BWCA Campsite 1131 on Kawishiwi River

Wow! This site has all you could want or need. You even get the entertainment of watching folks navigate the rapids. Lots of beaver activity - It def handled the rapids better than we did!

Yep this is an awesome site with a tremendous view and fishing on the western side.... BUT there was lots of abuse..... We counted at least 29 stumps where campers cut dead trees about 15" off the ground in camp... which diminishes the beauty of the site immensely. Come on people!!! Lastly, the pit toilet was full to the vents on the side... we actually had to "stir the pile" down in order to use it. I did report the "Potty" situation to the Ranger Station that oversees the area.... Removed 1 star for the abuse..... Unfortunately

I don't give 5 stars, but this site deserves it. I'd be tempted to rate it a 4 so as to not draw excessive amounts of attention, but everyone else has already done that. The upstream landing is excellent, there is ample room for a big tarp setup, seating around the fire, multiple hammock and tent options, plenty of casting area for shore fishing, and, of course, a world class view from the rapids level as well as an elevated perch over the small canyon. Having this site as a solo made me feel spoiled, but I loved every second of it. Please do your LNT part and keep this site pristine if you visit.

This campsite, right along some rapids, was a beauty. We had three hammock campers and one 3 person tent. It suited our needs greatly. Great fire pit and common area. You can easily fish all around this campsite right off the shore and catch plenty of fish. We were catching walleye on the east side of this campsite in about 5 feet of water around sunset. Overall, fantastic site. One of the best I've stayed on. I can see why they call it, "The Hilton." My only gripe is the common area is fairly open and susceptible to lots of sunshine and wind. Didn't mind the wind to help keep the bugs away.

Great site for larger groups. Plenty of space. Two areas to put tents. Fire grate area is open and was in good shape. Lots of places to fish from shore around camp. Good beach area to swim and put in/take out.

On a calm day this would be really nice place; good base camp potential with access to the South Kawishiwi, Little/Big Gabbro, Clear Lake, and beyond. The site is accessible from both sides of the peninsula but the east side is easier. It has great parking, several good pad sites, terrific views, good latrine, etc. But mine was not a calm day. Wind roaring through from the south chased me back into the trees to cook and relax.

This place is the Hilton for a reason. It is situated on a rocky peninsula overlooking rapids on the Kawishiwi River. There is an island in the middle of the rapids, where they split in two. We were able to walk across the smaller, rockier rapids closer to the site to access the island. There is a good landing in an eddy below the rapids, but there is only room for two canoes. A better landing is around the island on the east side of the point. It can fit as many canoes as needed. The firepit was very built up, and it is surrounded by huge Norway Pines. There was a good kitchen area due south of the firepit. The latrine trail was long and rocky, but the latrine itself was in good condition. We stayed here for 5 days and the site was very accommodating. We even got to jump off the cliffs overlooking the river on the west side of the site, the water is plenty deep even in the fall. Overall, this is an excellent site and it is worth the stay.

We read that this was the Hilton and in many ways it was! It has a beautiful small rapids, nice cliff, great flat pads and a nice beach. For a first timer like us, it was perfect. However--like the Hilton it comes with a mess of people. the river narrows to about 90 feet wide here, so you get the benefit of seeing and hearing every trip that comes through--and there are alot! We counted 23 canoes our first day. That being said-we had lots of fun and if we ever come through entry point 32 again, we will think seriously about staying here again.

The spot was taken when I went by, but it is in a super cool area and looked really nice. It might be busy, but the elevation might make it more bearable in that regard. The location makes it desirable

This is THE HILTON!!! There are several flat tent spots if you walk a ways back along the path. My son and daughter found a great spot on top of a rock again with moss....executive suite....looking over the cliff to the river!!! The water along this site is flowing north...and there is a slight rapids at the south end. We donned our life vests and floated down the river several times. Then we got a long stick and checked water depth....more than 8 feet deep at 2 ft from the rock edge. We jumped off the 12 ft high cliffs several times into the water. Great way to cool off on a hot sweaty afternoon. We felt clean and refreshed afterward!!! Warning when floating down....the branch of water coming in from the west (around an island) is COLD. Very Cold. COLD. But fun! There is a great waist high rock a short distance from the fire pit that was great to set up a propane cook stove. Made breakfast quick and easy. Tons of blueberry bushes everywhere. Middle of July- fresh blueberry pancakes for breakfast.

I haven't stayed at this site, but it must be called "The Hilton" for a reason.