Bear Island Lake campground
Bear Island Lake
Reservations are accepted for the Bear Island Lake camping area, allowing campers to secure their spot ahead of time. This is especially beneficial during peak seasons when the campground can get crowded. It is recommended to make reservations in advance to ensure availability.
The best time to visit Bear Island Lake camping area is during the summer months, from June to August when the weather is warm and ideal for outdoor activities. However, it is worth noting that the area can get busy during this time, so planning ahead is advised.
When camping at Bear Island Lake, it is important to be cautious of wildlife in the area, particularly bears. Visitors should properly store their food and dispose of trash to avoid attracting them. Following proper bear safety guidelines, such as using bear-resistant containers, can help ensure a safe and enjoyable camping experience.
What's on-site at Bear Island Lake
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 Bear Island Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Head Lake State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Birch Lake | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| South Kawishiwi River | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Bear Island Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Kawishiwi R Abv White Iron Lake Nr Ely | 2,260 cfs | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,580 cfs | → |
| Kawishiwi River Near Ely | 1,090 cfs | → |
| Basswood River Near Winton | 7,020 cfs | → |
| Vermilion River Nr Crane Lake | 1,150 cfs | → |
| Knife River Near Two Harbors | 51 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Bear Island Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ely 6.4 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Babbitt | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely 5.2 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Ely 1.8 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely 0.9 Wnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely | 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
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- Veterans Memorial Field
- Bear Island State Forest
- Burntside State Forest
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
- Kabetogama State Forest
Boat launches
- Country Club Road 8699, Saint Louis County
- Bear Head Lake State Park Saint Louis County
- Shagawa Road West Ely
- Fr 183 Lake County
- Saint Louis County
- Vermillion Ridge Road Saint Louis County
Fishing spots
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 Bear Island Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Bear Island Lake
Can I make reservations at Bear Island Lake?
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 Bear Island Lake?
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 Bear Island Lake.