Fenske Lake Campground

- 2229 Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans seeking the authentic, deep-woods experience without committing to a full-scale Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) trip, Fenske Lake Campground presents a superb middle ground. Nestled approximately ten miles outside the iconic northern hub of Ely, this U.S. Forest Service facility offers an inviting escape into the heart of the Superior National Forest. Fenske Lake is beloved by locals for its peaceful atmosphere, large, well-spaced sites, and majestic surroundings of towering pine and dense hardwood forests.

This is not a crowded recreational park; it is a small, remote campground that emphasizes connection with nature. It’s situated overlooking 130-acre Fenske Lake, a scenic body of water that serves as an excellent starting point for various outdoor activities. It functions perfectly as a tranquil basecamp—a place where you can relax, fish, and hike, while still being minutes away from the outfitting services and unique shops of Ely, or a short drive from numerous entry points into the true wilderness of the BWCAW.

Known for its clean, well-maintained facilities and friendly campground hosts, Fenske Lake Campground is a destination that balances rustic Northwoods charm with essential comforts. Visitors often note the abundance of wildlife, from visiting grouse foraging for raspberries to the ubiquitous sights and sounds of the Minnesota wilderness, all combining to create a memorable and genuinely local camping experience.

Location and Accessibility

Fenske Lake Campground is situated along the renowned Echo Trail, a celebrated scenic byway and a primary access corridor for the eastern section of the Superior National Forest and the BWCAW. The physical address is 2229 Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731, USA. This location places it conveniently about 10 miles northwest of the city of Ely, making it a very accessible escape for weekend warriors and extended vacationers alike.

Access is straightforward: from Ely, travelers take State Highway 169 North for a short distance before turning onto County Road 88 (Fenske Lake Road) and then the Echo Trail. The final few miles of the drive immerse you in the beautiful, dense forest scenery that characterizes the Arrowhead Region.

While the campground is drive-in accessible and suitable for moderately sized recreational vehicles, it retains a wonderfully secluded feel. The roads and sites are generally arranged in a large, simple loop, with sites widely spaced to maximize privacy. Furthermore, Fenske Lake itself serves as a crucial point on a canoe circle route, providing paddlers with the opportunity to portage into smaller, more remote lakes like Little Sletten, Sletten, Tee, and Everett, greatly expanding local exploration options right from your campsite.

Services Offered

As a U.S. Forest Service campground, Fenske Lake Campground provides well-maintained, but intentionally rustic, essential amenities to support a traditional camping experience:

• Campground Hosts: Dedicated hosts are typically on-site during the operating season, providing information, assistance, and ensuring the facility remains clean and orderly.
• Drinking Water: Potable drinking water is available via electric-powered faucets or pumps in the summer months, a highly valued service at a remote location.
• Restrooms: The facility offers very clean vault or pit toilets (outhouses). While modern flush toilets and showers are not typically available, the existing restrooms are well-maintained by the campground staff.
• Group Site: A designated group campsite is available, perched high on a rock ledge overlooking the lake, offering a spectacular, private view. This site is specifically designed to accommodate larger groups, usually between 10 to 25 people.
• Waste Disposal: Designated dumpsters are provided within the campground loop for the convenient and responsible disposal of garbage, ensuring the wilderness surrounding the sites remains clean.
• Firewood: Firewood is often available for purchase from the camp host, which helps prevent the spread of invasive species by discouraging visitors from bringing wood from outside the area ("Don't move firewood").

Features / Highlights

Fenske Lake Campground is recognized for several distinct natural and recreational features that make it a local favorite for its quality of experience:

• Excellent Water Access: The campground boasts a shallow boat landing and a grassy beach area for swimming. This easy access to the water is ideal for launching canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats for a day on the lake.
• Accessible Fishing Pier: A notable feature is the accessible fishing pier. A paved path, approximately 750 feet long, winds down to the pier from the parking lot, providing a safe and stable structure for anglers of all ages and abilities to try their luck for bass, northern pike, crappie, and sunfish.
• Campground Hiking Trail: A quick, manageable 1-mile hiking path loops through the woods around the campground. This easy-walking nature trail offers beautiful lake views, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and is perfect for families or a quick, restorative morning walk.
• Secluded Campsite Locations: Many sites are tent-friendly and are celebrated for being widely spaced along a large loop, providing a high degree of privacy and a strong feeling of seclusion beneath large, mature pine trees. Specific sites along the lake's edge are highly sought after for their scenic overlook or proximity to the water.
• Basecamp for BWCAW: Its location on the Echo Trail makes it an ideal “drive-up” basecamp for those planning day-paddles or short, multi-day excursions into the nearby BWCAW entry points, providing a convenient staging area with the comfort of drive-in amenities.

Contact Information

Fenske Lake Campground is managed by the Kawishiwi Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. All official inquiries regarding reservations, site availability, and current conditions should be directed to the District Office:

Address:

Kawishiwi Ranger District

2229 Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731, USA

Phone:

Phone: (218) 365-7600

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Fenske Lake Campground is perfectly suited for Minnesotans because it embodies the quintessential Northwoods experience while remaining conveniently accessible. It's close enough to the culture and outfitting resources of Ely to be practical, yet deep enough in the Superior National Forest to feel genuinely remote. For local families, the clean bathrooms, the accessible fishing pier, the swimming area, and the short, safe nature trail provide comfortable entry points into outdoor recreation. For anglers and paddlers, the lake offers excellent fishing and a direct canoe route into smaller, quieter satellite lakes, serving as a non-wilderness alternative to the BWCAW itself. Fenske Lake offers that cherished Minnesota blend of majestic pine solitude, high-quality, though rustic, facilities, and abundant outdoor opportunities. It’s a reliable, peaceful, and profoundly beautiful place to escape the city and reconnect with the natural landscapes that define Minnesota life.

Fenske Lake Campground

2229 Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731, USA