Hogback Lake Rustic Campground
Closed for the season. Opens May 10 and operates through October 1. No reservations or fees required; first-come, first-served.
Flood Warning issued May 1 at 7:52PM CDT until May 6 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Minnesota... South Kawishiwi River near Ely affecting northwestern Lake County. .High water continues on the Kawishiwi River due to the effects of recent heavy rains and the last of ongoing snowmelt. Expect high, fast moving water through the Kawishiwi River, Isabella River, and Basswood River. Lake levels across the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area will be high. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and remains forecast. * WHERE...South Kawishiwi River near Ely. * WHEN...Until early Wednesday afternoon. * IMPACTS...At 7.0 feet, Several BWCA camp sites may be submerged. Portages may have flowing water difficult to identify. Areas with swift currents may be hazardous to recreationalists. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 7:30 PM CDT Friday the stage was 6.9 feet. - Bankfull stage is 5.5 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 7:30 PM CDT Friday was 6.9 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 7.0 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then fall below flood stage Wednesday morning. - Flood stage is 6.5 feet. - Flood History...This crest is higher than the crest of 6.9 feet on 05/17/2022. - Flood safety information can be found at www.weather.gov/safety/flood.
Flood Advisory issued May 1 at 9:54AM CDT until May 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
High water continues across portions of the far eastern Rainy River watershed due to the effects of runoff from heavy rains and snowmelt from earlier this week. Expect high, fast moving water on area rivers and elevated lake levels. Water levels are near or just surpassed those seen during flood events in Spring 2022 and June 2024. Further water level increases are possible through this weekend after which slow declines should begin. * WHAT...Flooding caused by runoff from rain and snowmelt continues. * WHERE...In Minnesota, Cook and Lake Counties. * WHEN...Until 700 PM CDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Some low-water crossings may become impassable. River or stream flows are elevated. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 948 AM CDT Friday, automated river gages and the public reported flooding in the advisory area. Minor flooding is occurring. - Expect high, fast moving water on area rivers and elevated lake levels. Water levels are near or just surpassed those seen during flood events in Spring 2022 and June 2024. Further water level increases are possible through this weekend after which slow declines should begin. - Some locations that will experience flooding include... Gunflint Lake, Forest Center, Little Saganaga Lake, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Snowbank Lake, Alpine Lake, Sea Gull Lake, Isabella, Saganaga Lake, Basswood Lake, Fall Lake, White Iron Lake, Birch Lake, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness North of the Gunflint Trail, Pine Lake, Alice Lake, Malberg Lake, Lake Polly and Thomas Lake. - Flood safety information can be found at www.weather.gov/safety/flood.
About
Hogback Lake Rustic Campground is a small, primitive campground located in the Superior National Forest near Isabella, Minnesota. The campground features 3 pull-in campsites on the shore of 40-acre Hogback Lake, which reaches depths of 43 feet. All sites are free and available on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required. The Hogback Lake Area offers diverse recreation opportunities including a 6-mile trail system that meanders through scenic hogback ridges connecting Hogback, Canal, Lupus, Scarp, Mound, and Steer Lakes. Five backcountry campsites are accessible via the trail system or by boat and portage. The area includes a boat launch for motorized boats, and an accessible fishing pier. Three of the lakes are designated trout waters stocked with rainbow trout. This rustic campground has vault toilets but no potable water, trash service, or electric hookups. Campers must pack out all garbage including fish remains. Maximum occupancy is 9 people per site with space for one vehicle and one towed vehicle per site. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Directions
From Tofte on MN 61: At Temperance River State Park, just south of the river, take FR 343 (Temperance River Rd) inland. Drive 4.5 miles to a T intersection with FR 166 (The '600' Road). Turn left on FR 166 and drive 5 miles to County 7. Turn right on County 7. Drive approximately 5 miles to FR 172 (Wanless Rd). Turn left. Hogback Lake is a very short distance from County 7 on FR 172 on the left. Alternatively, access County 7 from MN 1 in Finland.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | No |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| 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 | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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