Erin F.
Guide
GuideSpirit Mountain Campground
Great Basecamp
Mountain bikers and hikers will love this beautiful treed campground. Level sites that are spread out enough to offer some privacy. Bath house was old, but adequate.
Glamping near Wrenshall, MN
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Jay Cooke State Park Campground features rustic glamping options with camping cabins set within wooded surroundings near Wrenshall, Minnesota. The cabins provide a comfortable wilderness experience while maintaining proximity to hiking trails and the spectacular St. Louis River gorge. Spirit Mountain Campground and Fond du Lac City also offer glamping accommodations, with sites nestled among tall trees providing privacy and shade. Glamping guests enjoy amenities including electricity and water hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, while staying in structures that blend modern comfort with natural surroundings. The glamping sites feature screened-in porches, providing shelter during inclement weather while still allowing visitors to enjoy the outdoors. One visitor noted, "We came with our extended family and while they did tent camping we stayed in a camping cabin. The cabins were great! This park offered some fun hikes."
The surrounding area boasts extensive recreation opportunities with over 50 miles of hiking trails, including sections of the North Country National Scenic Trail. Glamping visitors can explore the famous swinging bridge that spans the St. Louis River, providing dramatic views of the rocky gorge and rapids below. Each glamping location offers proximity to water activities, with options for kayaking, fishing, and wading in the river. Winter visitors can access over 30 miles of cross-country ski trails. The park's naturalist programs include nature walks, evening campfire talks, and geocaching adventures. According to a camper, "Our family was in Gabbro and their family was in Shale. The two cabins were separated by 20 feet of forest connected by a footpath through the trees. The parents were pretty happy to have the screened in porches for listening to the rain and playing several rounds of Mad Libs."
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Wrenshall (19)
1. Jay Cooke State Park Campground
"I stayed at two sites, the second being 41E, which has electric."
"Another oddity is that some fire pits are on the opposite side of your doors, but no biggie. The bathrooms are wonderfully new and central to all the camping loops."
47 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $23 - $90 / night
2. Spirit Mountain Campground
"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. "
"Nice Campsites mostly secluded in the woods. Campsites are not to close to eachother giving you the privacy you want. Great views by the ski lift of Duluth!"
3. Cloquet-Duluth KOA
"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. Fond du Lac City
"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!"
5. Big Lake Shores & The Lounge
"Refrigerator, microwave, queen bed along side a bunk; double on the bottom bunk and a twin up top. The neighborhood is welcoming."
6. Nemadji Mobile Home and RV Park
7. Northland Camping & RV Park
8. Willow River Campground — General C.C. Andrews State Forest
"Kind of off the beaten path. You have to take the Willow River exit and go through the town a little bit. There's a small sign next to the Squirrel Cage restaurant and bar."
"There were mosquitoes a plenty due to the lake. Good spacing between sites and wooded enough to almost forget how close you are to i35."
1 Site AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $50 / night
9. Banning RV Park and Campground
"If you are planning to explore the Kettle River and Banning State Park nearby, this is a good alternative to camping within the State Park itself."
"Staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were very clean. The fenced in dog park was a big bonus for our pup. The grounds hosted outdoor games and volleyball/basketball courts."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $60 / night
10. Bois Brule Campground — Brule River State Forest
"If it was simply about the location, this would get five plus stars because it's so beautiful!"
"Cost for non-residents is $21 for the campsite and another $11 daily state park entrance fee. So, $32 for the same type of campground as a USFS at about $15."
22 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 / night
Drive Time
- 23 min from Duluth, MN
- 1 hr 56 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 10 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 2 hrs 31 min from Eau Claire, WI
Recent Glamping Photos near Wrenshall, MN
14 Photos of 19 Wrenshall Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Wrenshall, MN
183 Reviews of 19 Wrenshall Campgrounds
- TTanya L.
TravelerJay Cooke State Park Campground
Crowded but lovely stop
A weekend in October...peak color but the campground is crowded and pretty noisy up until 8 pm ish when it does quiet down a bit. Would stay again, just when it's less crowded.
- MMelissa S.
ScoutPardun’s Jack Pine Campground
This is for Pardun’s Tube Rental. Don't give this man your business!
If I could give this company negative stars I would. I would never recommend this company to even my worst enemy. This was our second experience with them. The first time took a long time but we knew it wasn’t their fault because the river was low and that’s out of their control. Our tubes were also good. The owner’s dad(Jerry?) picked us up and was so nice and sweet. We laughed at all our hiccups along the way.
This time around, it was just my friend and I and we were having a wonderful time for the first 2.5-3 hours. Then we realized we weren’t moving and the wind was blowing us upstream. We kept trying to go, waiting to see the landing. By the 5 hour mark we kept trying to call Pardun’s to mention that we were trying to come back and to let them know that we’d probably be later than expected and to see if they had any tips. Since the cell service is almost non existent, the calls would not go through. By that time, we didn’t know what to else to do but call 911. By the time we were able to get a hold of someone to ask for help, we were nearing 6 hours on the river. They called Pardun’s to let them know and the owner(Guy?) and his son were waiting to pick us up. As soon as they saw us, the snarky disrespectful remarks started and they began making fun of us. The owner was relentless. It was one rude remark after another. This was at about 9pm. When I started crying and asking him to stop talking to me, the a-hole dug in even more and had to get the last word in. It kept on until I screamed at him to shut the F up. I couldn’t take it anymore. He then stopped and started trying to kick us off the bus. I was sitting in the seat, sobbing while my friend was nicely asking him to just please go and please stop with the comments. He wouldn’t. Once we got back to Danbury, he stopped the bus and walked away. His son helped us get our stuff out and his wife eventually came out to make sure that we had our keys and let us know she had called the other people involved to let them know we were back. The son was initially being kind of a jerk when we got on the bus but he apologized to us soon after. His waste of a human father didn’t.
Please do not give this man your business. I have never been so humiliated and made to feel as awful as he made me feel. The blatant disrespect and language from the minute he saw was unbelievable. This man is the most awful human I have ever encountered. I sure hope he treats his wife and his mother with a little more compassion and empathy.
- AAnita L.Guide
Spirit Mountain Campground
Spirit Mountain Campground
Private sites, W/E, Close to downtown Duluth. Our site was just big enough for our 38' 5th wheel with slides on both sides. They delivered wood which was $9 for 5 pieces. RR and showers close to this site. Toilets fairly new, but showers paint peeling and could use remodeling.
- JJeremy J.Scout
Old Logging Trail Campground — St. Croix State Park
Nice campground, but…
The campground is nice and has more woods/bushes and more privacy than the other two campgrounds in the park. The bathroom/showers were relatively clean and functioned well with nice hot showers. The electric sites functioned as expected but, they all seem very well used. Not much in the way of grass (bit of a drought at the time) and lots of little bits of garbage all over our campsite. All the electrical sites were occupied while we were there and a lot of the other sites near the modern bathroom were occupied. If you want privacy and a less worn campsite I would suggest booking a non-electrical site further away from modern bathroom. Oh, another plus water from spigots around campground was good.
Cari E.
RangerSpirit Mountain Campground
Convenient when the SP are booked
If you’re hopping between state parks in the north shore area and need something near Duluth, this campground is a solid option if there’s nothing else available. Time has not been overly friendly and the park and campground are somewhat run down, but there are still upsides. It’s close to local stores and the sites are shaded and actually quite lovely, but beware that MANY of the sites on the far west loop (45-70) will not be level. Most also do not have a dedicated space for a tent, but there is usually ample space on the gravel drives (bring extra padding). This loop is also not ideal for larger RVs. Verizon cell service was manageable and if you scout the site images online, you can find spots with northern-facing openings in the trees for Starlink if needed. Water spigots in this loop are also well placed and the water was quite chilly. Now for the ugly…the bathrooms in this loop are serviceable, but if you touch the wall or floor while showering, you might want to star over. If you forgot your shower shoes, you won’t be showering. Older bath houses are acceptable, but this one was plain filthy beyond simple age.
- Cari E.Ranger
Jay Cooke State Park Campground
Everything is convenient
I stayed at two sites, the second being 41E, which has electric. This loop is perhaps the most central to the bath house, but all are conveniently located nearby and the dump station isn’t too far (but far enough to stay out of sight, out of mind). The bath house is fully handicap friendly and the shower heads can all the raised and lowered, and there are wheelchair ramps up to the facility. The dirt roads are miraculously pothole free and the drinking water spigots are blissfully cold if you’re here during a heatwave. Site 41E, like quite a few actually, has the fire pit behind/on the wrong side of your rv door, but no biggie. The biggest downside is that the site is rather unlevel, but if you are able to scoot all the way to the right (closest to the electrical tower), it’s not so bad. The bridge/park office/store is a quick 7 min walk, and the bath house is less than a 2 min walk.
When I was staying, we were hit with hazardous levels of wildfire smoke, and I was so impressed that the park staff opened visitor’s center early so that campers would have a place to escape the smoke. I’ve never stayed at any park where the staff goes so far above and beyond.
- Cari E.Ranger
Jay Cooke State Park Campground
Woodsy Perfection
Every site is nestled into the woods, which is cozy and adds the added benefit of privacy. That said, the extra big rigs wouldn’t be a good fit—one loop only allows for rigs under 25’ in length due to a tight corner. Another oddity is that some fire pits are on the opposite side of your doors, but no biggie.
The bathrooms are wonderfully new and central to all the camping loops. There are men’s and women’s sides for toilets/sinks and independent shower rooms—all handicap friendly. The park really outdid themselves here, even the building is beautifully designed.
Firewood is for sale at the camp office along with your typical camping goods and souvenirs, and the park staff is wonderful to interact with. There are black bears, but no bear boxes, so be smart with your food. I had 1-2 bars of LTE on Verizon, and if you need Starlink access, try to find a site that runs north/south more than east/west because there are obviously trees everywhere.
Site 5 is near a small dumpster, which turned out to be rather convenient—there is a line of trees/brush for privacy, so don’t let that stop you. There is also an ice cold water spigot behind the site, which was even better—again, trees/brush for privacy. Mostly level, with just the smallest tilt toward the fire pit. 2 minute walk to the bathrooms, conveniently located near a walking path to the park office/bridge.
- Stina M.Guide
Paint Rock Springs Campground — St. Croix State Park
Lots for kids to do, big place
Was a nice place. I didn’t see any truly private sites. All are stacked on top of each others. I didn’t look around too much, it was just a quick overnight stop.
Guide to Wrenshall
Jay Cooke State Park Campground offers camping cabins and glamping options near Wrenshall, Minnesota, positioned within the St. Louis River watershed at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. The park sits at the edge of the northern hardwood forest region where visitors can experience both dense woodland and rocky river gorges. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer days typically range from 70-85°F with moderate humidity.
What to do
Backpacking adventures: Lost Lake backpacking site in Jay Cooke State Park Campground provides a secluded camping experience for more adventurous glampers. A camper noted, "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."
River exploration: At Fond du Lac City, visitors can access the St. Louis River directly. One camper shared, "Great place. Plenty to do. People that work there are friendly 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."
Winter activities: Beyond cross-country skiing, glamping close to Wrenshall, Minnesota provides access to Spirit Mountain's winter sports. A visitor mentioned, "Stopped in to check this out everyone said you have to go and do alpine slide as well. Park was nice and clean and staff was very friendly. And they are open in winter for skiing and snowboarding as well!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many glamping locations near Wrenshall feature well-spaced sites with natural buffers. At Spirit Mountain Campground, a camper observed, "Nice Campsites mostly secluded in the woods. Campsites are not too close to each other giving you the privacy you want."
River access: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. One visitor at Fond du Lac City appreciated that "We had a nice site on the corner, very close to the river to drop in our kayaks, clean bathrooms and showers. $5 bundles of self-serve firewood."
Natural surroundings: The mature forest setting creates a sense of seclusion even at developed sites. A camper at Willow River shared, "Kind of off the beaten path. You have to take the Willow River exit and go through the town a little bit. There's a small sign next to the Squirrel Cage restaurant and bar. Usually hardly anyone is here."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds in the area experience train traffic. A visitor to Jay Cooke State Park Campground mentioned, "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. I slept with earplugs in because of this, but I was still woken up around 4 times that night."
Insect conditions: Bug activity varies by season and location. At Boise Brule Campground, a camper warned, "The biggest issue however was ticks. Been an outdoor person my whole life and more ticks than I've ever seen before. Pulling 10 or more off an hour."
Reservation requirements: Some sites require advance planning while others operate first-come, first-served. A visitor to Willow River noted, "Been here a few times throughout the year and it's typically less crowded. Little bit off the beaten path but a good campground none the less."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Fond du Lac City offers family-friendly amenities. A camper observed, "It was a very quiet place and there were many families with children who were playing on the small playground, shooting hoops, fishing, and riding bike."
Choose appropriate trails: Jay Cooke State Park Campground offers hiking options suitable for children. One visitor wrote, "Nice hiking trails. Not too difficult. Family friendly."
Consider cabin options: For families new to glamping close to Wrenshall, Minnesota, Banning RV Park and Campground provides comfortable accommodations. A guest shared, "Got exactly what we were looking for, a quiet wooded site."
Tips from RVers
Check hookup locations: At Banning RV Park, campers should verify utilities placement. A camper warned, "Found the sewer in the tall grass and electric, but the water supply was nowhere to be seen. Our water source ended up being 75' plus from our RV."
Consider pull-through sites: First-time RVers appreciate easier parking options. A visitor noted, "This was our first time out, we stayed with our RV and really enjoyed this place. The staff was great and willing to help with any questions or concerns we as rookies had! They have pull-through sites that made our first time that much easier."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require extra equipment for proper setup. An RVer at Banning RV Park mentioned, "Our sites were grass that was a little long and rutted from what seemed from previous tenants. This made getting leveling a little difficult and our fold-out stairs touched the ground before fully being deployed."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Wrenshall, MN?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Wrenshall, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Wrenshall, MN is Jay Cooke State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 72 reviews.
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glamping camping near
Wrenshall, MN?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Wrenshall, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Wrenshall, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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