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State Park

Photo: FSPublic domainRecreation.gov

Fenske Lake Campground

Ely, MN

Verify with the state park system

State parks set their own rules and reservation systems. Fire bans, road closures, and operating dates change seasonally — check the state park website before traveling.

Directions

16

Total Sites

0.0

0 Reviews

15 Tent10 RV1 Group

Official sources & verification

Managed by State Park

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Verify by phone or mail

We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this campground using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: Aug 8, 2026. Our copy is more than a month old — please reconfirm with the agency before relying on it.Spot an error in our data?

Live availability

via Recreation.gov
See every open campground nearbySame dates & filters, across the whole area

Availability is a recent snapshot, not a live hold — you always complete the booking on recreation.gov.

About

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](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/maps-pubs/?cid=stelprdb5202373) 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](http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/superior/home/?cid=fsm91_049663&width=full)

Reviews

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How busy it gets

Recreation.gov
Well reviewed4.7

82 camper reviews on Recreation.gov

Amenities

Flush Toilets
Potable Water
Picnic Tables
Fire Rings
Trash Service
Cell Service

Cell reception

Camper reports · checked Sep 29, 2026

Some Coverage

Average 1.8 of 4 bars · 57 reports across 3 carriers

Phone calls may occasionally drop; text messages may be delayed. Data service may be unusable. Drop-outs are common and it may be necessary to search for signal. Social media likely unusable.

  • Verizon

    Some Coverage

    1.7/4

    22 reports

  • AT&T

    Some Coverage

    2.2/4

    22 reports

  • T-Mobile

    Major Issues

    1.5/4

    13 reports

Reported by campers on Recreation.gov, not measured by us. Reception varies by handset, weather, and where you stand in the campground. Recreation.gov

Check-in & Check-out

Check-in 3:00 PM

Check-out 12:00 PM

Campground Rules

  • Campfires generally permitted — verify current fire restrictions before lighting

Reservations

This campground accepts reservations. Book early for popular dates.

Make a Reservation

Individual Sites (16)

001
#001

001

Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Check official pricing Max 9 guests36 ft
CampsiteStandardPets OKCampfires
Reserve
002
#002

002

Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Check official pricing Max 9 guests80 ft
CampsiteStandardPets OKCampfires
Reserve
003
#003

003

Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Check official pricing Max 9 guests44 ft
CampsiteStandardPets OKCampfires
Reserve
004
#004

004

Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND

Check official pricing Max 9 guests32 ft
CampsiteStandardPets OKCampfires
Reserve
005
#005

005

Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND

CampsiteWalk-inPets OKCampfires
Reserve
006
#006

006

Loop FENSKE LAKE CAMPGROUND

CampsiteWalk-inPets OKCampfires
Reserve

Within ~30 miles

Trails near Fenske Lake Campground

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