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There are numerous campgrounds on the North Shore, MN! Camp on Lake Superior in town at Two Harbors and Grand Marais municipal campgrounds, Schroeder's private campground, and four state parks.
Inland campgrounds are always located on a lake, river, or stream and are available both privately and publicly.
There are many government campgrounds in the Superior National Forest, and all paid campgrounds have some reservable sites.
The free campsite sites are rough and do not have potable water, trash cans, or hosts. There are also a number of State Forest campgrounds, which are identical to federal facilities but located on state land.
You can locate North Shore Lake Superior campgrounds with additional amenities to make your stay more comfortable.
Picnic tables, fire rings, water and power hookups, as well as bathhouses with hot water and flush toilets, are available in some North Shore Minnesota campgrounds.
Except for Grand Portage, all of the North Shore state parks provide camping. State parks have hike-in, cart-in, kayak, group, rustic, and electric campsites.
With so many north coast Lake Superior campgrounds to select from, you're sure to discover the ideal location for your vacation.
Best North Shore Campground
The North Shore of Lake Superior is home to one of Minnesota's most picturesque and challenging environments. It has sandy beautiful beaches and verdant woodlands.
The North Shore provides ideal camping locations, particularly during the summer. It has a variety of campgrounds where you can escape the grind and chill off. The following is a list of the best campgrounds on the North Shore of Minnesota.
1. Temperance River State Park
Temperance River State Park, located in Silver Bay, offers stunning views of Lake Superior as well as a sandy beach where you may walk into the water, look for agates, or skip rocks.
Most people choose the paths along the Temperance River Gorge, which features rushing waterfalls and a deep North Woods forest of pine, spruce, cedar, and birch trees.
Climbers enjoy visiting Carlton Peak, a 1,078-foot bouldering wall with seven routes in anorthosite rock. This material is extremely abrasive, so wear sturdy clothing.
Temperance River has two drive-in campgrounds: higher and lower. Some sites in the lower campground have views of the lake, where you may enjoy spectacular sunsets and the soothing sounds of the water.
If you need power, reserve a site in the top campground. Both campgrounds include shaded sites that are ideal for summer and fall heat.
RVers have two pull-through sites and a maximum RV length of 60 feet. Six walk-in sites provide seclusion and quiet, with carts available for hauling goods.
READ ALSO: Georgetown Lake Campgrounds
2. Tettegouche State Park
Tourists come to Tettegouche State Park to enjoy the sights of the lake and the 60-foot falls on Baptism River—the highest waterfall in all of Minnesota!
The Sawtooth Mountains, a low ridgeline located just inland of Lake Superior and home to a large portion of the SHT, are also visible in the distance.
There are four-season routes in Tettegouche that are ideal for trekking and seeing bear, moose, and hare.
The land, which was formerly utilized as a base for fishing excursions by Duluth businessmen and Algonquin Native Americans, was declared a park in 1979.
Along the Baptism River are 28 drive-in sites with wooded driveways and solitude; all but six have electricity.
Along the SHT, there are five backpacking sites that are first-come, first-served. For the quickest access to the waterfalls, camp at sites 20 or 22 and visit during the summer to see the wildflowers.
Don't forget to pack fishing poles and a fishing license so you can catch some tasty perch, bass, or northern pike for dinner!
3. Cascade River State Park
Hike the paths in Cascade River State Park, so-named for the rushing river that winds through its rocky terrain, to witness five small waterfalls and take in the lushness of the park's boreal forest.
Black volcanic rocks that were deposited here approximately 1.1 billion years ago cover a large portion of the area. The river is surrounded by a forest with aspen, pine, and fern trees, as well as an interesting footbridge.
Take a snowmobile or an 18-mile hike on authorized trails. Enjoy the park year-round on its two miles of well-maintained trails. Cascade River is one of the best places in Minnesota to watch the Northern Lights because it is far from any light pollution.
Along with two group sites, five hiking locations, and 40 drive-in campsites (three of which are electric and three of which are non-electric, are kept free during the winter).
During the summer, campers have access to either rustic vault toilets and showers or modern restrooms and electric or non-electric campsites.
Take your belongings up the SHT to Lookout Mountain for a rough campsite that many people are unaware of! There, you can build up tents or hammocks!
READ ALSO: Best Sisters Campgrounds
4. Gooseberry Falls State Park
Gooseberry Falls, the first of eight Minnesota State Parks you'll come across traveling north on Highway 61 from Duluth, is known as the entryway to the North Shore.
This popular green area in Two Harbors is well-known for its gorgeous hiking trails and waterfalls.
To get to the upper falls, hike the three-mile path loop. Here, you can see passing ships and alpine-arctic flora that are specific to the region due to the low temperatures and close closeness to the lake.
The majority of campers at Gooseberry will wind up at one of the 69 drive-in campsites in the park, four of which are wheelchair accessible.
Gooseberry has three pull-through RV sites, with a 40-foot maximum length allowed. Larger parties can also reserve one of three group campgrounds, which provide space for up to 50 people and are tent-only.
5. Grand Portage State Park
At Grand Portage State Park, the 120-foot High Falls on the Pigeon River, which is believed to be approximately 9,000 years old and flows between Canada and Minnesota, is the highest waterfall in the state.
Historically, the Anishinaabe Native Americans and the European fur traders used the waterway for transportation by portaging, or walking, their canoes and belongings around the falls.
These days, guests can see Lake Superior's numerous channels by strolling the half-mile trail to the lookout.
Look for black bears and great blue herons among the aspen, birch, and pine trees. This is a popular area along the North Shore for landscape and animal photographers and hikers.
Although there aren't any campsites in Grand Portage itself, Grand Portage Marina RV Park (opens in new window), which is 6 miles distant, offers overnight accommodations. So, if you are planning a summer camping trip, Grand Portage is the perfect place for you.
RV campers can enjoy fully equipped clean bathhouses and connections at the property, and Grand Portage Lodge guests can use the pool and sauna.
READ ALSO: Dauphin Island Campgrounds
6. Sawbill Lake Campground
There are fifty camping spots with fire grates and picnic tables available at this campground. Aside from Sawbill Lake, other facilities include drinking water, restrooms, and RV accessibility (limited length, no full hook-ups, though) with a fee for first come, first served.
There's a large group area, picnic area, informative nature trail, barrier-free fishing pier, and an entry point into the BWCA; Sawbill Outfitters is nearby and rents out canoes and convenience items.
7. Burlington Bay Campground
In Two Harbors, the top campground is Burlington Bay Campground. With 146 reservable sites and a one-year prior reservation period, it's one of the biggest campgrounds.
Seventy of the 146 camp sites that can be reserved have hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. There are 10 basic tent sites at this camping area as well.
There is a gift shop, restrooms with flushing toilets, and showers available. The Burlington Bay Campground is amazing since it's calmer than other campgrounds around Highway 61.
8. Black Beach Municipal Campground
This campsite is perfect for people who live close to Silver Bay. The popular Black Beach in Minnesota is the source of the name of the Black Beach Municipal Campground. Black Beach is just a short stroll from this location.
Out of the 49 camping spots, 39 offer a complete hookup, while the remaining sites are electric only. After a long day of exploring, the fire ring at each camping site is the ideal spot to enjoy s'mores.
READ ALDO: NC Coastal Campgrounds
9. Judge C. R. Magney State Park
The enigmatic Devil's Kettle Waterfall is the main draw of Judge C.R. Magney State Park, which is situated in Grand Marais.
The Brule River divides into two distinct waterfalls as it flows through the park. There is nothing enigmatic about the 50-foot drop on the east side of the river.
But the river's western branch looks to vanish entirely into a massive volcanic sinkhole.
Although hydrologists have demonstrated that the water enters the Brule River(opens in new window) through an underground channel, rumors that the water travels to Canada have been disproven.
In 2017, they put the notion to the test by adding vegetable-based dye to the top of the falls and observing color remnants in the river downstream.
There are 27 secluded, drive-in sites with trees at the campground. After hiking the SHT, which loops through the day-use area, treat yourself to a shower and enjoy modern plumbing.
10. Grand Marais Campground and Marina Municipal Campground
Situated in a convenient location bordered by Grand Marais Harbor on one side and Lake Superior on the other, Grand Marais Campground enjoys an ideal position that makes it easy to walk to downtown dining options, stores, and the North House Folk School.
There are 300 campsites with full hookups, rustic tent sites with a view of the lake and trees, spotless restrooms, affordable green fees, a playground, a softball field, hiking paths, and lower prices in the spring and fall.
11. Sullivan Lake Campground
The campgrounds are regarded as "primitive (historic sites)," with only the bare necessities for the camper provided. A table, fire ring, and cleared space make up each campground.
There are drinking water stations, trash cans, and vault toilets available. Every location is available for a price and is first come, first served.
Nestled near Sullivan Lake lies the Sullivan Lake Campground. There are four day-use picnic areas, nature walks, canoe rentals, cabin rentals, and a boat launch at the campground.
Head north on County Road 2 for 26 miles from Two Harbors to County Road 15; turn left (W) for 0.5 miles; turn left (S) at the entrance to Sullivan Lake Road.
12. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Travelers come from all around to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to enjoy the unmatched vistas of Lake Superior.
Situated atop a 130-foot-tall rock, the park's namesake lighthouse was constructed during a severe storm in 1905 that sank seven ships within a dozen miles of the Split Rock River.
For fifty-nine years, people worked at the lighthouse to keep boats from beaching on the rocks.
The park has 12 miles of hiking paths along the coastline that connect to the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), and the lighthouse is now recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
See the 1000-watt lightbulb and enjoy views of "the most dangerous piece of water in the world" by taking a tour of the lighthouse.
All year round, Split Rock is a well-liked park with peaceful, multipurpose paths for hiking, fat tire bicycling, skijoring, kick sledding, and snowshoeing in the winter.
13. Golden Eagle Lodge Campground
The exclusive Golden Eagle Lodge Campground offers the same attentive care as our accommodations.
Each of our nine campsites includes a fire ring, picnic table, and connections for electricity and water. There are 20, 30, and 50 amp electric services. In the main lodge structure, there is easy access to WiFi.
There are two contemporary restrooms with flush toilets and hot water in our heated shower house. One bathroom has a roll-in shower that is handicapped accessible.
There's also a disposal station accessible. RVs, campers, trailers, and tents of all sizes are welcome at these locations.
14. Nor’wester Lodge Campgrounds
Welcome to your ideal place in the North Woods. Our seven campsites, four townhouses, and six cabins are all located very close to Poplar Lake's shoreline.
You can rent boats, motors, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, and pontoons, or you can just unwind on the private terrace, patio, or sand beach.
Are you in the mood for adventure? There are islands to discover, sweeping vistas to discover, or just browsing our shop for souvenirs.
15. Temperance River State Park Campground
Would you like to camp at Temperance River State Park? It has 52 [nearly year-round] drive-in sites, is open practically year-round (closes in the middle of winter), and allows RVs up to 60 feet in length. The upper campsite has 18 electric sites and 2 pull-through sites.
There are 34 sites in the lower campsite (non-electric), several of which have great views of Lake Superior.
Six cart-in locations next to the parking lot, three in each of the higher and lower campgrounds; carts and bear-proof storage lockers available.
There are year-round vault toilets and flush toilets with seasonal accessibility in the top campground. Ice and firewood are available seasonally at the office.
16. George H Crosby Manitou State Park
George H. Crosby Manitou is the first of two Minnesota State Parks located in Silver Bay.
A 3,320-acre park on the Manitou River, it is named for a mining merchant who was instrumental in the development of the Mesabi and Cuyuna iron mines. This is the ultimate North Shore wildness.
This rough, off-the-beaten-path park has 24 miles of backcountry hiking routes with breathtaking waterfalls and excellent opportunities to observe wildlife.
The serene waters of Benson Lake, located in the center of the park, are also popular with kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders.
The campsites in this park, which is only open to backpackers, are lovely, remote, and rustic. Between a half mile and four and a half miles from the parking area are 21 remote spots.
Near Benson Lake or the Manitou River, the majority of locations offer incredible views and refreshing watery breezes. There are no showers or running water here because the restrooms are field latrines.
There are no bear lockers, so prepare to hang your food and toiletries. To choose the location that best meets your needs, notify the ranger station in advance. Some sites offer access to drinking water.
17. Baker Lake Campground
On the edge of Baker Lake, amid a stand of red pines, is a rustic campground. There is a solar-powered drinking water faucet, which sets this rustic campground apart from most others.
For those who are using the Baker Lake Entry Point to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, it's a great place to spend your first or last night.
Five private campsites, free boat launch, walleye, northern, and perch on the lake are available.
Bottom Line
The finest area to camp is on the North Shore. There are several of campgrounds here with beautiful views and features like water and power connections that you can enjoy. It promises an unforgettable camping experience.