A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Echo Lake (Minn)

Forest Service campground in Superior National Forest, St. Louis County, Minnesota. 1,264 feet. 17.2 miles from Orr.

Managed by
Forest Service Superior National Forest
Elevation
1,264 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
22 21 standard non-electric, 1 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
45 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Echo Lake is located on the west end of the Echo Trail, a remote country road that traverses through the heart of the Western Superior National Forest. This quiet campground, where the sounds of birds and the wind are often heard, is a peaceful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the area's resort scene. A variety of campsites, activities and amenities offer a comfortable stay for RV, trailer and tent campers. 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.

Recreation

Echo Lake is a popular fishing spot for walleye, northern pike, panfish, black crappie, white sucker and yellow perch also living in the lake. The surrounding national forest offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking in secluded woodlands and canoeing in pristine lakes and rivers. View recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest.

Facilities

The campground provides 22 sites, with 13 reservable sites (1 group site and 12 standard sites) and 9 first come-first served. The sites are non- electric and amenities include vault toilets, solar powered water, tables, garbage service, campfire rings.

A group campsite is available for groups of up to 21 people. Three free First Come First Serve dispersed campsites that can be accessed only by boat are located around the lake as well.

Heavy vegetation may limit the lake view from some sites; however, there are numerous trails leading to the water. Young trees and lush ground plants provide privacy between sites.

A boat ramp and sandy beach are provided for access to water activities and swimming.

Natural Features

This campground is on the south shore of the 1,222-acre Echo Lake and is surrounded by a mix of aspen, balsam, spruce, maple and pine trees, which provide ample shade.

Nearby Attractions

Possible day trips from the campground include Voyageurs National Park, Crane Lake, Vermillion Falls, Echo Lake Trail (1.5 miles) and Echo Lake Hunters Walking Trail (10 miles).

Numerous outdoor recreation opportunities lie within Superior National Forest's 77 lake accesses, 13 fishing piers, 10 swimming beaches and 22 picnic areas. The forest is also home to three scenic byways and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Additional sites of interest

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • day use area
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site

The land around Echo Lake (Minn)

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated May 2, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.