Ely area campground/ pop up and a small boat

[go4carl]

would like to take a long weekend to the ely area with a buddy. We got the wives permission for fishing weekend birthday trip. never been to this area but would like to check it out. He has a pop up and I have a small 14' boat with a 18 hp motor. I'm looking for suggestions for a good spot where we can stay and fish. I would take suggestions for lodges to and just leave the pop up at home, especially if it is a spot we can leave the boat in the water. any suggestions.

[Crusty old Swede]

Bearhead Lake state park has some campsites right on the water.

[Finns]

Ely's HSOforum has good info.

[go4carl]

Bearhead looks nice thanks.

[Powerstroke]

Also check out the Fall Lake campground. Its run by the feds. Huge campground and very good for fishing.

[go4carl]

I like the looks of the lake thanks.

[deadeye]

1+ Fall lake.

They just did a bunch of work to it and the fishing is honestly tough to beat. There is always something to catch and its a beautiful area.

[Tator2k]

We're stayed at Silver Rapids Lodge last year. Looks like a good facility for RVs and Campers.

We packed a tent and got shoved in the back 40. We wanted a spot on the water, and that's what we got... A spot staked out on their private gravel driveway running adjacent to the lake.

[FISHINGFARMER]

Try the Lodge of Whispering Pines on Big Lake up the Echo Trail. Camping spots right on the waters edge and secluded from the cabins. Only 5 spots so check before you head up.

Just got back from there, the fishing was good as always.

Farmer

[Sifty]

You can also check here

http://hotspotoutdoors.com/elyreso.html

Sifty

[go4carl]

The lodge of Whispering Pines it is. Thanks everyone for your input...

[USDA3]

Powerstroke, Sounds and looks good on paper, What do you think of the campsites at fall lake? How are the showers/facilities? Has a boat launch? how about pulling a boat up next to some of the sites on the water?

We might be looking for a new place for a huge family vacation. This yar we had 53 family members go on the trip and have had upwards of 80 in the past. looks like they have some reservable campsites as well?

Does the whole lake have a motor restriction or just the portion in the BWCAW?

Thanks for the info.

[reinhard1]

just a suggestion. when it comes to the ely area and you want all of what you ask above it bear head state park campground. the have a sepperate group campground just for occations like yours once its reserved your group is all that will be there. they have bathrooms there but you would have to go to the campgrounds to enjoy the wonderfull showers there. not only will your group have privacy but can get into great fishing as well. i go there every year. they have a excelent boat launch. you can rent boats and canoes as well. great beach. check it out on line. have a great time.

[USDA3]

The place we go into Ontario right now has a group site but we don't use it. Although we have a lot of people its all families so its nice to get away from the loud uncle or whatever. The big thing is the amount of sites available and the ability to reserve at least some of them. A few of the families share some equipment so its nice to be in campsites next to each other. Some families will have a couple tents, but we don't all need/want to be within a rocks throw of each other. Thanks for the tip tho, we'll check it out, maybe it would work.

We've had issues with things "walking-off" from our boats while tied to docks that were not near our campsites, so its nice to be able to pull up right in front of the site. Are there campsites on the water at Bearhead?

Thanks

[reinhard1]

there are sites near the lake. but none so you can see them from your tent. we have had no issues in 15 years camping there with things taken from our boats. i leave my rods and tackle box in the boat but i do take my lawrence electronics up to the site. the people there are family oriented. the ranger says people come there more to relax,bird watch, trail hiking than fish. i find that true because even on weekends there are not that many people fishing like you would find on other lakes. but the fishing is great. if we wanted we could our limits every day, but we only keep some for a fish fry now and then[walleys]. there and largmouth bass, northerns, walley, crappie, and blugills there. they have little docks there to park your boats. real handy. from experience we have our favorite sites. to plan a trip there, you can get a map of the sites from the state parks on line. we pland by jan. and reserve our sites. next year we are reserving the guest house. split 3 ways its a real deal. check that out too they have pictures inside and out. plus camper cabins. they are next to each other. we have our family getogether every year there. there are two trout lakes within the park. one right behind the ranger station and one two miles down the road. both have brook trout in them and can be fished from shore. i havent been to the fall lake campground for a while but it was nice then. as far as i know they dont have showers. and like most campgrounds the sites by the lake are the first to be taken. so if you had any other questions let me know. good luck.

[USDA3]

Thanks for all the info Reinhard.

The problem with having so many people is its hard to keep them all happy with what they want out of the annual camp trip. Some need electricity for a camper, many need showers, lots of kids so a beach and play area are a must. But fishing for many of us is a huge deal as well. Thanks for all the info and I make sure to check it out sometime!

al

[USDA3]

Also, Sorry to jack your post Go4carl, but we're looking for some of the same things you are in a campground....

[bucketmouth64]

We're stayed at Silver Rapids Lodge last year. Looks like a good facility for RVs and Campers.

We packed a tent and got shoved in the back 40. We wanted a spot on the water, and that's what we got... A spot staked out on their private gravel driveway running adjacent to the lake.

+1

nice place for campers and cabin stays.