Sawbill Lake Campground, Tofte, MN

Sawbill Lake Campground is located in the Tofte Ranger District, Superior National Forest (2 hrs 12 min northeast of Duluth, MN) with an elevation of 1,828 feet. There are a total of 23 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. 16 sites can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. There is a fee of $18.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, general store, laundry facility. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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Campsite Reviews (102)

4.7 out of 5

5 star		77%
4 star		14%
3 star		1%
2 star		4%
1 star		2%

@KevinM8804744 · Camped on Sep 28, 2024 at Campsite #13

Sawbill Outfitters are the best!Campground is clean and quiet.

@ConorY8DE76202 · Camped on Sep 23, 2024 at Campsite #28

Great campsites, with a wonderful staff at the outfitter store.

@PattiV176894ED · Camped on Sep 6, 2024 at Campsite #24

Beautiful as usual

@RossMDA8D4647E · Camped on Aug 31, 2024 at Campsite #43

We were heading into the Boundary Waters. The campsite is at a very convenient location immediately adjacent to the outfitters we rented the canoe from. Water was readily available and the vault toilets were clean. All I ask for from a National Forest campground.

@PamelaA8210131 · Camped on Aug 27, 2024 at Campsite #11

So incredibly disappointed with what Sawbill Lake Campground has become. The transition from FCFS to partial reservations is bad enough, but now the rigs with generators, the young people with a generator to run a table saw and chain saw, loud people arguing in the middle of the night , and uncontrolled barking dogs... all over the top. And this was during the week, not the weekend! Historically this was a campground for those who enjoy tent camping and the BWCA wilderness, including the peace and quite of nature. NOT GENERATORS ALL DAY LONG!!! The reservation system needs to go...the host spent every morning changing out the tags from all the no-shows. Colossal waste of time and energy, not to mention no one else can use the site! There should be huge fines for no-shows. IMO, the Forest Service needs to stop the reservation system at Sawbill and institute a NO-GENERATOR policy. Very disappointing experience, we left 2 days early. I tried to cancel the last 2 nights so someone else could reserve it, but Recreation.gov does not allow it until AFTER the last day of the reservation. Unbelievable system. After coming to Sawbill for decades, we will not be back...

@PaulB8317136 · Camped on Aug 9, 2024 at Campsite #43

We try to do this trip each year

@HeidiK3391BCE1 · Camped on Aug 3, 2024 at Campsite #36

Amazing stay as always! Staff are absolutely incredible! So helpful and friendly! Amazing place to just get away from the city and destress!!

@WillND69CF1A42 · Camped on Jul 31, 2024 at Campsite #20

Sawbill Canoe Outfitters is an extraordinary place. The business is very well run and the staff are extremely friendly and hospitable. Its always a wonderful experience!

@DougP9829816 · Camped on Jul 30, 2024 at Campsite #2

One of my favorite car campgrounds anywhere! Beautiful setting, and I love the outfitters store by the campground.

@EmilyV9701922 · Camped on Jul 27, 2024 at Campsite #8

Very nice and clean campground. We were on site #8, and while there is a trail that led to the water, it was too steep for us to want to try for the one evening we stayed. We had no problem with our tent and the site would easily accomodate a camper, too. Not overly large, but easy walk to the amenities, canoe storage, and boat launch.

@JanS3850233 · Camped on Jul 21, 2024 at Campsite #3

The boundary waters of northern Minnesota are both beautiful and unbelievably peaceful.literally no noise, just nature at its best. You unplug from electronic distractions and be at peace with the beauty of undisturbed lakes and forest.

@EricG3571303 · Camped on Jul 15, 2024 at Campsite #38

plenty of room for 2 large tents on our site, well maintained campground with easy access to toilets and water station, walking path to lake. Garbage/recycling available at Sawbill Outfitters. Be prepared for mosquitos. Overall great experience and nice campground.

@NancyM7309003 · Camped on Jul 4, 2024 at Campsite #33

Sites are large, flat for tenting. Very nice.

@MarkI5795362 · Camped on Jul 1, 2024 at Campsite #7

Sawbill is a beautiful campground and was the perfect staging point for our BWCA trip. The campground hostess was there to greet us and explain things.

@AnthonyD543568 · Camped on Jun 22, 2024 at Campsite #13

We always enjoy our time at Sawbill Campground.We stay 5-6 days in a travel trailer and take day trips on the lake. Prepare for mosquitoes and always bring a NOAA weather radio if no cell service

@PhilipL5506284 · Camped on Jun 17, 2024 at Campsite #41

Very nice campgrounds with plenty of available toilets and drinking water within short distance of sites. Local outfitter is solid for any rentals you might need and has a decent store with drinks, camping necessities and other items. Would not hesitate to visit here again if it's part of a trip to the BWCAW.

@Angelique57C96 · Camped on Jun 8, 2024 at Campsite #13

Amazing experience as always. Great site set up, easy to back camper into site. Friendly and helpful staff.

@ChrisO1464949 · Camped on Jun 3, 2024 at Campsite #11

Great week, Aug 18-23. No bugs, no rain and lots of fishSawbill rental - Baker put-in - Peterson - Kelly - Burnt. Nice camp on peninsula - day trip to Smoke illusive fish there.Portage from Baker to Peterson was a bit challenging - all the rest of the portages were as anticipated.Reservation process was easy and seamless.Thank you BWCA

@JeffreyE305001 · Camped on Jun 3, 2024 at Campsite #8

Very clean sites. Well maintained roads and trails. Outfitting service and staff are world class. I hope to return year after year.

@SteveS6334481 · Camped on Sep 16, 2023 at Campsite #40

Easy reservation process and campsites as advertised, described, and depicted. Very convenient having the Sawbill Outfitters store immediately adjacent too.

@RaymondT6D4793 · Camped on Sep 14, 2023 at Campsite #33

Very nice campground, quiet, well maintained, clean. Easy access to lake for canoeing. Very nice store for such a remote location.

@GregK7205418 · Camped on Sep 13, 2023 at Campsite #2

Thanks so much for the Memorable time. All the crew were extremely informed. And as always Very helpful. Looking forward to seeing you again. P.S. Seeing the Moose made it that much more Beautiful.

@PeterN5732823 · Camped on Aug 22, 2023 at Campsite #35

staff were young & disengaged; felt like they were not interested in providing informative answers to our questions. campground & lake launch was over-crowded.latrines were toxic with ammonia gas. not exaggerating - if i had had an ammonia gas monitor i suspect it would have pegged out over the safe to breath threshold. i know because i am an environmental engineer experienced working at wastewater treatment plants where ammonia gas safety is a paramount issue.problem probably due to poor design and/or improper siting. latrines will not work properly if they are saturated with groundwater which is what i observed.i know the usfs can do a better job.all in all a very poor experience.

@ChrisO1464949 · Camped on Aug 7, 2023 at Campsite #2

Great location and amenities.

@AlbertB7132260 · Camped on Aug 3, 2023 at Campsite #35

Great launch point for the BWCA. General store has everything you could need and the camp sites are perfect for even our group of 9!

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