Fenske Lake Campground
Superior National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: ELY, MN, MN
Price: From $22 per night
Price range: $22–$65 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (70 reviews)
Season: May through October
Fenske Lake Campground offers visitors an escape to a small, remote campground with large, majestic pine trees and easy access to water. It is a popular base camp for exploring, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and backcountry canoeing in Superior National Forest and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The campground lies approximately 10 miles outside of Ely, Minnesota.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/fenske-lake-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Fenske Lake Campground is a small, remote campground with large pine trees and easy access to water, serving as a popular base camp for exploring Superior National Forest and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Google reviews consistently rate it 4.8/5 stars, with campers praising its quiet atmosphere, clean bathrooms, and beautiful lake views.
Wildlife alert: Gray Wolf, Moose, North American Porcupine, White-tailed Deer, Eastern Fox Squirrel, Ruffed Grouse, Merlin, Common Garter Snake, and Painted Turtle have been documented within 8km.
Insider tips for Fenske Lake Campground: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 16 sites and high demand Site 7 offers views but requires a significant hike to access Wear pants on trails to protect against overgrown vegetation
Skip Fenske Lake Campground if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites; only suitable for self-contained RVs. You require year-round camping — seasonal operations May through October only. You are sensitive to noise — Saturday nights can carry sound from nearby venues.
Best time to visit Fenske Lake Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October. Before September — Trails become overgrown by September according to camper reports.
Nearby campgrounds: Fall Lake (ELY, MN), South Kawishiwi River (ELY, MN), Birch Lake Campground (ELY, MN), Jeanette Lake (COOK,, MN).
Cell Phone Coverage at Fenske Lake Campground
Cell signal at Fenske Lake Campground (ELY, MN): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage · AT&T 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Fenske Lake Campground offers visitors an escape to a small, remote campground with large, majestic pine trees and easy access to water. It is a popular base camp for exploring, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and backcountry canoeing in Superior National Forest and the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The campground lies approximately 10 miles outside of Ely, Minnesota.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 16 sites and high demand
Site 7 offers views but requires a significant hike to access
Wear pants on trails to protect against overgrown vegetation
Campground operates seasonally May through October
Trails become overgrown by September according to camper reports
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Ely, Minnesota, travel east on State Highway 169 North (toward Winton) for about 1 mile. Turn left onto County Road 88 and travel about 2 miles. Turn right onto Echo Trail and continue about 7 miles to the campground entrance on the right.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Superior National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Superior National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Fenske Lake Campground cost per night?+
What season is Fenske Lake Campground open?+
Does Fenske Lake Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Fenske Lake Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Fenske Lake Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Fenske Lake Campground?+
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Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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