Tent camping near Cloquet, Minnesota offers a mix of secluded forest settings and riverfront experiences across both state and county lands. The area sits within Minnesota's North Woods region, with most camping options located between 500-1200 feet elevation. Camping traffic increases significantly during summer weekends, particularly at locations connecting to ATV and hiking trails, making advance planning essential during peak season.
What to do
Explore historic quarry sites: Robinson Park Camping features remnants of a former sandstone quarry that's now a popular rock climbing destination. According to one visitor, "This campground is really great, the main downside is that in order to pay the fee you have to drive to City Hall which is about 2 miles away." The park connects to Banning State Park trails and offers access to Wolf Creek Falls.
Fishing opportunities: Schoen Park provides primitive camping with excellent fishing access. "The reason we like it so much as it's very private and a beautiful view of the river," notes one camper. Sites are non-reservable and suitable for tent camping or small trailers.
ATV trail access: Garfvert in Nemadji State Forest connects to miles of designated off-highway vehicle trails. A camper reports, "Excellent campground if you're into ATV use camping. Offers hundreds of miles of 4 wheeling and snowmobiling. Can't forget dirtbikes and UTV as well."
What campers like
Fishing access: Bear Lake County Park offers tent sites near the water with fishing opportunities. One camper notes, "We enjoyed the fishing, hiking, and canoeing (rental from the park)."
Trail connectivity: Robinson Park Camping provides direct access to hiking trails. "Robinson Park encompasses much of what was once a sandstone quarry and is now a primo rock climbing destination for folks from throughout the Midwest," explains a visitor. The park's trail system connects with Banning State Park.
Waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate sites positioned along rivers and lakes. At Grace Lake Road Dispersed, campers report being "about 20 foot from the water and fishing is good." This free camping area offers multiple dispersed spots with water access.
What you should know
Campground layouts vary: Some established campgrounds feature closer sites while dispersed areas offer more privacy. At Cloquet-Duluth KOA, one camper noted, "Sites are cramped, leaving no illusion of privacy." However, tent areas often have more separation than RV sections.
Reservation systems differ: Many smaller campgrounds operate first-come, first-served. A camper at Garfvert mentioned, "It was hard to find a campsite because it's first-come-first-serve, but we were able to find a spot closer to the trails."
Access considerations: Some sites have challenging access roads. At Grace Lake Road Dispersed, a visitor warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pool amenities: For families wanting structured recreation, the Cloquet-Duluth KOA offers pool facilities. A camper reports, "Everything you need to enjoy a weekend away. Pool, hot tub, WiFi, showers, arcade, laundry, c store, and lots more."
Recreational rentals: Bear Lake County Park provides canoe rentals for family water activities. "We enjoyed the fishing, hiking, and canoeing (rental from the park)," notes a visitor who found the park particularly quiet during fall visits.
State park proximity: Several campgrounds are positioned near state parks with additional family activities. A Robinson Park visitor shared, "This is a county park located on the south border of Banning State Park, and it includes a hiking trail that is contiguous with a state park trail that leads to the scenic Wolf Falls."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many smaller campgrounds can't accommodate larger RVs. At Schoen Park, a camper advised, "Don't try to bring anything too big into here or you will be in trouble. We have a 19' travel trailer and it wasn't a problem but turning around is tight."
Campground layout: At Cloquet-Duluth KOA, RV sites have different characteristics than tent areas. One RVer observed, "Full hookup sites are only out in the open spaces" while "RV and tent spots back in the trees [have] water and electric only sites."
Train noise: Be prepared for occasional train noise at certain campgrounds. A camper at the Cloquet-Duluth KOA mentioned, "Like so many RV/campgrounds this one is also located near to railroad tracks that has several trains that come through day and night."
