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McDougal Lake Campground provides easy access to a wide variety of recreational activities including hiking, boating, fishing, picnicking and swimming within the central part of Superior National Forest.
Superior National Forest, located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region, is comprised of three 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 offers a one-mile trail that loops along the shore and through the forest, providing a great pastime for families. Kids will also love the sandy swimming beach within the facility. A boat ramp and shoreline access provide anglers the opportunity for a leisurely afternoon of fishing for walleye and northern pike.
This comfortable facility provides 13 first come, first served and 8 reservable campsites that are either drive-in sites suitable for RVs and trailers or hike-in sites for tent campers. Campsites are private and separated by woods. The facilities include water from a solar powered pump station and vault toilets. Five of the first come, first served sites are available for long term rental by contacting the Tofte Ranger District Office at 218-663-8060.
The 323-acre McDougal Lake is surrounded by a thick forest of birch, maple and pine and sits at an elevation of 1,800 ft. The area is peaceful, rustic and begs for relaxation. One unique feature of the lake is the wild rice growing within it. Birds and wildlife frequent its shores.
Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake access areas, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways.
For facility specific information, please call (218) 663-8060.
McDougal Lake Campground is located on Forest Road 106, 10 miles west of Isabella, Minnesota. From MN-61, turn onto MN-1 at Illgen City and follow to Isabella. Proceed 10 miles west of Isabella to Forest Road 106. Turn left and continue a half-mile to the campground entrance.
$15 per night for one vehicle and one towed vehicle. Additional charge of $7.50 for extra vehicle or extra trailer must be paid at fee tube at campground.
Nice place but looks post apocalyptic rite now after the fires
went thru.
Nice big sites. Plenty of room for tents or a midsized trailer/rv. Nice overlooks of Lake McDougal. Bathrooms (pit toilets) are clean. Well water has a solar pump, and tastes very clear. Access road in and out of campground is will maintained. Quiet and peaceful.
Decent size sites. Saw some otters a beaver and lots of turtles. Caught a few massive sunnies.
Sites 7-16 blocked for the season. Sites are fairly private. Will go again
The campground has nice fresh-tasting water & clean facilities. Well-spaced sites, many with lake views. Certainly some places still look scarred from the fire, but much of it also still looks beautiful and resilient. We enjoy walking the loops & paths, enjoying the quiet & the wildlife. There are also many other nearby lakes/hikes to explore in the Superior National Forest. It’s kind of a hidden gem.
