Camping sites near Carlton, Minnesota range from rustic tent areas to full-service campgrounds with options in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The area sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation in the St. Louis River Valley where wooded terrain transitions between northern hardwoods and conifer forests. Camping facilities within a 20-mile radius typically receive 31 inches of annual precipitation with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Explore waterfalls and geological features: Amnicon Falls State Park Campground in South Range, Wisconsin offers direct access to multiple waterfalls within walking distance from campsites. "One of them you cross has a very old bridge that is just gorgeous! It's a wooden bridge with a very unique suspension that crosses over the water that creates Amnicon Falls," notes a visitor who enjoyed the geological formations.
Paddle the St. Louis River: Multiple access points let campers experience the area's primary waterway. Fond du Lac City provides direct river access with convenient boat launching facilities. "The campground has a private boat landing to the St. Louis River," reports one camper, making it a practical option for kayaking and canoeing.
Rock climbing opportunities: The riverside rock formations at Jay Cooke State Park Campground provide natural climbing challenges on sculpted granite. "We clambered around on the sculpted granite rocks that line the river and falls, dipping on and out of pools and up slick rock faces," explains a visitor who found enjoyable climbing areas during low water periods.
What campers like
Private sites with natural separation: Buffalo Valley Camping earns praise for wooded sites that provide actual privacy. "Sites are nice size, with trees. Trees all around," describes a camper who appreciated the natural buffers between camping spaces that create a secluded forest setting.
Walk-in tent sites for secluded camping: Some campgrounds maintain special tent-only areas away from RV sections. "I stayed at Site 16, one of the two walk-in sites... The site was nice, partially shaded with a perfect spot to put up my hammock to read a book," notes a visitor to Amnicon Falls State Park who preferred the walk-in location.
Backpacking options for wilderness experience: Jay Cooke State Park Campground maintains remote backpacking sites that require hiking in with gear. "Such a fun backpack site! The hike in was muddy and buggy as there was quite a bit of rain in the weeks prior to our camping trip. Picnic table, fire ring, and bear locker provided. Site offers great views of a little beaver pond where you may get to see some wildlife," reports a backpacker who stayed at the Lost Lake site.
What you should know
Train noise affects several campgrounds: Multiple campgrounds in the region have railroad tracks nearby with frequent train traffic. "One of the only things that was obnoxious about this park is that there is a frequently used train track nearby- and the trains really lay on whistle. I slept with earplugs in because of this, but I was still woken up around 4 times that night," explains a Jay Cooke visitor.
Variable shower facilities: Spirit Mountain Campground provides shower buildings, but quality and availability differ between campgrounds. "Very clean and organized place... Bathrooms were very clean," notes a camper, though other campgrounds may charge for showers or have limited facilities.
Seasonal road access limitations: Winter camping requires preparation for snow-covered access roads. "Sites tend to fill quickly during summer weekends," particularly at campgrounds with electrical hookups or proximity to water features. Reservation systems typically open 120 days in advance for peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Water play areas for children: Indian Point City Campground offers designated water access points suitable for supervised children. "We have camped here multiple times in a tent and also in our RV. Grounds have a nice mix of RV spots out in the open as well as some RV and tent spots back in the trees," notes a regular visitor.
Recreation amenities: Buffalo Valley Camping maintains play areas specifically for younger campers. "Nice campground with a variety of delicious meals and the best chocolate fudge cake I've ever had," reports one visitor who enjoyed the on-site bar and grill with family-friendly menu options.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Pattison State Park Campground offers structured nature programs during summer weekends. "Wonderful campground with waterfalls and hiking opportunities for families and adventures. Some mosquitoes but that comes with the adventure of being outdoors. Most sites are pretty isolated with foliage and trees," explains a family who visited with children.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Red Pine Campground (formerly Ogston RV Park) offers spacious RV sites but access can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Stayed in back-in campsite #49 which was not shady but level. It was a dirt/gravel site with grass on either side. There was just enough parking for my 34 ft TT and truck," reports an RV camper who noted specific site dimensions.
Limited pull-through availability: Most campgrounds near Carlton feature primarily back-in sites requiring maneuvering skills. "Red Pine is a great private RV park near Duluth, MN. We stayed 2 nights. Most of the sites are not shady. The campground streets are gravel," notes an RV camper, highlighting the surface conditions.
Electrical hookup variations: Knife Island Campground offers electrical service but site layout affects accessibility. "Very unique campground. Be mindful of your rig size and the site you pick. Some sites are going to be difficult for bigger rigs to get into so it may be worth calling ahead for site recommendations from the owner," advises an RV owner who needed to change sites upon arrival.
