Poplar River Rustic Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. The campground operates from May 10 through October 1. The road is not plowed during winter. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and maximum occupancy is nine people per site.

About

Poplar River Rustic Campground is a small 4-site campground in the Superior National Forest, unusual in that it sits on the edge of a river rather than a lake. Several sites have direct access to the Poplar River, allowing for stream fishing for trout right from your campsite. The river is named after either the quaking aspen tree, locally called popple or poplar, or the balsam poplar, which has a distinctive fragrance most noticeable during spring leaf-out. This no-fee campground is located along the Honeymoon Trail and is included in the Sawtooth Mountains Fall Color Tour, making it an excellent spot during autumn color season. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Visitors must pack out all garbage, including fish remains, as no trash service is provided. Trout and salmon fishing requires a trout/salmon stamp in addition to a valid Minnesota fishing license. Maximum occupancy is nine people per site, with space for one vehicle and one towed vehicle per site. The road is not plowed during winter months.

Directions

Located on the Honeymoon Trail (FR 164), midway between County Road 2 (Sawbill Trail) and County Road 4 (Caribou Trail). From MN 61 in Tofte: Turn north on County Road 2, drive approximately 11 miles to FR 164. Turn right and drive 5.5 miles. Campground is on the left, just past the bridge over the Poplar River. From MN 61 in Lutsen: Turn north on County Road 4, drive approximately 6 miles to FR 164. Turn left and drive approximately 4 miles. Campground is on the right, just before the bridge over the Poplar River.

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