My Island West N25 Campsite

- Crane Lake, MN 55725

For Minnesota residents who consider the Northwoods their personal sanctuary, the **My Island West N25 Campsite** is the very definition of a treasured, secluded getaway. Nestled deep within the vast, water-centric beauty of Voyageurs National Park, this 'Small Campsite' offers a rare combination of privacy, natural beauty, and highly-desirable lakefront features. The campsite is a boat-in only destination, perfectly catering to the local culture of lake exploration and personal watercraft use, ensuring a uniquely quiet and unforgettable camping trip.

Located on its own island in the stunning Namakan Lake, N25 is consistently praised by those who have visited for its exceptional tranquility and beautiful shoreline. Customer reviews highlight the soft **sandy beach**, minimal boat traffic, and the spectacular views of both sunrise and sunset across the water. This site is far more than just a place to pitch a tent; it’s a complete immersion into the serene, unspoiled ecosystem of Minnesota’s border lakes region. As a National Park Service frontcountry site, it delivers the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay while preserving the wild feeling of island camping.

Its designation as a 'Small Campsite' means it is perfectly sized for intimate trips, accommodating a maximum of nine people. This controlled capacity is a major factor in maintaining the peaceful, isolated atmosphere that makes N25 feel, as one camper noted, "like you have the bay all to yourself." For Minnesotans seeking to disconnect and truly 'adventure a little bit' on their own private island, My Island West N25 stands out as a premier choice within Voyageurs National Park.

My Island West N25 Campsite is strategically located on one of the numerous islands scattered across **Namakan Lake**, one of the four interconnected major lakes of Voyageurs National Park. Namakan Lake sits along the international boundary with Canada, offering a truly remote North American wilderness experience.

The site’s official gateway address is:

Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA

Access to My Island West N25 is strictly **Boat-In**. Visitors must bring their own watercraft—be it a motorboat, pontoon, kayak, or canoe—or hire a water taxi service from one of the nearby park gateway communities. The most common access point for this area of Namakan Lake is the Crane Lake Public Boat Launch. The campsite is located approximately **14.4 miles by water** from the Crane Lake boat launch. The remote nature of the park requires all visitors to be self-sufficient and prepared for travel on large, unpredictable bodies of water. Navigation charts or GPS are highly recommended for safe travel to the site.

As a designated frontcountry 'Small Campsite' within Voyageurs National Park, My Island West N25 provides essential amenities to facilitate responsible, low-impact camping while maximizing visitor comfort. The site is designed to be fully self-contained, requiring campers to bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water.

• **Maximum Occupancy:** Designed for small parties, the campsite accommodates a maximum of **9 people** for overnight stays.
• **Tent Pads:** The site features **two official tent pads**, providing level, cleared areas—typically around 14' x 14' or similar dimensions—for secure tent placement.
• **Boat Access:** The campsite is a **sand access** site, meaning watercraft are landed directly onto the shoreline, a highly sought-after feature for easy loading and unloading, and for families who enjoy beach access. There is no permanent dock.
• **Picnic Area:** Includes **one sturdy metal picnic table** for dining and food preparation.
• **Fire Management:** Equipped with **one metal fire ring with a cooking grate** for safe, controlled campfires, adhering to park regulations that limit fires to designated rings only.
• **Food Storage:** Provides **two bear-proof food lockers**, which are mandatory for storing all food, beverages, garbage, and scented items to protect both campers and wildlife.
• **Sanitation:** Features **one outdoor vault privy** (toilet) for sanitary waste disposal.

My Island West N25 is renowned for features that elevate the traditional Minnesota camping experience, making it one of the more desirable island sites on Namakan Lake.

• **Rare Sandy Beach Landing:** A standout feature, N25 boasts a soft sandy beach, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and easy landing of boats, kayaks, and canoes. This is a highly-valued amenity, often noted in customer reviews.
• **True Island Seclusion:** Located on its own small island, the site offers 360-degree lakefront views and the ability to explore the entire island, creating a powerful sense of having a completely private wilderness retreat.
• **Minimal Boat Traffic:** Situated in a quieter bay of Namakan Lake, the site is known for experiencing less motorized boat traffic than many other frontcountry sites, greatly enhancing the peace and quiet.
• **Spectacular Light Viewing:** Visitors consistently report "beautiful moonlighting" and "awesome sunrise and sunset" views due to the island's unobstructed position on the water. Voyageurs is also an International Dark Sky Park, offering amazing stargazing.
• **Easy Water Access:** The sand access is ideal for campers with smaller boats or canoes who prefer beach landings over dock mooring, or for children who want safe and gradual entry into the lake for swimming.
• **Excellent Adventure Base:** Its central location on Namakan Lake makes it an ideal launch point for fishing, day trips to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, or paddling into nearby, calmer bays.

All reservations and essential administrative information for My Island West N25 are handled through the National Park Service’s reservation system.

Site Location (Water Access Point):

My Island West N25 Campsite, Namakan Lake

Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA

Reservation and Park Information:

Campsite reservations and permits are mandatory for all overnight use.

Voyageurs National Park Permit Reservations: 1-877-444-6777 (via Recreation.gov)

Voyageurs National Park Headquarters: 218-283-6600

Official Reservation Website: Recreation.gov (Search for "Voyageurs National Park Camping Permits")

My Island West N25 Campsite is perfectly suited for Minnesota locals because it distills the very essence of a coveted "Up North" lake experience: **absolute solitude on an island, accessible by boat, with a perfect sandy beach**. The requirement for boat-in access is not a deterrent, but a filter, ensuring that the campers who arrive are dedicated water enthusiasts and wilderness seekers—a strong majority of Minnesotans.

For those who own a small boat, a fishing vessel, or simply relish paddling, N25 removes the noise and crowds of drive-up campgrounds. The verified features—the soft landing, the ability to explore the whole island, and the low boat traffic—address every desire for a tranquil, high-quality, authentic Northwoods vacation. It is a genuine island paradise that allows locals to leverage their boating skills and deep appreciation for water-based recreation to secure a truly unparalleled, private piece of Voyageurs National Park. Choosing My Island West N25 is choosing the premium, secluded side of Minnesota’s iconic lake country.

My Island West N25 Campsite

Crane Lake, MN 55725, USA