Best Campgrounds near Cloquet, MN

Cloquet is about 20 minutes southwest of Duluth with camping that ranges from city parks to state park sites. Cloquet City Park Campground puts you close to town while still having decent sites with basic facilities. The state park has better hiking trails and feels more removed from the city, with spots spread out among the trees. If you're looking for more isolation, several National Forest spots around Cloquet let you camp with fewer neighbors and no reservations. Families tend to gather at Cloquet Recreation Area because kids can switch between the playground and camping without much hassle. County park camping comes with hookups for water and electric, which helps during hot summer days. Many campers spend time fishing or paddling on the St. Louis River, which flows through the area. Summer brings good camping weather, while fall camping means seeing the trees change color. Winter camping exists for the hardy, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear. Most camping areas have regular roads that any car can handle, though winter visits might require checking ahead about snow conditions.

Best Camping Sites Near Cloquet, Minnesota (111)

    1. Jay Cooke State Park Campground

    66 Reviews
    Carlton, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 384-4610

    "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. "

    2. Spirit Mountain Campground

    25 Reviews
    Proctor, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 628-2891

    "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."

    3. Cloquet-Duluth KOA

    9 Reviews
    Carlton, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 879-5726

    "We are KOA members (who stay at a lot of KOAs) - our 1st visit at this Cloquet KOA was Sept 2020:

    The staff were friendly."

    "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."

    4. Buffalo Valley Camping

    10 Reviews
    Esko, MN
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 624-9901

    "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.)"

    5. Knife Island Campground

    7 Reviews
    Esko, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 879-6063

    "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."

    6. Indian Point City Campground

    14 Reviews
    Proctor, MN
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 628-4977

    "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."

    7. Red Pine Campground

    10 Reviews
    Proctor, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 481-9210

    "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."

    8. Fond du Lac City

    9 Reviews
    Wrenshall, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 780-2319

    "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!"

    9. Pattison State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    South Range, WI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 399-3111

    "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"

    10. Spafford City Park

    3 Reviews
    Cloquet, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (218) 879-6758

    "Nice little RV park right in the town of Cloquet. There are a few tent sites right against the river."

    "Wedged between the St Louis River, the highway, and a ceiling tile factory, this campground has four tent sites on the edge of the river with the rest of the campground having full hookup sites for RV’"

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Recent Reviews near Cloquet, MN

483 Reviews of 111 Cloquet Campgrounds


  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Penmarallter Campsite

    Nice campground close to Two Harbors

    The campground owner/hosts were very friendly and helpful during our five night stay. Two Harbors is a good provisioning and jumping off point for exploring the North Shore area south of Grand Marais. Some shade but mostly sunny pull through camp sites worked well in the cool Minnesota evenings. You can save $5 a night if you only need 30-Amp electric and water.

  • Christine H.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    North Country Campground

    Expensive but nice

    Owners 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.

  • Cynthia K.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Burlington Bay Campground

    Good base camp for the area

    Large 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!

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Afterhours Meadow

    Quiet but rough terrain

    Nice little field. Would be great if the groud wasn't all sticks and thorns. Good place to sleep. Not for extended camping

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Carrol Truck Trail

    Secluded! But nothing else

    It'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

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Lakehead Boat Basin

    Close to Canal Park area, great facilities

    I 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.

  • Heather T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Sandy Lake

    Nice place to stay

    This 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.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Grace Lake Road Dispersed

    Very quit night

    Stayed 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

  • Christy E.
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Lucius Woods County Park

    Beautiful Campground

    The 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.


Guide to Cloquet

Camping near Cloquet, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities. Whether you’re into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing by the campfire, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Jay Cooke State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, “The site was nice and secluded but still close to water and bathrooms.”
  • Water Activities: Enjoy the nearby rivers and lakes. A visitor at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground said, “Camped at site #59 which is very close to the lake and along the Gitchi-Gami State Trail.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Banning State Park Campground noted, “We had lots of wildlife visitors.”

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the secluded sites. A review from Jay Cooke State Park Campground highlighted, “The campsite was perfectly good: nice and spacious overlooking the river.”
  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the facilities. A visitor at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground said, “The campsite was clean and well taken care of.”
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews mention helpful park rangers. One camper at Banning State Park Campground remarked, “The Rangers were friendly and accommodating.”

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A camper at Savanna Portage State Park Campground warned, “Mosquitoes are brutal here, especially on the hiking club trail.”
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may have limited facilities. A review from Indian Point City Campground noted, “The bathrooms and showers are showing their age.”
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A visitor at Burlington Bay Campground mentioned, “Very noisy from highway traffic.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Secluded Sites: Look for sites that offer more privacy. A family at Herbster Campground enjoyed their lakeside tent site, saying, “Sites were close but our neighbors never showed so we lucked out.”
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. One camper at Spirit Mountain Campground shared, “The downhill mountain biking is awesome.”
  • Pack Bug Spray: Don’t forget the bug spray to keep the mosquitoes at bay. A camper at Savanna Portage State Park Campground advised, “Come prepared!!!”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review from Banning State Park Campground mentioned, “Some sites (12e) are hard to back a trailer into because the main road is VERY NARROW.”
  • Bring Drinking Water: Some campgrounds have rusty water. A visitor at Banning State Park Campground said, “The water is VERY RUSTY!”
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of nearby attractions. A camper at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground noted, “Hiking trails and walking paths lead to great views of the lake.”

Camping near Cloquet, Minnesota, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available in Cloquet, MN?

Cloquet offers several camping options to suit different preferences. Spafford City Park provides a convenient RV park right in town with tent sites along the river and access to a pedestrian bridge popular with fishermen. It's walking distance to local amenities. For those seeking a more natural setting, Jay Cooke State Park Campground is nearby, offering clean facilities, private sites, and exceptional hiking opportunities. Additional options in the area include Red Pine Campground and the Cloquet-Duluth KOA, providing a range of amenities and experiences for campers visiting the Cloquet region.

Is there camping available along the Cloquet River?

Yes, the Cloquet River offers beautiful camping opportunities. Indian Lake Campground in Cloquet Valley State Forest provides camping along the river system with spectacular views, especially during fall when the northern Minnesota colors are at their peak. The campground features two loops - one primarily for walk-in camping and another that accommodates various site types. Savanna Portage State Park Campground is another option located near the river watershed, situated near four lakes with access to fishing, hiking, biking, and wildlife observation. Loon Lake within the park includes a beach area that's particularly good for families.

What RV camping facilities are available in the Cloquet area?

Cloquet-Duluth KOA offers comprehensive RV facilities with helpful staff who assist with parking and setup. The campground provides full hookups and maintains an on-site store with RV supplies. Another option is Spirit Lake RV and Marina, which features waterfront RV sites that put you right next to the water. While the entrance and facilities could use updating, the prime waterfront location and friendly staff make it appealing for RV campers. Several other RV-friendly campgrounds in the area include Red Pine Campground with full hookups and Buffalo Valley Camping, both accommodating larger rigs with varying levels of amenities.

Are there year-round camping options available near Cloquet?

Year-round camping options near Cloquet are limited due to Minnesota's harsh winters. However, Minnesota National RV Park offers extended season camping, built within a golf course with gravel pads and full hookups (50 amp, water, and sewer). Some campgrounds in the region operate with reduced services during colder months. For reliable winter camping, Spirit Mountain Campground near Proctor maintains some accessibility during winter, particularly for those interested in winter sports. Always call ahead to confirm winter availability, as services and accessibility can change based on weather conditions and seasonal staffing.