campground. Lots of privacy. Bathrooms were immaculate.
@EricV1462766 · Camped on Jul 24, 2023 at Campsite #10
Perfect jump off for our BWCAW trip. The campground was well maintained and it seemed most campsites were situated with significant privacy. Great experience
@LisaP2727528 · Camped on Jul 23, 2023 at Campsite #12
Campsite was very clean and well kept. The host was very kind. The area and lake are gorgeous.Access to the lake from campsites was not the easiest and noise from the resort/rental cabins across the bay was pretty constant and louder then I wanted to be around on my "Northwoods" vacation.
@GlennA6C6628D2 · Camped on Jul 10, 2023 at Campsite #11
Nice clean campground. If there was water available, I couldn't find it!
@PHILIPW1366595 · Camped on Jul 8, 2023 at Campsite #2
Camp hosts were very nice.
@EliHED1563728B · Camped on Jun 17, 2023 at Campsite #8
Beautiful site that appears to have been recently updated. Having the fire pit down the steps form the parking space created a great secluded site. Small trail for access to the lake from the site
@DeanO0CA021DF6 · Camped on Jun 9, 2023 at Campsite #2
Small rustic campground on a peaceful lake near the BWCA. Some site maintenance was very well done since prior season. We go same time every year. Love it.
@MatthewM156652 · Camped on May 20, 2023 at Campsite #16
Our group was astonished at the kindness, hospitality and concern of the camp hosts. They greeted us with tips on how to see the Northern Lights, took photos of our canoe venture at our request, and made special arrangements for us to stay an additional night. It would be hard to imagine a more gracious welcome, not to mention the amazing sites. Fenske is the perfect balance between rugged and glamping. The ideal gateway to the Boundary Waters. We will certainly return.
@MarvinG7366622 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #9
The campground host is a nice, friendly guy who keeps the place in nice shape. It’s nice to paddle the length of Fenske and then go into little Sletten Lake and farther on.
@TracyH1362653 · Camped on Aug 8, 2022 at Campsite #10
Always a nice place to visit, bathrooms were very clean, campground hosts were very attentive, would recommend to anyone.
@JonathanK98137 · Camped on Aug 5, 2022 at Campsite #8
Beautiful Lake, great sites.
@AlbertB7132260 · Camped on Aug 4, 2022 at Campsite #12
Beautiful lake with well kept campsites. Perfect for a launch point into the BWCA!
@JosephH2807051 · Camped on Jul 31, 2022 at Campsite #10
Clean camp sites and facilities... Nice location within striking distance of BWCA. Nice to have Echo Trail Outfitters so close.
@JordanS9337574 · Camped on Jul 31, 2022 at Campsite #16
Great place to camp

Other Campgrounds Nearby

We track all the sites so you don't have to.

Reservation Systems

Campsites Tracking

Campsite Reviews

Available Tonight

Available this Weekend

Cancellations Today

PRO $2.50/month

You're in Control. We never save credit card information or auto-renew subscriptions.
  1. Availability Map Search
  2. 3000+ Interactive Campground Maps
  3. Campground Virtual Tours
  4. Save Your Favorite Campsites
  5. Favorite Campsites Availability
  6. Campground Mobile Speed Test Maps
  7. National Parks, Forests & Ranger District Layers
  8. Wildfires & Air Quality Map Layer
  9. Satellite View Map Layer
  10. Campsite SMS Cancellation Alerts
  11. Rent your Property & Cabins
  12. Love's & Super Walmart Map Layers
  13. Cracker Barrel & Bass Pro Shop Map Layers
  14. Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) Layer
  15. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Map Layer
  16. RV Propane, Parking, Dump, Water Map Layer
Pro is FREE for 7 days. (No credit card information required!)

Thanks to all our Supporting Members

@BranJen - Santa Clara, CA

I wanted to thank you for this site and especially for the notifications feature. Thanks to your site and my subscription I was able to book a campsite I've been annoyingly trying to book for 5 years unsuccessfully. So thank you.

@Wondering - Oregon

Wow! Woke up this morning to a notification that a favorite had opened at Paulina, and when I went to check, it was there. This membership just paid for itself in the first 24 hours I owned it. Couldn't take the site it conflicted with a trip already set, but it truly was there. Thanks Tons.

@CarlaLThompson - Colorado

I just love this site and I tell everyone about it! It's so competitive to secure desired campsites and the alerts really help track when sites free up. The best part of this story is our alert notified a cancellation the next day!!!!!! Just incredible!!!

Map Settings
Reset
Satellite View
Satellite
Wildfires
Wildfires
National Forests
National Forests
National Parks
National Parks
Air Quality
Air Quality
Bureau of Land Management
BLM
Motor Vehicle Use Maps
OHV MVUM
Love's Travel Stop
Love's
D
Dump Stations
W
Water
LP
Propane
P
RV Parking
Walmart Supercenter
Super Walmart
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel
Bass Pro Shop
Bass Pro Shops
 
Rating:
Price*:
Length:
Amps:
Elev:
feet
Temp:
°F
Down:
Up:
*Earn our Leave No Trace badge to see our free camping sites.