14 Best Places for Camping on the North Shore, Minnesota

Lake Superior's North Shore has one of Minnesota's most beautiful and rugged landscapes. It boasts sandy beaches and lush forests. The North Shore offers the perfect places for camping, especially during summer. It boasts a wide range of campground options where you can go off-grind and cool off. Below is a list of the best places for camping on the North Shore, Minnesota.

1. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park provides one of the best places to camp on the North Shore. While camping at this site, you will enjoy a picturesque view of the Split Rock Lighthouse.

In addition, Split Rock has two wheelchair-accessible options, four backpack sites, and 20 cart-in sites; if you want some privacy while camping, book site 20. You can access two of the four backpack sites from Lake Superior.

2. Spirit Mountain

Spirit Mountain is widely famous for its winter slopes. Its full camping services during the summer months are only a few minutes from downtown Duluth. Spirit Mountain has 73 fully reservable sites. You can make a one-year in-advance reservation and choose a non-electric or electric site option. Spirit Mountain provides the best campgrounds if you wish to camp close to all Duluth attractions and Canal Park.

3. Lamb's Resort and Campground

The Lamb's Resort and Campground is one of the best places to camp on the North Shore, Minnesota. This camping site is nestled among trees and offers a wooded view of Lake Superior. It is located right near the lake and provides the most beautiful and unique place to camp.

At the campsite, there is a fire ring for cooking and a picnic table, where you can enjoy your meals. You can head to the resort's beach and fish or swim when not camping.

4. Cascade River State Park

Cascade River State Park has incredible camping grounds where you can bask in the lush Boreal forest. The name Cascade River State Park comes from the river's rushing waters that meander through this magnificent terrain.

This state park has two group sites, five backpacking spots, and a 40-year-round drive-in campsite. It is the perfect place for you, your family, and your friends to bond in the majestic forest and listen to the gushing waters.

5. Grand Marais Campground

Grand Marais Campground boasts one of the most scenic locations for camping. It has Lake Superior and Grand Marais Harbor on its sides. The best thing about thing campground is that it offers easy access to North House Folk School and the downtown restaurants and shops.

Grand Marais Campground has 300 camping sites that boast hiking trails, softball fields, playgrounds, green discount fees, clean bathhouses, wooden tent sites, and reduced fall and spring rates. The majority of the camping sites are available for advance booking. However, there are others where you can get a site based on a first come, first served.

6. Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park boasts picturesque waterfalls and an incredible green space. This state park has 69 drive-in sites where you can camp. Four of the 69 sites are wheelchair accessible. For those with RVs, there are three pull-through sites located at Gooseberry. The designated RV length limit is about 40 feet, and you will also find three group camps that can accommodate about 50 people. The large group campsite accommodates tents only.

While insurance is optional for most people with recreational vehicles (RVs), you must get auto insurance for the RV you drive. Like a regular car, most states require motorized RVs to be insured with minimum liability insurance.

7. Burlington Bay Campground

Burlington Bay Campground is a premier camping site in Two Harbors. It is one of the largest camping grounds, boasting 146 reservable sites, where you can make a 1-year advance reservation.

Of the 146 reservable camping sites, 66 have electric and water hookups, and 70 have electric, water, and sewer hookups. In addition, this camping ground has ten primitive sites for tents. You will find a gift shop, shower facilities, and flush toilets on site. One incredible thing about the Burlington Bay Campground is that it is quieter compared to other camping sites near Highway 61.

8. Black Beach Municipal Campground

This camping site is ideal for those near Silver Bay. The Black Beach Municipal Campground's name is from the popular Black Beach in Minnesota. This site is only a walking distance away from Black Beach.

It has 49 camping sites, 39 of which comprise a full hookup, while the rest are electric only. All the camping sites have a fire ring, providing the best place to enjoy s'mores after a full day of exploring.

9. Golden Eagle Lodge Campground

The Golden Eagle Lodge Campground is a private campground. It has personalized services that ensure you can enjoy the best camping experience. This campground has nine camping sites, each with electric and water hookups, a fire ring, and a picnic table.

In the main lodge, you can access free WiFi. The heated shower house comprises two modern bathrooms with flush toilets and hot water. There is also a dump station. This campground can accommodate tents, trailers, campers, and RVs of all sizes.

10. Tettegouche State Park

Tettegouche State Park provides the best views of the Baptism River Falls, Minnesota's highest waterfall. This state park boasts 28 drive-in sites that give privacy; 22 of the sites have electricity.

There are also 13 carts in sites that overlook Lake Superior. In addition, you will find five first-come, first-serve backpacking sites. Camping at this campground during summer provides the perfect time to enjoy wildflowers.

11. Penmarallter Campground

The Penmarallter Campground has been in operation since the 1960s. This campground provides campers with a spacious grass area, ideal for setting fun camping games. It also has a fire ring for cooking and a picnic table where you can share your meals with family and friends.

In addition, the campground has firewood for sale. You can use the firewood to set a campfire and have fun games, such as storytelling.

12. White Pine Lake Campground

The White Pine Lake Campground is an easy-to-reach rustic campground located near a scenic medium-sized lake. It features an easily accessible fishing pier, a boat launch, and picturesque white pines.

This campground boasts three backcountry sites, charges no fees, and no reservations are required. However, it has a nine-person limit per site.

13. Temperance River State Park

Temperance River State Park boasts one of the most extensive camping grounds on the North Shore. It provides over 50 sites for camping. These camping sites are located around the Temperance River Gorge.

14. George Crosby Manitou State Park

George Crosby Manitou State Park has 21 remote and secluded camping sites. Many of these sites are available along the Manitou River. You can experience rocky and steep trails at this campground, which are best for a challenging hiking experience.

If you aim to camp away from other campers, George Crosby Manitou State Park is the ideal place. Here you can enjoy camping while relishing scenic views.

In Conclusion

The North Shore provides the best place for camping. At this location, there are loads of campgrounds with scenic views and amenities, such as water and electric hookups, that you can enjoy. It promises a camping experience of a lifetime.