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.
More like this: first-come in Minnesota · free in Minnesota · tent only in Minnesota
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | There is no fee at rustic campgrounds. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | May 10 to October 1 |
| Forest | Superior National Forest |
| Fees | There is no fee at rustic campgrounds. |
| Rules | Maximum of nine people per site. There is space for one vehicle and one towed vehicle (such as a boat trailer). Additional vehicles on the site must park on the spur. No vehicles may park on the grass or where they impede traffic. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 47.7384° N, 90.7775° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSunfish Rx
34 mi from the campground · 775 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Sawtooth Outfitters ↗ | 11.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.1 miHoneymoon Spur F1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miPancore Lake-Private Road0.09 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.7 miScreech Road Bike4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.9 miScreech3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 3.2 miClara Lk Rd-Silver Lake0.2 mi trail · hiking
- 3.5 miBulge Lake-Silver Lake0.2 mi trail · hiking, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Superior National Forest.
- inSuperior National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,886,760 acres
- 14.5 miBoundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 816,244 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Cascade River WaysideSite · Cascade River State Park · 12 mi
- Schroeder Lumber Company BunkhouseBuilding · Schroeder · 14.6 mi
Guidebooks for Minnesota
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Poplar River Rustic Campground?
No. Poplar River Rustic Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Poplar River Rustic Campground?
Nothing. Poplar River Rustic Campground is listed as free. There is no fee at rustic campgrounds.
Source: Forest Service
Can I bring an RV to Poplar River Rustic Campground?
Poplar River Rustic Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Poplar River Rustic Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are White Pine Lake Rustic Campground (1.2 mi, first-come), Clara Lake Rustic Campground (2.8 mi, first-come), and Temperance River Campground (4.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby