Birch Lake campground
Birch Lake
Reservations are accepted at Birch Lake camping area, allowing campers to secure their desired spot in advance. This ensures a stress-free experience and guarantees a place to stay, especially during peak season. Speaking of which, the best time to visit Birch Lake is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant, and outdoor activities are in full swing. However, it is recommended to check weather forecasts and plan accordingly as Minnesota's weather can be unpredictable.
While enjoying the campsite, campers should be cautious of wildlife encounters, particularly with bears. It is advisable to properly store food and follow all safety guidelines to minimize any potential risks. Additionally, being aware of the campground's quiet hours and respecting fellow campers is essential for a pleasant experience. Overall, Birch Lake camping area offers a wonderful getaway for nature lovers, combining beautiful surroundings, convenient amenities, and the chance to explore the wilderness of Minnesota.
What's on-site at Birch 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 Birch Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birch Lake Campground & Backcountry Sites | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| South Kawishiwi River Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| South Kawishiwi River | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Bear Island Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| August Lake | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Birch 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 Birch 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 | → |
| Nohrsc Ely 1.8 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely 0.9 Wnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ely 5.2 Wsw | 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
- Veterans Memorial Field
- Bear Head Lake State Park
- Bear Island State Forest
- Burntside State Forest
- Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park
- Lake Isabella State Forest
Boat launches
- Fr 183 Lake County
- Country Club Road 8699, Saint Louis County
- Lake County
- Shagawa Road West Ely
- Fernberg Road Lake County
- Forest Rt 106 Lake 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 Birch Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Birch Lake
Can I make reservations at Birch Lake?
Yes -- this campground accepts reservations. Snoflo recommends booking early for peak season; check the operator (Recreation.gov / state park system / private operator) for the booking window and cancellation policy.
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 Birch 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 Birch Lake.