I was here a while back and decided to give it another whirl during a fall trip to Grand Marais/Gunflint. However a bit of difference this time:

-Online booking showed that it was first come first serve, so we decided to go ahead and try our luck.

-I came with my buddies during mid-late October and we were NOT expecting snowfall [light]

-We arrived and the campground was actually CLOSED for the season!! (Arrived October 19th)

-To our luck though, the owners of the campground (Golden Eagle Lodge) allow you to camp on campgrounds for free but no utilities (water or trash).

-We were still able to use the covered outhouse near our site.

-Virtually no other campers when we got there, but by Fri/Sat/Sun, RV campers started rolling in.

Of course, this experience was way different from my July visit (3 star rating), but considering the fact that the campground was still open when other campgrounds on Gunflint were not (no outhouse/water/trash), it was great because it was free.

-40ish minute drive from Grand Marais.

-Right by Gunflint Scenic Byway. Try to find some Moose!

Site #26 was huge and that’s where we stayed for the trip. Very secluded and near the trail to the lake. No Loons.