Birch Lake Campground - Ely, MN
Birch Lake Campground: A Secluded Escape for Nature Lovers and Their Pets in Ely, Minnesota
If you’re searching for a peaceful dog park in Ely, Minnesota, Birch Lake Campground is a hidden gem nestled along Little Lake Road. Renowned for its rustic, primitive charm, this pet-friendly destination offers spacious sites, plenty of privacy, and easy access to beautiful Birch Lake. While not a dedicated fenced dog park, the campground is a fantastic spot for dog-friendly hiking, lakeside strolls, and relaxing in nature with your furry friend.
Enjoy clean facilities, helpful hosts, and the serenity of the north woods just a short drive down a quiet gravel road. Many sites offer direct trails to the lake, perfect for paddle boarding and taking in beautiful sunsets with your pup. Whether you’re camping in a motorhome or a tent, Birch Lake Campground provides a true Minnesota outdoor experience for adventurers and their dogs looking to unplug and explore the scenic surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, many campsites have private trails leading directly to the lake, ideal for dog-friendly walks.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, the sites are wooded and provide natural shade, and visitors often set up tarps as rain shelters.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, clean restroom facilities are provided and maintained by the campground hosts.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviews highlight very clean sites and well-kept facilities with attentive hosts.
- Where is the best place to park? Parking is available at each campsite for visitors.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, friendly hosts are present and available to assist guests.
Reviews
August, 2023: We stayed for a few days at Kawishiwi River Campground, yet we were still looking for a nice campsite for the upcoming week, including the Labour Day long weekend. We were told to drive to the Birch Lake Campground and check out the 3 existing first-come-first-serve campsite. We did and took a quick peek at all 3 available campsites and unanimously decided to grab a site. After registering and talking to Tony, the excellent host, we headed back to start packing.
The campsite was one of the better sites we had stayed on. It was very spacious, private and meters from Birch Lake, on which shores we often sat, enjoying the relaxing view and sunsets. Because the campsite was very large and had two picnic tables, we set up a big tarp over one of them as a rain shelter. Our tent was located over 10 meters from the center of the campsite, close to the lake. Several times we spoke to the campground host, Tony, who used to serve in the US Army and who was also very helpful in us getting the campsite.
While we did not see any bigger animals (black bears or raccoons), there were plenty of Blue Jays, chipmunks, squirrels and a resident garter snake. Amazingly, mosquitoes hardly bothered us—I never used mosquito spray! We had one rainy and cloudy day, as well as a quick storm rolled over the area once, yet it was hot and humid. There were some edible mushrooms (Chanterelle), which I picked, dried and either ate raw or added to soups—the latter was not a good idea, however.
Although we did not see any bears—even though there were warnings posted about bear sightings not long before our arrival—on several occasions we spotted a big garter snake on our campsite—of course, my friend did not appreciate its company too much. Once she saw it on the path leading to our tent—amazingly, it just started to consume a frog—which it let go of once she interrupted his eating ritual! Another time we observed the snake on our campsite—and there was a smallish bird almost following it! The bird was certainly too small to hunt & eat the snake (if anything, it could be vice-versa) and I wonder if anyone can provide more info on this phenomenon.
Very clean campground and the hosts are very nice! Sites are spaced out so you’re not right next to your neighborhood which we appreciated. Most sites also have a personal trail to the lake. They also have a boat dock to the beautiful lake, we went paddle boarding there and had a great time. The campground itself was a bit out of the way down a gravel road which was a nice getaway from busy life. Definitely would visit again.
Far off of the pavement, a wonderful secluded little camp area. No power or running water but there is a well with a hand pump and the water from it was good. Really recharged my inner self while here. Worth the 12 hour drive to get here. Fishing wasnt good but met a guy who pulled a 3 1/2 lb pike. Nights are super quiet. Facilities are kept clean and neat.
They have a few cabins, but we haven’t used them. We use our motorhome. Very secluded and primitive. Great!
Excellent campground that is well kept. Sites were clean, bathrooms were cleaned, stocked and even lit at night view small solar motion lights! Of particular note, the bugs were much lighter than expected, definitely less mosquitos than we were figuring would be there during the wet year we’ve had! 😊