About Poplar River Rustic Campground
Poplar River Rustic Campground is unusual in that it is located on the edge of a river rather than a lake. Several of the sites have access directly to the river, so stream fishing for trout can be done right from your campsite! Trout and salmon fishing does require a trout/salmon stamp in addition to a valid Minnesota fishing license. This campground is also right on one of the roads included in our Fall Color Tours, so it is good spot to stay during the fall color season. The Poplar River is either named after the quaking aspen tree, locally referred to as popple or poplar, or the balsam poplar. Balsam poplar has a distinctive and wonderful smell most noticible during leaf out in the spring.
- Fees: There is no fee at rustic campgrounds.
- Season: May 10 – October 1
- Managed by: USFS - Superior National Forest
- Where: 6 mi northwest of Lutsen, MN · 47.73842, -90.77746
Things to do:
Official page for this camp (fees, closures, booking)
Weather by month
Typical daily highs and lows (°F), 1991–2020 NOAA normals. Best months: Jun–Aug (comfortable days, mild nights, little rain). Nights below freezing: Nov–Apr.
Fly over it in 3D, check today's weather and fire news, plan the drive and print a trip plan.
Trails near camp
| Trail | Open to | From camp | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeymoon Spur F | ATV / OHV, Dirt bike | 1.1 mi | 0.1 mi |
| Pancore Lake | ATV road | 1.4 mi | 4.6 mi |
| Rice Lake | ATV road | 1.9 mi | 5.4 mi |
| Cj Ramstad North Shore State | Horse | 2.8 mi | 51.5 mi |
| Screech | ATV / OHV, Dirt bike | 2.9 mi | 3.6 mi |
Straight-line distance from camp, from Forest Service, BLM, state and OpenStreetMap trail data.
Good to know
Verizon 4G · AT&T 4G
From the carriers' FCC coverage maps, which tend to be generous.The Milky Way casts shadows and the sky is crowded with stars.
Class 1 of 9, from NASA/NOAA night-light data.Propane: 20.7 mi
Nearest of each within 25 miles, straight-line.Camps nearby
- White Pine Lake Rustic Campground 1.2 mi
- Clara Lake Rustic Campground 2.8 mi
- Dispersed spot · 8 mi NW of Lutsen 2.9 mi
- Rice Lake 3.5 mi
- Temperance River Campground 4.9 mi
- West Lake Agnes 5 mi