BWCA Campsite #692: Your Secluded Northwoods Retreat on Little Caribou Lake, Grand Marais, MN

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region is one of the most treasured and truly remote wilderness areas in the United States. For Minnesota residents looking to escape the hustle of city life and immerse themselves in the deep solitude of the Northwoods, an overnight permit into the BWCAW is the key to an unparalleled experience. Nestled deep within this million-acre wilderness is BWCA Campsite #692, the single, exclusive campsite on Little Caribou Lake. This site has earned a reputation among local paddlers and wilderness enthusiasts as a truly premium destination, offering a classic Boundary Waters experience characterized by rugged beauty, privacy, and expansive lake views.

This destination is not a typical developed campground with running water and flush toilets; rather, it is a designated, undeveloped wilderness campsite, offering the purest form of backcountry camping. The experience here is one of total self-reliance, adhering strictly to the Leave No Trace principles that preserve the integrity of this globally unique environment.

The fact that this is the sole campsite on Little Caribou Lake greatly contributes to the sense of isolation and immersion that Minnesotans seek when they venture into the BWCAW. For a true Northwoods adventure, this site promises a private gateway to the natural, untamed beauty of the Superior National Forest. It serves as a base camp for fishing, day trips, or simply soaking in the silence that only true wilderness can provide. The site’s popularity is a testament to its quality, often making it a coveted prize for those paddling in the area.

Campsite #692 is geographically situated on a narrowing of Little Caribou Lake. To access the lake itself, most paddlers use the nearby designated entry points in the Gunflint Trail area, which lies north of Grand Marais. Little Caribou Lake is part of a canoe route system, meaning access involves a combination of paddling and portaging. Entry typically begins on a larger, more accessible lake, followed by at least one portage (a trail over land where you carry your canoe and gear) to reach the smaller, more secluded Little Caribou Lake. The nearest major community and outfitting hub is the quaint and historic harbor town of Grand Marais, MN.

The address provided—Little Caribou Lake, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA—is a general location for the lake itself, as there are no numbered street addresses or direct road access to the campsite. The final leg of the journey is exclusively by paddle and portage, ensuring that only those committed to a true wilderness experience will reach it. This multi-step accessibility is, in fact, one of its greatest advantages, acting as a natural filter that maintains the area's pristine, low-impact status.

The site is described by users as being elevated above the lake on a point or peninsula. While this provides exceptional views, it is also noted to have a somewhat rugged canoe landing on the east side, which requires careful staging and unloading of gear. The remoteness means visitors must be fully prepared with their own navigation tools, emergency supplies, and a thorough understanding of wilderness self-sufficiency.

As a designated BWCAW campsite, #692 offers a minimal, standardized set of public services and amenities intended to minimize human impact and maximize the wilderness experience.

Services Offered

A steel fire grate: Provided by the U.S. Forest Service for containing fires and cooking. Firewood must be collected from dead and downed wood, away from the campsite.
A wilderness latrine: A primitive, pit-style toilet (often a box with a seat over a pit) located a short distance away from the main camp area to protect water quality and promote sanitation.
Designated tent pads/areas: Flatter, cleared spaces where campers can pitch tents to avoid impacting natural vegetation. Reports indicate this site features at least three large, designated tent pads.
Lake access for water: Little Caribou Lake provides the water source. All water must be filtered, boiled, or chemically treated for drinking and cooking, as no potable water is available.
Mandatory food storage: Due to the presence of wildlife, including the bear noted in a user review, proper food storage (e.g., hanging food packs or using bear-resistant containers) is a mandatory safety and regulation requirement.

It is important to understand that this is a 'pack it in, pack it out' location. All trash, food scraps, and non-burnable materials must be carried out of the wilderness by the visitors themselves.

The unique geographical and scenic elements of Campsite #692 contribute to its high praise among the local paddling community. Its position on Little Caribou Lake provides distinct advantages that elevate the camping experience.

Features / Highlights

Exclusive Location: It is the only designated campsite on Little Caribou Lake, offering unparalleled privacy and a true feeling of having the lake to oneself, which is a rare luxury in the more heavily-traveled BWCAW areas.
Elevated Site with Views: The camp is situated high above the water, providing excellent, commanding views of the lake, particularly toward the west, which is ideal for watching sunsets.
Spacious Fire Grate and Kitchen Area: User reviews frequently highlight the excellent layout of the fire grate area, often described as spacious with good rock seating, sometimes humorously referred to as having "granite countertops," alluding to the natural stone slabs common in the area.
Good Tent Capacity: The site is noted for having multiple large, useable tent pads (upwards of three to seven, depending on the report), making it suitable for larger groups (up to the BWCAW maximum of nine people).
Access to Other Routes: The location offers paddling opportunities to other nearby lakes and portages, like the challenging portage to Pine Lake or proximity to Johnson Falls, making it a great base camp for exploration.
Excellent Wildlife Opportunities: Being deep in the wilderness, the site offers exceptional opportunities for viewing Minnesota's native wildlife, which, as one memorable customer review attests, includes black bears.

The BWCAW is a federal wilderness area managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Contact for the area is handled through the regional Ranger Districts. Direct inquiries about permits, rules, and current conditions are best directed to the appropriate agency office.

Contact Information

Address: Little Caribou Lake, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA (General Area)

For specific permit and regulation inquiries related to this region of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, please contact the Superior National Forest.

Phone: Due to the remote nature of the site, there is no direct phone number for the campsite itself. Visitors should be prepared for no cellular service. For official inquiries, contact the U.S. Forest Service - Superior National Forest (Tofte or Gunflint Ranger Districts are most relevant to the eastern BWCAW).

For Minnesotans, the BWCAW is not just a destination; it's a foundational part of the state's identity—a vast, accessible wilderness playground. Campsite #692 on Little Caribou Lake is perfectly suited for locals because it represents the highest quality of the authentic Northwoods experience. It offers a sought-after combination of challenging-but-rewarding accessibility, stunning natural features like the elevated viewpoint and sunset vistas, and, most importantly, seclusion.

The site caters to the local desire for deep solitude, being the only camp on the lake, thus maximizing the sense of escape. Its distance from the entry points and the required effort ensures that it is predominantly utilized by those who genuinely appreciate and respect the rigorous 'Leave No Trace' ethos that defines a true wilderness camper. For experienced local paddlers or those seeking to level up their camping adventures beyond a typical state park, this site offers a premier staging area for canoeing, fishing for walleye and smallmouth bass, or simply reconnecting with the wild heart of Minnesota. It is a place to test one’s mettle, create indelible memories, and truly understand the meaning of 'Minnesota nice' solitude, even if it comes with the occasional, necessary reminder to secure food from the local wildlife. The BWCAW, and specifically Campsite #692, is an essential pilgrimage for any Minnesota resident looking to fully embrace the heritage and majesty of the North Star State's natural landscape.