Best camping near Ely
20 campgrounds · 20 ranked · updated 2026-07-13 · off-season
Explore the best camping near Ely, Minnesota — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.
Showing the top 15 of 20 campgrounds · best 15 shown on the map
F⛰
#1
Fall Lake Campground
Marginal
3.5 mi away
· Warm night · low 66°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Fall Lake Campground in Iowa offers established campsites only—no dispersed camping. Reservations are recommended (especially in peak season) and a modest nightly fee applies…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 41 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
F⛰
#2
Fall Lake
Marginal
3.6 mi away
· Warm night · low 66°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Fall Lake Campground in Minnesota offers established campsites (no dispersed camping) with reservations required via Recreation.gov; a permit is needed for BWCAW entry. Nightly…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 42 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
T⛰
#3
Tofte Lake
Marginal
4.2 mi away
· Warm night · low 68°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Tofte Lake camping area is a serene camping destination located in the state of Iowa. It offers a range of amenities to make your camping experience comfortable and enjoyable. The…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 26 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
G⛰
#4
Glacier Pond 2
Marginal
4.6 mi away
· Warm night · low 68°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Glacier Pond 2 in Iowa offers a quiet, rustic camping experience with both established campsites and dispersed camping options. No reservations or permits are required, and…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 26 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
O⛰
#5
Ojibway and Triangle Lakes
Marginal
4.7 mi away
· Warm night · low 68°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Ojibway and Triangle Lakes camping area, located in the state of Iowa, offers a range of amenities for campers to enjoy. The campground provides picnic tables, fire rings, and…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 25 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
S⛰
#6
South Kawishiwi River
Marginal
11.9 mi away
· Warm night · low 69°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
The South Kawishiwi River camping area, located in the state of Minnesota, offers a serene and picturesque camping experience. This campground provides a range of amenities to…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 43 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
S⛰
#7
South Kawishiwi River Campground
Marginal
11.9 mi away
· Warm night · low 69°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
South Kawishiwi River Campground, located in the state of Minnesota, offers a serene and picturesque camping experience. Nestled along the banks of the South Kawishiwi River, this…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 43 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
B⛰
#8
Bear Island Lake
Fair
19.4 mi away
· Warm night · low 66°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Heat advisory
Bear Island Lake camping area is located in the state of Minnesota and offers a range of amenities for campers. The campground provides well-maintained sites with picnic tables…
Why 80: live conditions (fair) · 50 things to do within 15 mi
80Elite
A⛰
#9
August Lake
Marginal
15.1 mi away
· Warm night · low 70°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
August Lake Camping Area is a picturesque campground located in the state of Iowa. Situated near the town of Mount Vernon, it offers a range of amenities for campers to enjoy. The…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 24 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
B⛰
#10
Birch Lake
Marginal
16.4 mi away
· Warm night · low 69°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Birch Lake camping area is a picturesque destination located in Minnesota. Situated in a serene natural setting, this campground offers a range of amenities for campers to enjoy…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 44 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
B⛰
#11
Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites
Marginal
16.5 mi away
· Warm night · low 69°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites is a picturesque camping area located in the state of Iowa. Nestled within the natural beauty of the state, this campground offers a…
Why 79: live conditions (marginal) · 44 things to do within 15 mi
79Top-rated
P⛰
#12
Picket Lake
Marginal
9.0 mi away
· Warm night · low 66°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Picket Lake camping area is a beautiful destination situated in Iowa, perfect for nature enthusiasts and campers. This campground offers a range of amenities to enhance visitors'…
Why 77: live conditions (marginal) · 35 things to do within 15 mi
77Top-rated
N⛰
#13
Nels Lake
Marginal
11.8 mi away
· Warm night · low 67°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Nels Lake camping area, located in the state of Iowa, offers a serene and picturesque camping experience. The campground provides several amenities to enhance visitors' stay…
Why 77: live conditions (marginal) · 37 things to do within 15 mi
77Top-rated
F⛰
#14
Fenske Lake
Marginal
12.0 mi away
· Warm night · low 67°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Fenske Lake Campground in northern Minnesota offers established campsites in a scenic, forested setting along the lake’s edge, within Superior National Forest. Reservations are…
Why 77: live conditions (marginal) · 42 things to do within 15 mi
77Top-rated
F⛰
#15
Fenske Lake Campground
Marginal
12.0 mi away
· Warm night · low 67°F· Red Flag Warning — fire restrictions likely· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk
Fenske Lake Campground, located in the Superior National Forest near Ely, Minnesota—not Iowa—offers 15 established campsites, some reservable via Recreation.gov. Sites include…
Why 77: live conditions (marginal) · 42 things to do within 15 mi
77Top-rated
Camping near Ely
The Ely area has 20 campgrounds on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.
How we rank the best camping near Ely
How are these campgrounds ranked?
Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.
How often does it update?
Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.
What do the numbers on the map mean?
Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.