Looking for the best campgrounds near Duluth, MN? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Duluth camping trip.
The rugged land formations of Jay Cooke State Park enhance the beauty of the hardwood forests and make for great camping near Minneapolis. The water-eroded gorge, steep valleys, and massive rock formations are seen throughout the park. In some seasons, the water of the St. Louis River thunders over slabs of ancient, exposed rock. At other times, it slows to a gentle trickle. Visitors enjoy the scenic splendor of Jay Cooke State Park during all seasons.
Drive-in Sites 79 Sites: Most are wooded sites. In winter, 12 sites are kept available for winter camping. Of these, five are electric sites.
Pull-Through Sites: One Site
Electric Sites: 21 Sites Majority of sites are 20 and 30 amps, some 50 amp.
RV Length Limit: Variable by site up to 60 Feet Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: 3 Sites Located near drinking water. Two sites are electric, one is non-electric.
Backpack Sites: 4 Sites Sites are located from 1 to 4 miles from parking area. Each site has picnic table, fire ring and latrine. Campers must haul water or treat water on site. Trail access to these sites has been restored after a 2012 flood, but a few nearby trails remain closed. Please register at the park office for details on how to get to these sites.
Walk-in Sites: 4 Sites Sites are located 50 to 150 feet from parking area.
Group Camp: 2 Sites - Each accommodates up to 25 people Remote, wooded camp with walk-in sites approximately 150' from parking area (limited parking). Carts are provided to carry in camping gear. Water spigot and vault toilets available. Tents only. Lodging
Camper Cabins: 5 Cabins All cabins have a screened porch. Electricity and heat are available year-round. Agate and Basalt cabins are ADA accessible and sleep 5. Slate, Gabbro, and Shale Cabins sleep 6 people. Pets not allowed in cabins. More information on camper cabins.
Nestled in a forest on the western high point of Duluth, Minnesota, Spirit Mountain Campground offers walk-in tenting as well as 73 campsites equipped with fire pits, picnic tables, and electricity. Easy access to our award-winning Mountain Bike Trails, our Adventure Park and Superior Hiking Trail.
Thirty-nine sites have water hook-ups, and two shower buildings offer 24-hour convenience.
Spirit Mountain overlooks majestic Lake Superior and the St. Louis Bay. Natural beauty abounds in the area– you can quickly and easily access water, hiking and biking trails and much more. The trailhead for the Superior Hiking Trail is within walking distance of the Campground. And near the Campground, there is an overlook area of Lake Superior, the bay, the St. Louis River, and the Aerial Lift Bridge.
Pattison State Park features the highest waterfalls in Wisconsin and the fourth highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Big Manitou Falls is 165 feet high and Twin Little Manitou Falls is 31 feet high. This 1,400-acre park also has a lake with a beach, a nature center, camping and scenic hiking trails. Pattison State Park has 59 regular (family) campsites, 18 of them with electric hookups and three backpack sites. There is a sanitary dumping station but no sewer or water hookups. Showers and flush toilets are available during the summer. Pattison State Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020.
Campground is open year round. Showers/flush toilets are open May - October
Located at Highway 61 and Park Road, the Burlington Bay Campground has 66 sites with water and electric hook-ups; 36 sites with water, electric and sewer hook-ups; and 34 sites with water, sewer and 50 amp electric hook-ups. In addition, there are 10 primitive tent sites.
$26 - $60 / night
Camping Drive-in Sites46 electric sites in Shipwreck Creek Campground Open seasonally, May - October. Most site parking pads are at least 70 feet long. This park does NOT have a dump station or water fill station!
Wheelchair Accessible SitesFive sites Two sites in the cart-in campground and three sites in the Shipwreck Creek Campground. Sites 110 and 203 have elevated tent pads with a ramp. Site 314 does not have an elevated tent pad, but the entire site is packed, crushed gravel - no grass.
Backpack Sites4 sites These sites range from 1/2 to 2 miles from the campground parking lot. Two of the sites are accessible from Lake Superior for use by kayakers.
Cart-in Sites20 sites These beautiful sites are all within 2,000 feet of the parking lot. Wheeled carts are available to haul gear and supplies to your campsite. These are secluded sites.
Carts are not available in the winter. A backpack or sled is recommended to haul gear during the winter months. Please call park office with questions.
Located just minutes outside of Duluth, just off Hwy 53, Red Pine Campground (formerly Ogstons RV Park) offers something for everyone. We have 100 roomy, full hook-up sites situated around several beautiful water bodies. Our ten new sites will be ready to book starting mid June. Fish for Northern Pike, Bass, Walleye or panfish. Get together with family and friends under the large covered pavillion for a picnic, yard games, or just to relax. Explore the local wilderness on some of our beautiful hiking trails. Our clubhouse offers full bath and shower facilities, coin operated laundry, vending, books, movies, a pool table, and more. Looking for something more rustic? Try one of our brand new tent sites, set back in the peaceful north woods. We are close to Duluth and all it has to offer, but far enough away to remain a quiet north country retreat. And yes, we are pet friendly! Come see us this season. Book your stay today!
The rugged land formations of Jay Cooke State Park enhance the beauty of the hardwood forests and make for great camping near Minneapolis. The water-eroded gorge, steep valleys, and massive rock formations are seen throughout the park. In some seasons, the water of the St. Louis River thunders over slabs of ancient, exposed rock. At other times, it slows to a gentle trickle. Visitors enjoy the scenic splendor of Jay Cooke State Park during all seasons.
Drive-in Sites 79 Sites: Most are wooded sites. In winter, 12 sites are kept available for winter camping. Of these, five are electric sites.
Pull-Through Sites: One Site
Electric Sites: 21 Sites Majority of sites are 20 and 30 amps, some 50 amp.
RV Length Limit: Variable by site up to 60 Feet Length is measured from front of tow vehicle to rear of vehicle being towed.
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: 3 Sites Located near drinking water. Two sites are electric, one is non-electric.
Backpack Sites: 4 Sites Sites are located from 1 to 4 miles from parking area. Each site has picnic table, fire ring and latrine. Campers must haul water or treat water on site. Trail access to these sites has been restored after a 2012 flood, but a few nearby trails remain closed. Please register at the park office for details on how to get to these sites.
Walk-in Sites: 4 Sites Sites are located 50 to 150 feet from parking area.
Group Camp: 2 Sites - Each accommodates up to 25 people Remote, wooded camp with walk-in sites approximately 150' from parking area (limited parking). Carts are provided to carry in camping gear. Water spigot and vault toilets available. Tents only. Lodging
Camper Cabins: 5 Cabins All cabins have a screened porch. Electricity and heat are available year-round. Agate and Basalt cabins are ADA accessible and sleep 5. Slate, Gabbro, and Shale Cabins sleep 6 people. Pets not allowed in cabins. More information on camper cabins.
Nestled in a forest on the western high point of Duluth, Minnesota, Spirit Mountain Campground offers walk-in tenting as well as 73 campsites equipped with fire pits, picnic tables, and electricity. Easy access to our award-winning Mountain Bike Trails, our Adventure Park and Superior Hiking Trail.
Thirty-nine sites have water hook-ups, and two shower buildings offer 24-hour convenience.
Spirit Mountain overlooks majestic Lake Superior and the St. Louis Bay. Natural beauty abounds in the area– you can quickly and easily access water, hiking and biking trails and much more. The trailhead for the Superior Hiking Trail is within walking distance of the Campground. And near the Campground, there is an overlook area of Lake Superior, the bay, the St. Louis River, and the Aerial Lift Bridge.
Pattison State Park features the highest waterfalls in Wisconsin and the fourth highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Big Manitou Falls is 165 feet high and Twin Little Manitou Falls is 31 feet high. This 1,400-acre park also has a lake with a beach, a nature center, camping and scenic hiking trails. Pattison State Park has 59 regular (family) campsites, 18 of them with electric hookups and three backpack sites. There is a sanitary dumping station but no sewer or water hookups. Showers and flush toilets are available during the summer. Pattison State Park is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020.
Campground is open year round. Showers/flush toilets are open May - October
Located at Highway 61 and Park Road, the Burlington Bay Campground has 66 sites with water and electric hook-ups; 36 sites with water, electric and sewer hook-ups; and 34 sites with water, sewer and 50 amp electric hook-ups. In addition, there are 10 primitive tent sites.
$26 - $60 / night
Very well laid out campground with large sites. Unbelievable AGATE MUSEUM at the main entrance. Men’s bathroom was very clean and showers worked great. Nice well groomed trails, well maintained campsites and campgrounds. Tall pines trail is beautiful, not real long. Nice picnic area on the trail across the blacktop road.
We loved this campground! We didn’t have a long enough hose for the water hookup, so Darrel (the manager) brought one out immediately and we could keep it all night. All the staff was so nice and welcoming. Campground was so clean and nice trails to walk around. The bar & grill had great food and service. 10/10!
I 100% agree with Legend Laura about the price of this campground. If it was simply about the location, this would get five plus stars because it's so beautiful! But if you're from out of state, the prices are even more expensive than she indicated previously, so they must have updated them.
The campsite itself is only $16 which is a bargain! But, if you are out of state like we are, there's also a $15 charge for that. And then, that doesn't include admission to the area, so you pay $11 and change for that. It ended up being about $50 total. That said, we paid it and fully enjoyed it but not sure we would do it again unless we had a Wisconsin sticker. At least to alleviate the $11 charge to get in.
All of that out of the way, the site itself is absolutely gorgeous. This park has lots of very mature trees and lots of very mature pine trees, making it very quiet. The spaces are quite distant from one another and we didn't hear our neighbors at all. We were at one of the walk-in campsites which I chose on purpose because it was literally on top of the river, we could sit by the river and wade our toes if we wanted to. It had a fire ring, a very short walk to the bathroom, and only a short distance to the car from the site. Maybe 100 ft plus about 30 stairs to get up to the parking level.
The walk-in sites also double as canoe campsites, so the river is something you can paddle if the water is sufficient to do so. There is a beautiful little picnic area near the bathrooms that sits on the river as well. Vault toilets seemed as clean as they could be, and they are a little fancier than your single vaults. They have stalls and toilet paper!
I highly recommend if you live in Wisconsin visiting this site as it wouldn't cost much at all. Out of towners, it's a bit more pricey.
This campground is extremely clean and charming ! Has everything ! Private.
We have camped there a few times and love the accessibility to Mtn. Bike Trails and bicycle riding on the Gitche Gami State aBike Trail. Close to world class hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail and a few nice easier hikes right in the park.
Love it clean and quiet affordable and has extra entertainment and events staff is extremely helpful and nice
We only stayed one night & I wish we could’ve stayed longer, super nice campground right on Lake Superior. We stayed in the wooded sites & those were nice & secluded
Overall a very nice camp for a 4 day. Roads are tight for 30+ rigs. Very rutted. Having a ground guide for the tight parking is a must. Reviews dont mention the 4am horn blowing train. Great time had here.
Site with fire pit (no grate), nice picnic table, and the amazing sound of waves. By late August, direct views of lake is obscured by beach grass but still just as delightful. Sites were close but our neighbors never showed so we lucked out. I loved that as a tent camper, we were placed further away from the RVs and the noises that can go with them. Site 6 was close to the path for all in the rest of the campground to get to the beacb. Nicely tended bathrooms just across the road with showers.
Wind gusts took our 8 person tent down while we were out during the day. Since it was my first time here, no idea of that kind of wind is typical or if it was the season or day.
The sunsets were unbeatable!! And we lucked out catching the northern lights our first night.
Shipwreck Creek Campground is a great new(er) addition to the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. All of the sites are large and spacious with interesting rock features and vegetation that adds to the privacy. Facilities are clean and well maintained. All sites are nice, but the loop with the “300’s” sites are the most spacious and interesting.
The shower house is a lengthy walk; not a problem but consider driving up to it if you have little with. Clean vault toilets throughout the campground are convenient.
Only bummer is the lack of dump/fill station onsite; park website directs you to fill prior to arrival at the Silver Bay city/municipal shop.
The camp site was big enough for our car and our 6 person tent. The office had weird opening ours. I would recommend getting ice and wood at the nearby gas station. Overall a quiet campground. Was a pleasant experience
Loved the view. We had a lakeside tent site. Campsites aren’t that spread out. We had a good amount of space but we could easily hear the neighbors and was annoying late at night. There are some outhouses and ADA restrooms/showers. We were 15 minutes from Meyer’s Beach, which was great. Lakeside tent sites are right by the beach. Beach was rocky - bring a pair of crocs or similar shoe if you’re sensitive to the rocks and branches in the sand. Water was cool and felt great!
This area is definitely off the beaten path. Super skinny road with lots of rocks/hills and puddles coming in. I would recommend a car with 4WD for it and would not suggest pulling a camper unless you have experience bringing it over rough terrain. The sites themselves appeared to not be visited often. I went in early August and a lot of the places were over grown with plants! It was nice to be right by the north shore but in a spot that felt very much secluded. There was also no bugs here which was amazing! Great spot to hang out by a campfire without getting swarmed. You’ll be able to find plenty of wood from the nearby trees for a fire as well.
The campsite was perfectly good: nice and spacious over looking the river. It is well off the main hiking trail and quite private. The view of the river is heavily obstructed and there really is no easy and safe way down the cliff to the river. Still it is nice to hear the river. You need to bring on drinking water, otherwise you need to go about 1/8 of a mile to a small creek to get filterable water.
The hike in is easy, but once you are off the main trail (the first mile) the trail is grass—be prepared for lots of ticks.
The campsite was clean and well taken care of. My daughter and I tented it. It was so much fun! Just enough privacy to get a “real” camping experience, but not so private that we felt unsafe. It was so nice to not worry about bears!
We found this amazing picnic and hiking trail super close to the campgrounds in Gooseberry.
We will be back soon!
Lovely sites with plenty of trees so most sites are quite private. Mosquitoes are brutal here, especially on the hiking club trail and to a somewhat lesser degree in the campground. We were thankful to have a screen tent for this visit. No Verizon cell service at the campground. Surprisingly good cell service at the Loon Lake area of the park, which also has a beautiful short hike!
A last-minute change in our travel plans found us in the Lake Superior area with no camping reservations. We secured a tent site (T-1) here and were quite pleased. The site was private and level, and close to a shower area and laundry, both of which we sorely needed. As an added plus, the restaurant offered an opportunity for a hearty meal and drinks. The pizza here was great, as were the cheese curds, and the hospitality was wonderful. The owner gave us good advice on a drive up the North Shore of Superior.
If we found ourselves in the area again, we'd return here for sure.
Golden
Best pizza in the county. On a beautiful lake for some fishing or just a relaxing cruise.
Very nice campground for the family. Sort of has a mix of rustic and not rustic camping. Has a lovely beach just a few steps away from campsites. The fishing peer is more like a look out as it’s not in the water and even 20’ out from it it’s pretty shallow yet. Other than that it’s a nice camp ground.
Been a long time user of Sullivan lake campground. Love the rusticity of it and the quietness of it. So quit you can feel the grouse Drumming’s deep within your soul. Highly recommend.
The only drawback for us is the 6 hour drive! Huge, wonderful pull thru sites. Wooded for privacy. Easy access to bath and shower rooms from most anywhere. Lots of places to fill water bottles, too. Highly recommend and one of the smartest laid out campgrounds we’ve seen.
As a tent camper, i prefer quiet and private sights. The circle this site was part of, was just that. The walk to the updated bathrooms (with showers) is pretty pretty. It was buggy (mosquitoes) but fire and bug spray kept it manageable. The pit toilet next to site 18 had an occasional waft of smell but nothing too lingering or bad.
The site was nice a secluded but still close to water and bathrooms. The downside to this specific site is that it is close to the group camp so it was pretty noisy.
Easy to access, trails are all obvious, and near a water supply. We decided to go off the cuff, and the only thing we weren’t ready for was the damn mosquitos! Will be bringing repellent next time. BEAUTIFUL SPOT.
Camped at site #34 on Oct 24, 2023. Camping is permitted from May 1-November 30. Electricity and all water systems, including shower buildings and flush toilets, were still turned on during our visit, even though the campground begins winterizing in mid-October. This county campground and its facilities are very well maintained & clean. We were able to reserve and pay online for our a site on the evening of our arrival. Did not come across a campground host. This is a large, wooded campground, and we were the only campers here. Our site had a nice view of Cranberry Lake; there was a deck behind our site. Our site was large with a dirt surface with electricity; not level, but doable in our van. Had a peaceful night. Two tables and a metal fire ring were at our site. I bet this campground is busy during the summer. I would camp here again. Pretty cool place!
Camped here on Oct 23-24, 2023. Attempted to camp here 2 years before, in Sept 2021, but the campground was crowded and booked. But there were plenty of sites available during our stay this past October. Camped at site #59 which is very close to the lake and along the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. The campsite was small; included a table and fire ring. Wooded, but close to other sites. Short path in front of the site leads to the lake. Clean vault toilet was a short walk down the campground road. The campground was nice but nothing special. The state park, however, is fantastic. Hiking trails and walking paths lead to great views of the lake and Gooseberry River. There were a few park benches along lake, which provided a great view of the lake during my morning coffee break. Water and restrooms/showers in the campground were shut down for the winter season (flush toilets were available if you drive up to the visitor center). Firewood was not for sale during our visit. I would love to camp here again but during the off-season when it is less crowded.
Camping near Duluth, 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 in Duluth, MN, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the bugs and noise, and you'll have a great time!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Duluth, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Duluth, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 101 campgrounds and RV parks near Duluth, MN and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Duluth, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Duluth, MN is Jay Cooke State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 64 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Duluth, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Duluth, MN.
What parks are near Duluth, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 parks near Duluth, MN that allow camping, notably Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.
