Sullivan Lake Campground sits 26 miles from Two Harbors in Finland State Forest, offering 11 rustic sites with lake views. Glamping options near Duluth range from luxury canvas structures to geodesic domes that provide access to outdoor recreation while maintaining modern comforts. Winter glamping accommodations feature climate control systems allowing visitors to enjoy northern Minnesota year-round.
What to do
Hiking at Jay Cooke State Park: The park features moderate family-friendly trails with scenic river views. "Love this park! Well maintained campground with plenty to do. You can bike, run, hike and camp," reports Katie E. at Jay Cooke State Park Campground.
River exploration: Climb on sculpted granite rocks along the St. Louis River when water levels are low. According to Jared S., "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."
Backpacking to remote sites: Access Lost Lake backpacking site for seclusion and wildlife viewing. "Site offers great views of a little beaver pond where you may get to see some wildlife! Site was able to fit 4 backpacking tents, most of which were 2 person size tents, so it is good for a small group," notes Tori K.
What campers like
Secluded waterfront camping: Sullivan Lake Campground provides lakeside sites with privacy. "The lake is absolutely beautiful and some of the sites are so private you could run around naked if you wanted," explains Chandra C. about this Finland State Forest location.
Proximity to Superior Hiking Trail: Mountain biking enthusiasts appreciate trail access from camping areas. "Heavily wooded and beautiful! Very close to Duluth. It is a mountain bikers paradise," shares Michelle P. about Spirit Mountain Campground.
Year-round access: Some campgrounds remain open through winter months for cold-weather recreation. "They are open in winter for sking and snowboarding as well," notes Jordan L., making this area suitable for luxury winter glamping near Duluth.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Jay Cooke, consider space requirements carefully. "The layout of most campsites is kind of tight. If you are camping with multiple tents it might be a good idea to get multiple sites OR just do your research," advises Krista T.
Weather preparedness: Northern Minnesota campgrounds can experience significant temperature drops at night, especially near water. At Fond du Lac City campground, one visitor noted "The campsite was really quaint and fun to be in it was just so wet that it made our stay less enjoyable."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience train traffic. According to one camper, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose campgrounds with recreational facilities for children. "It has all of the amenities, including a fenced in dog area, but the RV sites are close with no privacy. The cabins and tent area looked better," explains Heather V. at Cloquet-Duluth KOA.
Backpack site amenities: Lost Lake backpacking site provides bear lockers and latrines. Lydia N. reports, "Very pretty and secluded! It was pretty buggy and ticks were bad, but that's to be expected. Bog/marsh was beautiful with some wildlife and was generally a very pleasant place to camp. Had a bear box as well which was great!"
Spacing between sites: Research site layouts before booking. "We were pleasantly surprised with the campground when we rented one of their areas. The tent areas are pretty secluded and surrounded by woods with minimal neighbor friends."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many northern Minnesota campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "This is a campground for small campers only. My 16 foot travel trailer was about the limit for size," warns Daniel C. about Sullivan Lake Campground.
Hookup availability: RV sites with full hookups are limited in some areas. At Penmarallter Campsite, "You can save $5 a night if you only need 30-Amp electric and water," notes Grant B.
Pull-through options: Some campgrounds offer pull-through sites suitable for smaller trailers. "Lots of nice pull through sites. Excellent for truck campers," reports Corey O., making setup easier for those with compact camping vehicles.
