YMCA of the North family camp on Burntside Lake north of Ely, on the edge of the Boundary Waters, founded in 1961. Families come for one-week residential summer sessions with a waterfront (sailboats, canoes, kayaks), morning swims, hikes, crafts, saunas, bonfires and sing-alongs, plus a supervised children's program. Cabins and tent sites available with an optional meal plan; year-round retreats also offered.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact Camp du Nord directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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★★★★★Jessica C.I’ve been coming to Du Nord for the fall women’s retreat for years and it is my favorite weekend of the year. Tucked away in the woods, great food, amazing caring staff, and the cabins are so cute. Our favorite cabins are Thors, Jacks II, and The Winds so far!
★★★★★Wendy McGovernWe attended the "Work from camp" family camp in winter 20/21 and it was exactly what our family needed during the pandemic. We stayed in a nice cabin in Pine Pointe Village, our children participated in educational and outdoor programming (almost all outside in the winter) while my husband and I worked with fast WiFi from our cabin in front of our fireplace. We signed up for the food plan (created in to-go format and eaten at our cabin), and it was really good! We snuck in a few daytime hikes and did night hikes with our family too. The counselors that work with the kiddos are wonderful. Highly recommend for families with kids age 4+.
★★★★★Karmen KoosmanThe cabins are beautiful, the food is delicious, the scenery is awesome. The most amazing part is being around women holding each other up. I try to go at least once a year.
★★★★★Marjorie OttoCamp du Nord is pure perfection. Once you go, you can't get it out of your system. It is a wonderful place to bring your family and relax. It will become a tradition.
★★★★★Connor FortuneI've been going to this camp for 23 years. I'm also 23 years old. Point being, this camp is a fantastic family getaway, and the LDP program for high school kids is perfect to build life-long friends, solid leadership skills, and a healthy understanding of wilderness. The summer camp is the highlight of the year, with programming provided weekly by the coolest counselors you'll ever meet. However, Fall, Winter and Spring can still offer the perfect getaway from a busy life, family included or not. Advice: If you are looking to go, make sure to enter the Du Nord cabin lottery, because cabins go fast for prime weeks in the summer.