Isabella River Campsite - Powwow Trail

Your First Stop in the Wilderness: Isabella River Campsite on the Powwow Trail

For Minnesotans planning an ambitious backpacking trip along the rugged Powwow Trail (BWCA Entry Point 86), or for canoeists navigating the Isabella River system, the Isabella River Campsite offers a crucial and incredibly convenient stop. Deep within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), this site holds a unique status: it is a designated, maintained campsite that is accessible to both paddlers and hikers, making it a true gateway to the Northwoods experience. It is particularly valued by local adventurers who need a reliable, well-equipped place to set up camp immediately after a long drive to the trailhead.

The Powwow Trail, famed for its challenging terrain and stunning recovery from the 2011 Pagami Creek Fire, demands a prepared and focused start. This campsite provides that ideal transition point—close enough to the trailhead for convenience, yet definitively within the wilderness boundary, immediately immersing visitors in the boreal forest environment of the Superior National Forest. Its large size and reliable features make it a dependable first night’s stop before tackling the 28+ mile loop.

Location and Accessibility

The Isabella River Campsite is located at the start of the "stick" section of the Powwow Trail, a strategic and highly accessible location that contributes significantly to its popularity.

• Official Address (Nearest Designation): Unnamed Road, Ely, MN 55731, USA. Note that this is a wilderness location. All access is via a trail.
• Proximity to Trailhead: The campsite is remarkably close to the BWCA Entry Point 86 (Powwow Trailhead). As noted by a customer, it is a convenient "1 mile hike in from the trailhead." This short distance makes it ideal for late-night arrivals or groups who prefer a low-mileage start to their adventure.
• Access Route: The trail begins at the shared parking lot for Entry Point 86 and the Isabella Lake Canoe Entry Point (EP 35). The first mile is a relatively easy walk along the trail corridor.
• Dual Access: This campsite is unique as it is one of the few on the Powwow Trail that is also accessible by water, being situated near the Isabella River crossing. It can be reached by canoeists traveling through the river system, making it a hub for both backpacking and paddling expeditions. The site is located just south of the wooden bridge that crosses the main channel of the Isabella River.
• Permit Required: As a designated site within the BWCAW, an Overnight Hiking Permit (Entry Point 86) or an Overnight Paddling Permit (Entry Point 35 or others) is required and must be reserved in advance through the U.S. Forest Service.

Services Offered

As a designated BWCA Wilderness campsite, the Isabella River Campsite offers fundamental amenities designed for low-impact camping while maintaining the true character of the Minnesota wilderness.

• Campsite Capacity: Public data indicates it is a "Very large site," with space for "6+ tents," making it excellent for larger groups or families starting a trip together.
• Fire Grate: A metal fire grate is provided for safe and contained cooking over a fire, as confirmed by customer review. Visitors are responsible for following all Forest Service fire regulations and carrying their own approved stove.
• Latrine: The site is equipped with a wilderness standard latrine (vault or box-style), providing a designated, low-impact method for human waste disposal, as verified by customer review.
• Water Access: The campsite's location on the Isabella River ensures a reliable and easily accessible water source. All water from the river must be filtered, boiled, or chemically treated before consumption.
• Tent Pads: The large size of the site includes designated flat areas, or tent pads, for setting up camp.
• Bear Safety: As is standard for all BWCA campsites, visitors are expected to use bear-aware practices, including hanging food or using a bear canister, as no food storage lockers are provided.

Visitors must be fully self-sufficient, packing in all food, toiletries, and supplies, and adhering to strict Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all trash.

Features / Highlights

The Isabella River Campsite’s highlights stem from its optimal location and capacity, making it a foundational element for any Powwow Trail adventure.

• The Ideal Launch Pad: The key highlight is its role as the "perfect stop" for the first night. Its 1-mile distance in is unmatched for convenience, allowing groups to reach the area, park, secure their permit, and hike in with minimal stress, even with a late start.
• River-Front Ambiance: Situated directly on the Isabella River, the site benefits from the pleasant sound of rushing water and a beautiful, classic Northwoods setting. The river crossing, featuring a rare BWCAW wooden bridge over the main channel and rock hopping/log crossing over a secondary channel, is an immediate, photogenic feature of the area.
• Dual-Use Functionality: This is one of the few designated backpacking campsites on the Powwow Trail that is also recognized as a canoe site (Campsite #1927). This allows for dynamic trip planning—a canoe/hike hybrid or simply witnessing both types of wilderness travelers using the hub.
• Pre-Loop Security: By stopping here, backpackers can comfortably and safely stage their gear and finalize preparations before tackling the far more rugged and remote loop section of the Powwow Trail, which begins 1.7 miles north at "The Wye."
• Immediate Wilderness Immersion: Despite its proximity to the trailhead, setting up camp on the Isabella River immediately places visitors within the heart of the BWCAW, offering an immediate sense of quiet and remoteness characteristic of the Minnesota wilderness.

Contact Information

Since the Isabella River Campsite is an unstaffed, designated wilderness location, all administrative and emergency contacts are routed through the U.S. Forest Service offices responsible for the area.

• Campsite Address (Administrative Area): Unnamed Road, Ely, MN 55731, USA (Nearest town and outfitting hub).
• Managing District (Superior National Forest): The Powwow Trail Entry Point 86 falls under the administration of the Tofte Ranger District.
• Tofte Ranger District Phone (For Conditions and Information): (218) 663-0012 or (218) 663-7280.
• Permit Reservations: All BWCAW Overnight Permits (Hiking EP 86 or Paddling EP 35) must be secured online via the national reservation system.

Important Local Note: For up-to-the-minute trail conditions, especially concerning the rugged, fire-affected sections of the Powwow Trail, local outfitters and the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee (BWAC) often provide the most current reports. Always check for trail status before departing.

What is Worth Choosing: The Value of the Isabella River Campsite

The Isabella River Campsite is worth choosing because it perfectly balances accessibility with true wilderness experience. For Minnesotans and other serious adventurers, it removes the stress of a long, dark haul after travel, providing an immediate, reliable, and scenic base camp.

It is the choice for:

• The Pragmatic Backpacker: Those driving from the Twin Cities or other distant locations will find the "1 mile hike in" an invaluable feature, allowing them to start their vacation immediately without exhaustion.
• Large Groups and Families: The site’s reputation as a "Very large site" with space for 6+ tents ensures comfort and space that is rare in the smaller, more remote BWCA campsites.
• The Prepared Planner: Knowing you have a campsite with a reliable fire grate and latrine after the initial hike is a great morale booster and a crucial piece of early trip logistics.
• The Wilderness Gatekeeper: Staying here grants you immediate access to the start of the Powwow Trail loop—a path that promises solitude, stunning regeneration, and a challenging trek. This campsite is the comfortable on-ramp to one of the most rugged trails in the state.
• Multi-Sport Adventurers: Its dual accessibility—hiker-friendly and canoe-accessible—makes it a unique and appealing option for those interested in exploring the Isabella River system as well as the backpacking trail.

In short, the Isabella River Campsite is the ideal Minnesota launch point: a beautiful, reliable, and convenient wilderness site that prepares the mind and body for the deep adventure that lies ahead on the Powwow Trail.