Last Visited: October 6, 2024; Previous Visit(s): July 10, 2016
Maps: Fisher F-5; McKenzie #21
Daily Quota: 2
Fire History:
Nearest Ranger Station: Tofte Ranger Station, Tofte, MN along Hwy. 61 on the North Shore
Portage Length from Parking Lot: 0 rods
Restroom at Entry Point: Yes. The Baker Lake Campground is also here
BWCA Entry Point 39 - Baker Lake
Tofte Ranger District
From Tofte, Minnesota, follow the Sawbill Trail (Cook County Road 2) north and inland from Lake Superior. After just a few miles, this road becomes a dirt road. You will pass the Temperance Lake Campground on your left 12 miles out of Tofte. Continue past the campground. Eventually you come to an intersection (which is signed). Follow the direction signs for Baker Lake from this point.
Besides the entry point, the Baker Lake Rustic Campground managed by the U.S. Forest Service is also located here. It is completely free to camp here and no reservations are required. The word "rustic" in the name means that there are limited services at this campground.
There is only one route option out of Baker Lake and that is to the north into Peterson Lake and then into Kelly Lake. From Kelly Lake, you can continue north along the Temperance River route or head west into the "Fire Lakes" which consists of Burnt Lake, Smoke Lake and Flame Lake. Sawbill Lake is accessible via 100 rod portage to the west of Smoke Lake.
There is an interesting mine that you can visit along the portage between Kelly Lake and Jack Lake. This is the Frank Johnson Mine and it dates back to the 1890's.
Exploring the Entry Point
Click on the photos below to see the full resolution image - Use your browsers back button to close photo and return to this page.
The sign points the way. Note that this sign/turnoff to the Baker Lake entry point is right by a bridge. The Temperance River flows under that bridge and standing on that bridge offers some nice views (July 10, 2016).
View upstream of the Temperance River looking in the direction of Baker Lake (which is not in view). This view is from the bridge that crosses the river along the road (July 10, 2016).
A view of the Temperance River from the bridge the road crosses. This is just 100 feet from the sign for the Baker Lake entry point. This is looking downstream where the river enters a marshy flatwater section. That marshy lake in the distance has a name and is aptly called Marsh Lake (July 10, 2016).
After turning off the main road, you come to a decision point. Entry point canoe landing is to the left. The campground is to the right (July 10, 2016).
You soon come to the parking lot. To unload your gear, you can drive right down next to the lake and then bring your car back and leave it here (July 10, 2016).
If you gotta go, head to the building on the left. The road to the right leads down to the lake from this end of the parking lot (July 10, 2016).
Walkaround of the Baker Lake Entry Point (October 6, 2024).
This is older video footage of this entry point (July 10, 2016).
The landing area. You can unload your car here before returning it to the parking lot (October 6, 2024).
Older photo of roughly the same view as that shown in the image above (July 10, 2016).
The standard bulletin board found at all BWCA entry points (October 6, 2024).
This was the previous bulletin board (July 10, 2016).
The information signage. To the right of the sign is the trail leading up to the campground (October 6, 2024).
A view of Baker Lake from the entry point canoe landing. You can see about two-thirds of this small lake standing right here. The only route is up to Peterson Lake to the north which is out around the point to the far left. To the right is where the Temperance River exits Baker Lake (and also exits the BWCA) on its journey to Lake Superior. Baker Lake, Peterson Lake and Kelly Lake even further north of Peterson Lake are all just wide sections along the Temperance River (July 10, 2016).
Getting ready to paddle away from the landing (October 6, 2024).
Now that you've reached the shore of the lake, visit:BAKER LAKE
