Facilities

Sawbill Lake is comprised of two loops with a total of 51 campsites, 27 of which can be reserved (others are first-come, first-served). Campsites can easily accommodate large motorhomes and RVs. Some of the sites offer a partial lake view through the forest.

The campground is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills, as well as vault toilets, a dump station, drinking water and trash and recycling bins.

Natural Features

Sawbill Lake is nestled in a thick pine forest that gives campsites excellent privacy. Birds and wildlife are abundant, from moose and bear to bald eagles and loons. Wildflowers add bright colors to the landscape in warmer months.

The campground sits on a hill above Sawbill Lake. The 765-acre lake is within the Boundary Waters.

Recreation

This facility draws canoe enthusiasts who seek a quiet and convenient area from which to access the surrounding wilderness. Day and overnight use of the Boundary Waters requires a permit.

The campground concessionaire, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters, provides a one-stop shop for canoeists of all levels within walking distance of the campground. Canoe rentals, permits and guided canoe trips are available.

Campers who wish to spend time relaxing at the campground can fish for northern pike and bass; hike, bike, picnic and attend educational programs.

View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.

Activities

  • Other Recreation Concession Site
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hunting
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Interpretive Programs
  • Camping
  • Boating
  • Biking

Amenities

  • Bait Shop
  • Campfire Programs
  • Campfire Rings
  • Camping Supplies
  • Canoe Rentals
  • Clothes Dryer
  • Coin Showers
  • Concessions
  • Day Use Area
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Educational Programs
  • Firewood
  • Firewood Vender
  • Fishing Dock
  • Fishing Pier
  • General Store
  • Gift Shop
  • Grocery Store
  • Host
  • Ice
  • Lake Access
  • Laundry Facilities
  • Parking Area
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Tables
  • Pit Toilets
  • Recycling
  • Showers
  • Trash Collection
  • Vault Toilets

Nearby Attractions

Sawbill Canoe Outfitters maintains a store with showers, laundry, fishing licenses, bait and tackle, ice, grocery and convenience items, canoe and camping gear, rentals and a pay telephone.

Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Additional sites of interest

Getting Here

Latitude
47° 51' 47.0002" N
Longitude
90° 53' 7.0001" W
The campground is located north of Tofte, Minnesota. Travel to Tofte via Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore. In Tofte, turn north (away from Lake Superior) on Sawbill Trail (CCHS 2). Follow Sawbill Trail 24 miles until it ends at the entrance to 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)

  • Traveling within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness requires a permit; day use requires a self-issued permit; overnight use requires a permit from the quota system
  • 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
  • Superior National Forest website
  • 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.

    • Contact Information

    SAWBILL LAKE CAMPGROUND - SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST
    4620 SAWBILL TRAIL
    Tofte, MN 55615

    For campground inquiries, please call: 218-663-7150

    Additional Information