Crab Lake

Boundary Waters & North Shore

Crab Lake

Boundary Waters & North Shore

At a glance

CampgroundBackcountry

About this campsite

Campground: Crab Lake.

What this place offers

Accommodation Types

Backcountry

Location

Crab Lake•MN

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Common questions about Crab Lake

Is Crab Lake free to camp at?

Yes. Crab Lake in MN is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. Facilities on site: backcountry. Free camps fill up fastest in school holidays, so have a fallback in mind.

What facilities does Crab Lake have?

Crab Lake has backcountry. Facilities at camps change, particularly after a wet season, so check the operator or the managing authority if one of them decides your trip. The list comes from the site record rather than a visit, so treat it as a guide.

Can you book Crab Lake online?

We hold no online booking link for Crab Lake, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is Crab Lake?

Crab Lake sits in MN. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Facilities at Crab Lake

Facilities recorded for Crab Lake
Facility	On site
Backcountry	Yes

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

2.1 km away

IRON LAKE

Overview Iron Lake Campground is located in a dense forest along the banks of Iron Lake in far northern Minnesota. The campground is unique due to its remoteness and small size. Fishing and canoeing are its biggest draws, as the lake provides access to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Ham Lake Fire passed through the campground in 2007. Visitors may be surprised at how the burned area has grown back up. Recreation Iron Lake provides many boating opportunities. The campground offers plenty of canoeing and fishing opportunities. Walleye and northern pike fishing are usually good. Canoes, kayaks and small boats must be carried down to access the lake. When portaging or paddling out of this lake and into another, visitors should find out if they will be entering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Entry requires a permit (self-issued for day use) and visitors must follow wilderness regulations including group size. **View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest. View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest. Facilities This campground is small and simple. Sites are organized into one loop near the water. There are no electric hookups. Campsite #1 is a first-come, first-served site. Effective January 24, 2025, Campsite #6 has been added to the list of reservable campsites. It is now currently available for reservation during the same reservation season as the other reservable sites. Vault toilets, drinking water, and a garbage canister are provided. Conveniences are available at area lodges and resorts. A campground host from the concessionaire visits here every other day, and the facility is routinely patrolled by the County Sheriff and the concessionaire. Natural Features Iron Lake is in a burn area, and visitors can see post-fire ecology including uncommon black-backed woodpeckers. Moose, bear, loons and other wildlife live in the area. Blueberries grow abundantly in the area and can be picked in mid to late summer. Nearby Attractions The BWCAW is by far the most popular nearby attraction. Over 1 million acres in size, the Boundary Waters extend nearly 150 miles along the United States-Canada border and 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 Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (218) 387-1750.

3.8 km away