Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites

- Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans seeking the quintessential, quiet Northwoods escape, the Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites, nestled deep within the Superior National Forest, represents an accessible yet distinctly remote destination. This small, picturesque single-loop campground is situated on a peninsula reaching out into the glacier-carved Lake Jeanette, offering an experience that feels much more isolated than its convenient proximity to the Echo Trail suggests. The facility is a product of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) efforts of the 1930s, imbuing it with a rustic, historical charm that appeals to true outdoor enthusiasts. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Lake Jeanette provides a unique combination of maintained drive-in sites and genuinely primitive backcountry options, making it a perfect basecamp for everything from a weekend family retreat to a self-sufficient wilderness adventure.

The campground's deliberate small size—featuring only a limited number of standard and walk-in sites—ensures a level of peace and solitude often difficult to find in larger, more commercial camping areas. Its location provides immediate access to the 638-acre lake for water activities and connects directly to an extensive network of hiking trails, solidifying its reputation as a haven for canoeing, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing in the heart of Minnesota's beloved Arrowhead Region.

Location and Accessibility

Lake Jeanette Campground is strategically located on the famous Echo Trail near Ely, Minnesota, a town revered as the main gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The official address is Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731, placing it in the heart of the Superior National Forest’s LaCroix Ranger District. While the physical address is 'Ely,' it is important for local travelers to note that the campground is approximately 32 miles northeast of Orr, or a lengthy, scenic drive from Ely itself, along the often-unpaved and winding Echo Trail (County Road 116). This road, while offering breathtaking scenery, is notoriously dry in certain seasons, resulting in dusty conditions that local users should be prepared for, as customer reviews frequently mention.

Accessibility to the sites is multi-faceted:

• Drive-In Sites: Most of the main campground sites are pull-in spots designed for tents, tent trailers, and moderately sized RVs (typically up to 35 feet), with parking available directly on the site spur.
• Walk-In/Tent-Only Sites: Several designated spots require a short hike from the parking area, offering superior seclusion and privacy, often situated with the best lake views.
• Boat-In Backcountry Sites: The campground includes a basic boat launch, which is serviceable for canoes and small motorized boats, providing access to six dispersed backcountry campsites nestled on the northern and eastern shores of Lake Jeanette. These require watercraft to reach.

Services Offered

As a Forest Service campground, Lake Jeanette provides essential services that balance comfort with a rustic, low-impact camping philosophy. Visitors should be prepared for a semi-primitive experience without modern hookups or amenities like showers.

• Potable Drinking Water: Clean well water is available via a hand pump or faucet in the developed campground area, though availability is seasonal.
• Vault Toilets (Outhouses): Accessible vault toilets are maintained in the main campground loop and at the walk-in sites, providing necessary sanitation (campers should consider bringing their own toilet paper).
• Campsite Furnishings: Every designated campsite, including the standard and walk-in spots, is equipped with a picnic table and a sturdy metal fire ring with a cooking grate.
• Designated Tent Pads: Cleared, level areas are provided for pitching tents, helping to preserve the forest understory and ecosystem.
• Boat Launch: A simple, carry-down boat launch is available for easy access to Lake Jeanette for canoes, kayaks, and small fishing boats.
• On-Site Ranger Presence: While unstaffed 24/7, the campground is managed by the Superior National Forest’s LaCroix Ranger District.

Features / Highlights

The unique features of Lake Jeanette make it an exceptional destination, highly valued by Minnesotans who appreciate its quiet, natural beauty and its recreational offerings.

• Astrid Lake Trail Access: The campground provides a direct trailhead to the beautiful Astrid Lake Hiking Trail, offering over seven miles of scenic hiking that winds through the forest and connects to other nearby small lakes.
• Superior Lake Views: A significant number of the sites, particularly the coveted walk-in and lakeshore spots, offer spectacular, unobstructed views of Lake Jeanette, enhancing the sense of peaceful seclusion and providing picturesque sunrise and sunset opportunities.
• Excellent Paddling and Fishing: Lake Jeanette's winding shoreline and islands are perfect for exploration by canoe or kayak. The lake is well-known for fishing opportunities, notably Walleye, Northern Pike, and Perch, offering rewarding experiences for local anglers.
• Stargazing and Northern Lights: Given its remote location far from major cities and light pollution, the campground is an exceptional spot for night-sky viewing, with common sightings of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during optimal times of the year, especially in the fall.
• Wildlife Encounters: The location deep in the national forest is a prime area for viewing Northwoods wildlife, including Ruffed Grouse, White-tailed Deer, and occasionally Black Bears, adding an element of wilderness excitement to the stay.

Contact Information

For reservations, current conditions, and general inquiries, contact the managing agency for the Superior National Forest.

Address: Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731, USA (Physical location on the Echo Trail)

Phone: (218) 666-0020 (Superior National Forest, LaCroix Ranger District)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Lake Jeanette Campground is perfectly tailored for the Minnesota resident who cherishes genuine solitude and a back-to-basics wilderness experience. Its suitability lies in its balance: it is close enough to access via the historic Echo Trail, yet remote enough to feel truly unplugged—a fact emphasized by the general lack of cell service and the deep woods environment. For locals who fish, paddle, and hike, Lake Jeanette provides immediate access to high-quality recreation without the intensive planning and permit process required for the BWCAW, though it mirrors that wilderness experience closely. It appeals to those who understand and accept the minor trade-offs—like the dusty access road or the basic outhouses—for the profound reward of a quiet lakeside campfire and the chance to witness the Northern Lights from a secluded spot in the great Superior National Forest. It is a place where Minnesotans can truly recharge and reconnect with the unspoiled natural heritage of their state.

Lake Jeanette Campground & Backcountry Sites

Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731, USA