Jay Cooke State Park offers multiple backcountry camping options with Lost Lake backpacking site providing secluded wilderness camping near Cloquet, Minnesota. The site includes a bear box for food storage and sits alongside a small beaver pond where visitors can observe wildlife. Tent camping areas at Jay Cooke feature varying levels of privacy, with some sites closely spaced during peak season and others offering more seclusion in wooded settings.
What to do
Hiking trails with varying difficulty: Jay Cooke State Park provides trails suitable for all skill levels, from family-friendly paths to more challenging routes. "Awesome views from the Swingbridge. Make sure you do some climbing on the craggy rocks near the river!" notes Joshua W. about Jay Cooke State Park Campground.
Mountain biking at Spirit Mountain: The trails at Spirit Mountain offer excellent terrain for biking enthusiasts staying near Cloquet. "Heavily wooded and beautiful! Very close to Duluth. It is a mountain bikers paradise. Loved it!" shares Michelle P. about Spirit Mountain Campground.
Canoeing and kayaking: The St. Louis River provides water recreation opportunities for paddlers. According to Crosby W. at Fond du Lac City, "Great place. Plenty to do. Great mountain bike trails across the road, and hiking trails only right down the road about 6 blocks. Lots of Canoe and kayak rentals."
Fishing opportunities: The rivers around Cloquet offer good fishing spots, particularly for trout enthusiasts. Several campgrounds provide direct water access. The area features multiple fishing locations within walking distance of campsites.
What campers like
Secluded backpacking sites: The Lost Lake backpacking site at Jay Cooke provides a more remote camping experience. "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," reports Tori K. about Jay Cooke State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathroom and shower facilities. At Banning RV Park and Campground, Crystal W. notes, "Our site was a fairly level pull through, full hook up site. The office had a camp store inside of it. Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were very clean."
River views: Camping sites along the St. Louis River offer scenic water views. "We had a nice site on the corner, very close to the river to drop in our kayaks, clean bathrooms and showers," says Laurie K. about her stay at Fond du Lac City campground.
Wooded settings: Many campsites feature ample tree cover, providing shade and natural surroundings. "The campground was small but luckily we were there in the middle of the week so it wasn't too busy," mentions Jules L. about Boise Brule Campground.