Camping the North Shore

Camping makes memories. And the North Shore is full of great things to remember. There is no better way to experience the unique natural environment of the North Shore than to camp out. You’re in the woods. Among the critters. In the cool lake breeze. Making s’mores and telling tales around the campfire.

Camping in the state parks and forests

The premiere North Shore camping is in the six lakeshore state parks. Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, Temperance River, Cascade River and Judge C.R. Magney State Parks all have developed campgrounds with luxuries like hot showers. Temperance River State Park even has electrical RV hook-ups. All the campgrounds but Magney have direct access to the Lake Superior shoreline. All of the campgrounds are directly connected to miles of hiking trails. The facilities are clean, and the sites can be reserved a year in advance.

Camping information: Minnesota State Parks

If you can plan your state park camping trip more than a day in advance, it’s a good idea to reserve a campsite. Find out more about camping in Minnesota State Parks.

Permits

To get to the best of the state parks, you’ll want to have a Minnesota State Park vehicle permit.

Camping in the Superior National Forest and state forests

Can’t find a campsite in the State Park campsites? Head inland. With a 30 minute drive or less, you can find a quiet forest campsite on the shore of a smaller lake or river. You’ll find these remote campgrounds both in the Superior National Forest and in Minnesota’s state forests. The campgrounds are a bit more rugged, with outhouses and water from a well. With the extra work you’ll find extra privacy and wildness.

Some of the more popular Superior National Forest campgrounds near the North Shore are:

Sawbill Lake
Temperance River
Devil Track Lake
Two Island
Kimball Lake

Camping information: Superior National Forest.

Find out more about camping in the Superior National Forest.

Camping in private and municipal campgrounds

Love to camp, but like to take it easy? Try one of the North Shore’s scenic and convenient municipal or private campgrounds.

Lamb’s Resort in Schroeder is the last of its kind, a private campground right on the shore of Lake Superior, with full RV hook-ups and easy access to services.

Both Two Harbors and Grand Marais have municipal campgrounds on the shore right next to town.

Knife River Campground: The campground in the village of Knife River has 30 RV/tent sites that include pull-through sites that include pull-through sites, 30 and 50 Amp electric service, water and sewer.

Penmarallter Campsite, near Two Harbors on scenic 61, is a small private campground, Mom and Pop owned and operated. There are 24 pull through sites, 5 have water, electric (50amp) and sewer. The remaining sites have water and electric (20, 30, and 50 amps).

These private and municipal campgrounds focus their services on RV campers, but tent campers are welcome and have their own designated areas.