My favorite state park
July 2020. Cart ins
We actually camped here twice in July and this is our third camping trip to Tettegouche this year. I can’t say enough about this state park, I think it’s the best in the state. It is centrally located to the 9 state parks on the popular north shore, and has it all!! Lake Superior, overlooks, waterfalls, challenging hikes, swimming and the campgrounds are spacious and wooded. Aside from the popular hikes to Shovel Point, High Falls or Bean and Bear Lake - there are miles and miles of other beautiful hiking trails in this state park!
We stayed in cart-in sites each time. One was on the lake and the other in the main campground. Both of these sites are very popular and usually booked the first day they’re available, I was lucky enough to get them last summer. The cart ins on the water E-J have lake views and several have trails (sometimes tricky) that lead down to the water and you essentially have you own private beach. This cart in campground is about a mile hike in from the parking and they have carts to haul your gear. Any of these sites have something to offer and are VERY private. Our site had many hammock spots and gorgeous lake views. There are several vault toilets located in this campground and each site has a bear locker, picnic table and a fire ring with grate. You can walk to the bridge at the mouth of the Babtism River, which takes you to the trail system along the lake. We enjoyed swimming here and taking in more lake views.
The main campground is off the lake and up a winding road. There is also a trailhead near this campground and you can only access this portion with a MN state park pass. The shower house and bathrooms are located here. There are electric, tent and 6 more cart in sites. This campground is located close to the a trail system that takes you to two popular waterfalls, High Falls and Two Step Falls. The sites are nicely spaced and wooded. You do need to be very guarded with your food however. Use the bear lockers (provided in the cart ins) or keep your food in your car. Bears have been very active in this campground this summer, though we never saw one. Love this state park.