Clara Lake Rustic Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 10, 2026. No reservations, first-come, first-served only.
Cold Weather Advisory issued January 19 at 1:11AM CST until January 20 at 12:00PM CST by NWS Duluth MN
* WHAT...For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero. For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Cook and Southern Lake Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation. * WHEN...For the Cold Weather Advisory, until noon CST Tuesday. For the Wind Advisory, until 6 AM CST early this morning. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
Wind Advisory issued January 19 at 1:11AM CST until January 19 at 6:00AM CST by NWS Duluth MN
* WHAT...For the Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero. For the Wind Advisory, northwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph expected. * WHERE...Southern Cook and Southern Lake Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation. * WHEN...For the Cold Weather Advisory, until noon CST Tuesday. For the Wind Advisory, until 6 AM CST early this morning. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 40 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
About
Clara Lake Rustic Campground is located on the shore of Clara Lake in Superior National Forest's Tofte Ranger District. Nestled in a stand of pines, this small campground offers three first-come, first-served sites that provide a peaceful setting for fishing, boating, and lakeside relaxation. The campground is close to other lakes in the area, making it an excellent base camp for exploring the region's water resources. As a rustic campground, Clara Lake has basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. There is no drinking water available, so campers must bring their own or treat lake water before consumption. There is no garbage pickup, and campers are required to pack out all trash, including fish remains. A boat launch provides access to Clara Lake for fishing and non-motorized boating opportunities. The campground operates seasonally from May 10 through October 1, and there is no fee for camping. Sites are pull-in style, and while not specifically designed for RVs, one of the three sites can accommodate vehicles up to 21 feet. The campground enforces quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and sites are limited to nine people maximum. Pets are allowed but must be kept on a six-foot leash. The campground is accessed via County Road 4 (Caribou Trail) and Forest Road 340, with a three-quarter mile entrance road leading to the sites.
Directions
From MN 61 just north of Lutsen, turn north on County Road 4 (Caribou Trail) and drive about 8 miles to Forest Road 340. Turn left on FR 340 and drive 3.5 miles. Clara Lake Campground is on the right down a 3/4 mile entrance road.
Nearby Campgrounds
- White Pine Lake Rustic Campground 2.2mi
- Poplar River Rustic Campground 2.6mi
- Crescent Lake 4.6mi
- Baker Lake Rustic Campground 5.9mi
- Temperance River Campground 6.9mi
- Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest 8.8mi
- OXBOW RUSTIC CAMPGROUND 11mi
- Toohey Lake Rustic Campground 10mi
- Fourmile Rustic Campground 11mi
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 21ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (218) 663-0012 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!