These beautiful campsites are located either lakeside or very near the lake. A centrally located shower house with modern bathroom conveniences is located nearby. There is also a centrally located food cache shed with refrigerators and freezers for use.

Camp Northern lights does not have an RV dump station. However, there is one located in Babbitt and Ely.

  • Babbitt: Babbitt City Garage, 39 North Dr, Babbitt MN 55706 / 218-827-2129 
    • Free
  • Ely: Ely Chamber of Commerce, 1600 E Sheridan St, Ely MN 55731 / 218-365-612
    • $10 or less

Each site comes equipped with the following:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire ring (with grate)
  • Bear box (food storage container) *dishes provided inside
  • Electrical hookup (30 amp)
  • Water spigot (clean, potable drinking water)

These sites are non-smoking and seasonal, available in the summer only.

View list of what's included in tent site bear boxes

Camping Equipment Reservations

To reserve camping or cooking equipment, the Equipment Reservation Form must be filled out and received 7 days prior to your session at camp. Please email completed forms to CNLcove@ymcanorth.org. You may also reserve equipment when you arrive at camp depending on availability.

View a camp map for location details.

Located in Back of Beyond Village

The original resort that operated these cabins was founded in 1939, and at that time, it was called Buena Vista—however, the owners’ daughters wanted to name the resort Back of Beyond because it was more mysterious and puzzling. Back of Beyond means “a distant place, extremely remote”—in other words, a great place to getaway!

The tent sites in Back of Beyond Village are named for fish native to the area.

Each of the 7 tent sites sleep 6.

Tent & RV Sites

These 5 sites can accommodate vehicles, including small campers or pop-up trailers up to 25 feet. Much of the ground is covered in pea gravel but tents are welcome at these sites too.

  • Sunfish
  • Bluegill
  • Pumpkinseed
  • Perch
  • Bass

Lakeside sites

These 2 sites cannot accommodate vehicles or trailers. Vehicles can be driven very close on arrival and departure days.

  • Walleye
  • Tullibee

Summer Family Camp

Book Your Own Getaway

Please view Weekly and Nightly Rates for up to date pricing information.

Book Your Own Getaway