Join the fun near Carlton. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Carlton campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Carlton, MN. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
"Jay Cooke is really a must experience state park within easy driving distance to other parks in Minnesota and Wisconsin."
"North east Minnesota has some very beautiful country. Highly recommend this spot. "
"The downhill mountain biking is awesome (the kids still want to go back) and the Adventure Park was a lot of fun too - and a short walk from camp. "
"We were pleasantly surprised with the campground when we rented one of their walk-in areas. The tent areas are pretty secluded and surrounded by woods with minimal neighbor friends."
"The hike-in sites are great, not too far to walk but you have privacy. One thing to note about the hike-in sites is that the trails aren't well marked."
"Heavy storm and food damaged washed out the main freeway to the park, destroyed the river side trails from Little Manitou to Big Manitou falls and shut down the public beach and campgrounds for some time"
"Campground was so clean and nice trails to walk around. The bar & grill had great food and service. 10/10!"
"Close to downtown Duluth (10 mins.)"
"Nice campground...a little rural but close to town. Helpful staff, decent size sites and hookups. Pool area was nice but busy on our stay. Great family camping."
"The camp is close to Duluth but still far enough away to get you completely out of the city and, while exploring, we came across Jay Cook State Park (only about 15 min away) which is beautiful!!"
"You are so close to the downtown area in this hidden cove. There are walking/biking trails around the grounds. There are few mosquitos and the staff is very friendly."
"Near city and bike path. Quiet and friendly folks."
"Great place.Plenty to do.People that work there are freindly and helpful.Great mountain bike trails across the road,and hiking trails only right down the road about 6 blocks.Lots of Canoe and kayak rentals.Bath"
"-kind campground hosts with quiet but well-used atvs
-easy lake access with docks and shoreline
-free wifi
-this is a good day-of campsite if you’re looking for an adventure or a fun story to tell!"
"The campground has an island you can take a wooden bridge over too that offers some fishing spots and a nice little walking trail. Fire ring and picnic table provided. "
"Kayaking trips are great but sometimes finding a wilderness place to stay and keep yourself submerged, away from civilization can be tricky when traveling."
"We were traveling with friends and the staff (owners I believe) made it work out for us to have sites next to each other.
Park felt well cared for and attended too."
"It’s next to Duluth and looks like a city park. Many permanent residents. Very clean and comfortable. I’d stay again if I’m in the area. Now we’re driving north to find a moose."
"The campsites are fairly close together and the highway can be heard, but they are tucked away from the main attraction a decent bit. However, you can easily hike to the trails and falls easily."
"Enjoy a short walk from the camping sites to the water and hiking trails. Bring your camera for sure! Don’t miss this Northern Wisconsin park just Southeast of Duluth Minnesota."
ScoutOwners are very nice, greet you upon arrival, very helpful. Bathroom/shower is very nice. Trampoline & playground on site. Close to the highway so a lot of traffic noise until about midnight. People fly down the road even though the speed limit is 20mph. 3 minutes from Willow River, 45 minutes to Cloquet & Pine City.
LegendLarge campground run by the city of Two Harbors.
It has 4 areas of RV camping & 12 primitive tent sites.
The tent sites by the David Dill area were shady with trees Willow is near the dump station.
Burlington sites 1-66 have water & electric. There's a row that has lakeside camping. The sites are mostly sunny with some shade. All are close together. There is a lake view. Apparently there's a path with lake access, but not sure which site this was by.
The playground is here. Dumpster, dump station & restrooms with showers.
Agate sites are 67-91. is a loop with full hookup. 73-75, 77, 79,81-84, have beautiful views of the lake, but difficult lake access. Most of this loop is full sun& very close together sites.
We were at site 70 & at first I was bummed out not having a lake view. This is my own fault for dithering about what campground I wanted. I was lucky- this was the last site for my dates. I have later found out that someone must have cancelled for this site & I was lucky enough to get it. Reservations fill up quick a year in advance.
This site is narrow, but shady. There's foliage to the left separating it from Site 72 (which has a partial lake view) & the back separating it from the Burlington sites. There was a white tail doe walking thru it the first day we were there.
Sites 67/68 & 70 are close. Our fire pit was only a few feet from site 68's. There's more shade here though.
Site 69 is somewhat secluded & has shade & easy access to the bathroom.
The site across from us was a long site parallel to the road. It was empty the 2 nights we were here.
Sites 92 to 102 are a little down the road in rows on both sides of the road. Again close together. Full hookup. Just a few feet away from Hwy 61.
David Dill sites are 1B to 34B These are full hookup sites terraced on a hill. Big rig friendly. There's a bathhouse by the visitor center for David Dill & the tenters.
Very close together & sunny. They have a pretty good view of the beach & lake.
24B to 34B have the best being lowest on the hill. There's a road- then a rocky beach.
All parts of this campground were full on a Friday/Saturday night. The office has a small gift shop. Open 8am to 8pm during the season. Check in's at noon- which is great! Check out at 11am.
We did see police patrol occasionally. Hwy 61 is only a few feet away & is VERY loud. There's no Jake brake ordinance for Two Harbors & the truckers are always doing it.
This is a busy town!
GuideNice little field. Would be great if the groud wasn't all sticks and thorns. Good place to sleep. Not for extended camping
GuideIt's a fine place to go to get away from everything. No reason to drive all the way out unless you're trying to camp. There are 3 campsites at the end of the road where the GPS takes you. There are a few other pull offs along the way. I'm guessing all the forest roads around here have sites so even if this one is occupied, there are others close.
BRING BUG SPRAY! the mosquitoes are no joke
RangerI enjoyed my urban camping experience at this "campground". You get a double-width parking spot, which is room enough for a trailer and tow vehicle. Each site has a picnic table. There are two groups of sites, the front row and the back row. The front row has better views, and have electric and water hookups. The back row has full hookups.
The bathroom and shower is part of a hotel which is on the property, and were extremely clean. There are laundry facilities, which worked great and only cost $3 each.
The owners are friendly and will enforce quiet hours if asked.
I had excellent 5G Verizon and T-mobile signals here.
The main selling point of this campground is the close proximity to the Canal Park area, which has restaurants and shops, as well as the Lakewalk which is a wide, well kept trail that runs along the lake. It's about a 15 minute walk to the Canal Park area. You'll need to cross the lift bridge to get there, which is fun in itself but sometimes you'll need to wait for the bridge to return to operation after letting a ship pass underneath.
There is a great marine museum in the Canal Park area, and the Great Lakes Aquarium is about 15 minutes further past Canal Park. Downtown is also accessible, probably a 20 minute walk from Canal Park. There are many ramps & stairs linking the Lakewalk to Downtown.
The urban trails around this area are really great. Plenty of room for walkers and bicyclists.
ScoutThis campground has 2 parts, the north section and the south section. The south is on a peninsula with just a few campsites. The north is the bigger part of the campground. The sites in the north are large and very well kept, each with a picnic table, fire ring and level sights. Two campground hosts who are very friendly and accommodating. Just a few vault toilets. If there's anywhere to improve, it is the number of toilets in the bigger campground. The south campground has the shower house and laundry, along with flush toilets. All in all, a very nice place to stay.
ScoutStayed a night here on our way up to the boundary waters gate is very narrow had to fold the mirrors on my Tacoma to squeeze through but if you park at the entrance it’s a short walk You’re about 20 foot from the water and fishing is good
ScoutThe site we had was difficult to back our 32’ camper into. The bathrooms and showers are very clean. A swimming beach, hiking trails and playground are available. Entertainment is available on Saturday nights but we are not staying on a Saturday night. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful.
GuideBoondocking great spot! Drive back in to open field.
Camping near Carlton, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Carlton, Minnesota, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds near Carlton, Minnesota?
Carlton, Minnesota is surrounded by excellent camping options. Jay Cooke State Park Campground is just minutes from Carlton, offering beautiful sites with amazing hiking trails and water features. For RV travelers, Red Pine Campground provides full hookups with gravel sites that accommodate larger rigs. Other nearby options include Spirit Lake RV and Marina for waterfront camping, the Cloquet-Duluth KOA for family-friendly amenities, and Amnicon Falls State Park Campground just across the Wisconsin border. If you're willing to drive a bit further, Indian Lake Campground in Cloquet Valley State Forest and Savanna Portage State Park offer more secluded nature experiences within 30-45 minutes of Carlton.
What amenities are available at Carlton, MN campgrounds?
Campgrounds near Carlton offer a range of amenities to suit different camping styles. Minnesota National RV Park provides 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer hookups, all situated on a golf course. Spirit Lake RV and Marina offers waterfront RV sites with direct water access. Many state park campgrounds in the area feature clean restrooms, showers, hiking trails, and water access. The Cloquet-Duluth KOA includes a playground for children, while Savanna Portage State Park Campground provides access to four lakes with fishing opportunities, hiking and biking trails, and beach areas. Most campgrounds offer fire rings and picnic tables, with many providing firewood for purchase on-site.
When is the best season for camping in Carlton, Minnesota?
The prime camping season in Carlton runs from late May through early October. Summer (June-August) offers warm days perfect for water activities and hiking at Savanna Portage State Park Campground. Fall is particularly spectacular, with Indian Lake Campground offering outstanding views of northern Minnesota's fall colors, typically peaking in late September to early October. Spring camping (May-early June) can be beautiful but prepare for cooler temperatures and potentially muddy conditions. Winter camping is available at select sites for hardy adventurers but requires proper cold-weather gear. Many campgrounds in the region are seasonal, closing from late October through April due to harsh Minnesota winters.
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