
Fenske Lake Campground
ELY, Minnesota
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What we do know
Inside Superior National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
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Campsite availability
Live from Recreation.gov for Fenske Lake Campground.
Here's your stay, mapped
Fenske Lake Campground
Suggested plan · check conditions before you go
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About this 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. 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 Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (218) 365-2963.
Directions & GPX
Facts about this campground
When to go
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Ely, MN weather station, 5.6 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan15° high-7° low
- Feb23° high-5° low
- Mar36° high10° low
- Apr51° high25° low
- May65° high38° low
- Jun75° high49° low
- Jul79° high53° low
- Aug78° high52° low
- Sep68° high44° low
- Oct52° high32° low
- Nov34° high19° low
- Dec21° high3° low
Where it is
- Kawishiwi Ranger District · Ranger district
- Superior National Forest · National forest
- Managed by
- Forest Service
Conditions
Active alerts for Superior National Forest as of Oct 10, 2026:
information · posted Sep 30, 2026
Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
critical · posted Sep 30, 2026
Fall prescribed fire–pile burning
information · posted Sep 25, 2026
Watch for Wildfire Hazards While Recreating
information · posted Sep 14, 2026
Forest Road Improvement Projects
caution · posted Sep 2, 2026
Conditions of Use Restrictions for the Superior
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
BWCAW Bear Aware Food Storage Order
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Lake County Bridge 38535–New Tomahawk Road Construction Project
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Onion River Bridge on the Superior Hiking Trail Replacement
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Wildfire Emergency Closure Issued for Affected Recreation Sites
critical · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- Fenske CampgroundHiking0.1 mi
- Everett-FenskiHiking0.2 mi
- North Junction-South LoopCross-country skiing0.8 mi
- Moose LoopCross-country skiing0.9 mi
- NORTH JUNCTION-CENTER LOOPHiking1 mi
- Circle RouteCanoeing2.1 mi
- Science BoulderRock climbing7.9 mi
- Fall LakeCamping9.6 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Add to a trip & share
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