Has anyone ever been to Franklin Lake? It is in the Superior National Forest but not in the BWCA. About 6 miles west of Crane Lake. It has two of those backcountry canoe campsites on it with the picnic tables. I would like to bring the Princess and kids there for their first wilderness like experience. I want to bring a big family size tent and am worried about tent pads. I am also wondering about the length and condition of the carry down to the lake or if it is now possible to drive all the way to the water. I would love to bring the kitchen sink . Any info would be much appreciated. thanks.

that's probably considered a backcountry campsite. try getting some information from the LaCroix district forest service office by email lacroix@fs.fed.us

Franklin lake backcountry site info

the access into Franklin is relatively easy and was built to be an atv access but was closed due to some wash outs untilthe dnr has funds to repair it. it is quite a nice little lake that is easily accessed carrying a canoe or with the aid of portage wheels. the fishing can be good at times but the lake is quite clear so keep that in mind. if you have any questions feel free to ask, spent quite a few days fishing there and the surrounding lakes both summer and winter

Fishslayer, I was just there in september, the Forest service was working on the trail...its about 1/2 to 3/4 mile long...No atvs right now, but maybe in the future.. The lake itself isn't all that big, but Its one of my favorites. I have been going to this lake and others in the area for over 20 years. Northernmnguy, I probably have seen you up that way!

Thanks, you guys are awesome. Sounds like a nice lake. Does anyone remember the campsites? Maybe a campsite rating. thanks again.

I prefer the campsite on the north end of the lake. It has a nice tent area, and nice overlook of the lake. The camp on the west shore is nice as well, but the hill going up to the camp is kinda steep. There is alot of rock on the west camp, so limited areas for tents (I have never actually camped there, just had lunch). It does however, have a fish cleaning board on the shore. One more note, we stopped to have lunch at the western camp this september and were disappointed to find that someone had used the latrine to discard their cans and bottles. This pic was in sept at the west camp.

Ktoivola-Thankyou very much for the info and the pic It's nice chatting with someone who has been there. I think it is just what I have been looking for. I might have to get some portage wheels to bring the kitchen sink. Sorry to hear about the trash in the latrine though. It will be nice explaining that to my kids. Some people.... I clicked on your profile-looks like you just had to climb up that hill off the last portage into Horse Lake too. I thought that was kind of funny.

No prob slayer....that's what this site is all about. By the way, that hill is not on horse...its above the pictographs on crooked.

Quite clear? The DNR site says it is 7 feet water clarity. That isn't very clear at all.