Minnesota / Cook County

Iron Lake

Closed — Closed for the season. Operates May 6 through October 21. The campground road is not plowed during winter. Five sites are reservable via Recreation.gov and two sites are first-come, first-served.

About

Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size, featuring just 7 sites organized in one loop near the water. Fishing and canoeing are the biggest draws, with the lake offering excellent walleye and northern pike fishing opportunities. Canoes, kayaks, and small boats must be carried down to access the lake. The campground provides access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness through portages from Iron Lake. Visitors entering the wilderness must obtain either a self-issued day use permit available at the campground or an overnight permit, and follow wilderness regulations including group size limits. The area was burned over in the 2007 Ham Lake fire, and visitors can observe post-fire ecology including uncommon black-backed woodpeckers, moose, bear, and loons. Blueberries grow abundantly and can be picked in mid to late summer. Soils and seedling trees remain delicate, and some dead trees left standing for habitat may be hazardous. The campground offers basic amenities including vault toilets, solar-powered drinking water faucets, fire rings, tent pads, and picnic tables. There are no electric hookups. Sites are pull-in and designed for moderately sized vehicles, though some may not be suitable for RVs. The campground road is not plowed during winter months.

Directions

From Grand Marais, take Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) north for 36 miles to the western end of County Road 92 (Old Gunflint Trail). Turn left and travel east on CR 92 for 2 miles to the campground entrance on the right. Note: signs may be confusing at the CR 12/CR 92 intersection.

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