Marathon Lake Campsite - Powwow Trail

Introduction / Overview: A True Wilderness Stop on the Powwow Trail

Marathon Lake Campsite is not a traditional recreational campground but a designated, primitive stopover for backpackers navigating the rugged and historically significant Powwow Trail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), near Ely, Minnesota. The Powwow Trail is a challenging, approximately 30-mile loop-on-a-stick trail, famous for its remote character and the dramatic post-fire landscape resulting from the 2011 Pagami Creek Wildfire, which burned nearly 95% of the area.

This campsite embodies the raw, self-sufficient nature of BWCA backpacking. It is a place to break a long hike, offering a respite from the often-arduous trail conditions which can include navigating regenerating brush, crossing wet lowlands, and staying alert for unstable burnt timber (snags). Marathon Lake Campsite is known for its basic, pre-fire features—specifically, a rock-formed fireplace—but importantly, it lacks some amenities found at more formally designated sites. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and its setting right along the trail, making it a critical landmark and stopping point roughly 3.6 miles west of 'The Wye' junction when hiking the loop clockwise. Visitors should approach Marathon Lake Campsite with a high degree of preparedness and wilderness experience, as cell service is non-existent and the trail demands strong navigational skills.

Location and Accessibility: Deep in the Superior National Forest

Marathon Lake Campsite is situated in the vast, roadless expanse of the Superior National Forest, accessible only by foot via the Powwow Trail. The geographic reference RJMH+G9, Ely, MN 55731, USA confirms its location within the wider Ely region, though the nearest vehicle access is at the BWCA Entry Point #86 (Powwow Trailhead), which shares a parking lot with the Isabella Lake Canoe Entry Point.

Accessibility is solely by backpacking along the challenging trail:

Trailhead Access: Driving to the Powwow Trailhead (Entry Point #86) via a long drive on unpaved Forest Roads (FR 377, FR 373, FR 369, FR 172) from either Ely or the North Shore (Hwy 1).Hiking: The campsite is located on the loop portion of the Powwow Trail, meaning hikers must first traverse the 2.7-mile "stick" section from the trailhead to the junction known as "The Wye."Route Integration: From The Wye, Marathon Lake Campsite is approximately 3.9 miles along the loop if hiking clockwise (west). It sits between the beaver dam crossing at Fallen Arch Lake and the Diana Lake Bridge crossing.

The trail itself is often rugged and obscured by new growth and blowdown, even after extensive volunteer clearing efforts. Hikers must be prepared for wet conditions, including marshy sections and beaver dam crossings, and should bring reliable maps, a compass, and a GPS track (such as from the Boundary Waters Advisory Committee) as a necessary backup.

Services Offered (Primitive and Minimal)

Marathon Lake Campsite is listed as a dispersed camping area and is explicitly designated as a closed site by some trail guides due to hazard trees and the lack of certain standard BWCA amenities. Therefore, the services are restricted to the bare essentials required for a wilderness overnight stay, reinforcing the need for complete self-reliance.

Campsite: A cleared area or spur trail leading to a spot near the lakeshore, originally a designated site. Its use is subject to current safety warnings due to the Pagami Creek Fire burn area's unstable standing dead snags.Fire Ring: The site features a rock-formed fireplace (rock ring), but notably, it does not have a permanent steel fire grate typical of developed BWCA campsites.Toilets: No latrine is provided at this site, as confirmed by visitor reviews. Campers must follow strict Leave No Trace guidelines: waste must be buried 6–8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, trails, and the campsite.Water Source: Marathon Lake is a reliable water source, despite its shores being described by visitors as very muddy and potentially difficult to access, especially during periods of low water. All water must be filtered, boiled, or chemically treated for drinking.Firewood: No firewood is provided. While generally permissible to gather dead and downed wood in this area, the Pagami Creek Fire consumed much of the usable deadfall, and conservation is requested to aid forest regeneration. Campers should plan to use a cookstove.Permitting: An Overnight Hiking Permit for BWCA Entry Point #86 (Powwow Trail) is mandatory for any overnight stay, even though this specific site is classified as dispersed/closed.Food Storage: No facilities for bear-proofing food are provided. Due to the lack of strong, suitable trees for hanging, hikers must utilize alternative storage methods, such as Ursacks or other approved bear-resistant containers, 200 feet from the campsite.

Features / Highlights (A Glimpse of Recovery)

The features of Marathon Lake Campsite and the surrounding trail offer a unique perspective on wilderness recovery and a challenge for the experienced backpacker.

Rock Formed Fireplace: The presence of an established rock fire ring provides a recognizable anchor and a protected spot for a campfire (when regulations allow).Rest Stop: It serves as a great mid-point stop for lunch or rest, particularly for those pushing toward the Diana Lake bridge (west) or heading back toward The Wye (east).Lake View: The site offers a nice view of Marathon Lake, though the shore can be muddy, the open setting provides a quiet, reflective space.Regenerating Forest: The area provides a dramatic, first-hand view of a forest recovering after a major natural wildfire, showcasing new growth against the backdrop of burnt snags—an increasingly common and interesting landscape in the BWCA.Scenic Trail Connection: The site is linked to an impressive 30-mile trail system that showcases scenic overlooks, various wetlands, and a dynamic ecosystem.Seclusion: Due to the trail’s difficulty and the general primitive nature of the area, the campsite offers significant solitude, with low hiker traffic compared to many canoe entry points.Access to Adjacent Features: Proximity to the Diana Lake Bridge and the Fallen Arch Lake area means it’s strategically placed for exploring the western half of the Powwow Loop.

Contact Information

For administrative and permitting inquiries related to the Powwow Trail and Marathon Lake Campsite, contact the managing forest office.

Address: RJMH+G9, Ely, MN 55731, USA (Approximate Location)

Tofte Ranger District (Managing Office): (218) 387-1750

Permit Reservation Hotline (Recreation.gov): 1-877-444-6777

What is Worth Choosing Marathon Lake Campsite

Choosing the Marathon Lake Campsite, or any stop on the Powwow Trail, is for the Minnesotan backpacker who actively seeks a rugged, challenging, and historically unique experience over comfort. It is worth choosing for the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing a section of one of the BWCA's most difficult trails. The site's primary value is its critical location as a necessary overnight stop along the loop, allowing hikers to break up the long trek between the Isabella River and the more established sites further along the trail. The opportunity to witness the forest in the stages of post-fire recovery is a profound, unforgettable feature—a living lesson in ecological change. This destination is ideal for the experienced wilderness enthusiast who is fully prepared for minimal amenities (no latrine, difficult water access) and understands that the reward is not luxury, but immersion in one of Minnesota’s most resilient and remote wildernesses.