Crescent Lake (MN)
Superior National Forest
Crescent Lake is an undeveloped lake surrounded entirely by the remote Superior National Forest. This quiet campground has waterfront campsites with easy access to fishing, exploring the nearby wilderness and simply enjoying the beauty of the natural area.
Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of 3 million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the United States-Canada border.
Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The campground has 32 sites situated on a peninsula that juts out into the lake, providing many sites with nice views of the water and some sites with access to the water.
A few sites are first-come, first-served, including one primitive backcountry camping site that campers can boat into; access is a boat ramp on the northwest side of the lake.
Picnic tables, campfire grates, water pumps and vault toilets are provided. A fishing pier is located within the campground.
Need to Know
Limit of two vehicles per campsite, not including trailers; $10 fee for second vehicle. Extra vehicle can be paid online in advance or in person onsite. If paid onsite, you won't be charged the $2 add-on fee; free public parking lot is also available onsite near the campground
Check-in / Check-out time is 12:00pm (noon)
- Dogs are allowed but must be leashed
- Fires in campfire pits only and must be completely extinguished; cutting of live vegetation is not allowed
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside a hard-sided vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- Click here for more information on Superior National Forest
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Natural Features
Superior National Forest is known for its boreal forest ecosystem, numerous clean lakes and diversity of plants and animals. The entire campground is heavily wooded with white pines, red pines, spruce, balsam, birch and aspen. Birds and wildlife are abundant, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons.
Nearby Attractions
The concessionaire Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, fishing bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear rental and a pay telephone. It is 13 miles from the campground.
Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest, including the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Over one million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extend nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and contain over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.
Additional sites of interest.
Recreation
The fishing is good for walleye, northern pike and muskie. Crescent Lake allows motorized boat use without limit on horsepower, but is most appropriate for small fishing or similar type boats.
The surrounding national forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking in secluded woodlands and canoeing in pristine lakes and rivers.
View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.
Contact Information
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CRESCENT LAKE 3236 THE GRADE (FOREST ROAD 170) Tofte MN 55615
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 218-663-7150
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Travel Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore to Tofte, Minnesota. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow the Sawbill Trail for 16 miles to The Grade (Forest Road 170). Turn right onto the The Grade and proceed east for 7 miles. The campground is on your right and is marked by a large sign.
Available Campsites
- Site 009, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop CRESCENT LAKE (MN), Type Group Standard Nonelectric
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