Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest campground
Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest
Reservations are not accepted at Mcfarland Lake campground, making it a first-come, first-served camping area. It is recommended to arrive early, especially during peak seasons, to secure a camping spot. The best time to visit Mcfarland Lake is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities and the lake is ideal for swimming and fishing.
Campers can enjoy various recreational activities at Mcfarland Lake, including hiking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. The campground is also a gateway to the renowned Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. However, it is important to be cautious of black bears in the area and to properly store food to avoid attracting them. Overall, Mcfarland Lake campground offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of nature, providing an unforgettable camping experience for visitors.
What's on-site at Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Fowl Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| South Fowl Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Pine Woods Camp Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Devilfish Lake - Grand Portage State Forest | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Portage Camp Site | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pigeon River At Middle Falls Nr Grand Portage Mn | 2,040 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Hovland 6.5 Wsw | 0.0 in | 4.8 in | → |
| Grand Marais 3.8 Nne | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Grand Marias Water Treatment Plant | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Grand Marais 4.4 W | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Grand Marais 4.4 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Grand Marais 30.5 Nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Judge C. R. Magney State Park
- Grand Portage State Forest
- Grand Portage National Monument
- Kadunce River State Park
- Devils Track Falls State Wayside
- Grand Portage State Park
Boat launches
- Elbow Lake Landing Road Cook County
- Trestle Pine Road Cook County
- Ball Club Road Cook County
- Devil Track Road Cook County
- Little Pigeon Bay Road Neebing
Points of interest
Paddle runs
- South Fowl Lake In T64n, R3e To Lake Superior In T64n, R7e
- Bwcaw Boundary To Forest Boundary In T62n, R2e
- Western Boundary Of Grand Portage National Monument To Eastern Boundary Of Grand Portage National Monument
- Forest Boundary To Lake Superior In T62n, R3e
- Horshoe Lake In T64n, R1w To Bwcaw Boundary
- North Temperance Lake In T63n, R4w To Bwcaw Boundary In T62n, R4w
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest
Can I make reservations at Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Mcfarland Lake - Grand Portage State Forest.