122 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
You'll find several camping options around Grand Marais, Minnesota, all within reach of Lake Superior's shoreline. Tettegouche State Park has good camping spots with trails leading to Minnesota's highest completely in-state waterfall. Cascade River State Park Campground sits among trees with the river just a short walk away. Both parks maintain clean facilities with bathrooms and picnic tables for meals. Being close to Lake Superior means you can fish or take a kayak out when the weather's nice. Some camping spots give you more distance from neighbors, while others are more social. Trees cover most camping areas, keeping sites cool during summer heat. Grand Marais town is nearby when you need groceries or want to try local restaurants. The camping experience changes with the seasons – fall brings colorful trees and fewer people, while summer is busy so you should book ahead. Some hardy folks camp during winter, but you'll need serious cold-weather gear. The Grand Marais area works well as a base camp whether you're staying for a weekend or a longer trip.
"Trails, the lake, 10mn from Grand Marais (world's best donuts!), great hiking, everything rocks. I'd move there if I could."
"This is a great campground in a beautiful state park adjacent to lake Superior on the North Shore."
from $22 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Tucked up in the woods is a small tent area that is nice and quiet but a little far from the bathrooms so be prepared to walk."
"This is a huge community campground within the village of Grand Marais, right on the harbor."
"Small (27 site) campground north of Grand Marais, MN on MN61."
"Judge Magney State Park, Minnesota This is a small state park near the shores of Lake Superior. Off Hwy 61, North of Grand Marais."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"it says it’s only a few miles from Grand Marais, but that’s measured as the crow flies
-you’re 8 miles into Superior Nat’l Forest by the time you find the campsite
-kind hosts who seek you out only"
"Close to fishing and hiking and just far away from town to feel like you are on your own."
from $16 - $18 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time staying at Two Island Lake Campground. We spent the first part of the week further up the Gunflint and wanted to find someplace new for the second part of the week."
"Its another quiet lake campground, rustic and nice. Each campsite is private some more than others and some are a hike short distance to throw up a tent."
"Oh yeah, they also bought Hughie’s Tacos in Grand Marais."
"I love Grand Marais- and it has been made even better by the couple who started the Hungry Hippie Hostel and Hungry Hippie Tacos(made with fry bread)."
from $29 - $59 / night
Check Availability"On our way back from Grand Marais, Mn I stopped and toured the campground at Temperance River State Park. This park is located just outside Schroeder, Mn which is 1.5 hours north of Duluth, Mn."
"Gorgeous area around the river! Campsites need to be booked in advance, but easy to get to."
from $24 - $34 / night
Check Availability"Our site, number 21, had a small path that led down to the lake. You couldn't see the lake from where we were, but it was only about 20 yards and BAM...BINGO! The lake!"
"The camper cabins at East Bearskin Lake Campground in Superior National Forest are the ideal way to take advantage of northern Minnesota's wilderness."
from $24 - $86 / night
Check Availability"If you want easy access to Grand Marais, but want to be in a quieter location just up the Gunflint Trail, this campsite will be for you. It is small, quiet, and very rustic."
"Only a few sites in this campground, but the sites are spacious and its a good location for exploring the area."
"Just off the Superior Hiking Trail and about 1/4 mile from a parking area. When you get to the site, you ascend up a little hill to an area that has plenty of trees for hammocks."
TravelerThree spots total. They advertise only two can fit over 21 feet but I think a van or small RV could fit in all three. One pit toilet a bit away. Clear big spots so Starlink works. Warning: much hotter than the shore area
GuideI stopped by to check this site out and was simply whelmed. each site was fairly private and easy to access but if you have a bigger tent like me only sites 3 and 5 will really work. 1, 2, and 4 had some large rocks and uneven terrain. A standard 2-5 person tent should fit right in but that’s not what I have this trip.
Plus: solar powered potable water pump. I topped off my two 5L bottles and went to check out other sites. If push had come to shove I would have come back but it’s not good for those with solar needs and my Starlink wouldn’t get service with the state of the canopy. Beautiful trees, though. ❤️🔥
GuideAfter needing to vacate my old site I checked a few out down shore and this was the second one I went to. Only major differences was while this didn’t have water available the campsite was bathed in suns light in the midday. A must if you have solar like I do.
I stopped in here in the fall once while scoping out new campsites and wasn’t sure about it. It’s a great summer spot IMHO and it has both a boat launch and fishing pier.
GuideThere's nothing wrong with the campground, not the lack of potable water, lack of garbage service, not lack of toilet paper in the vault toilet.
Well, there is, it's that the MN DNR is now charging $17/PER NIGHT for this space. This and all the other primitive campgrounds in the area. I don't get why - they aren't providing the services listed on their website for the $17/night. The rangers don't visit the campsite (they are stationed at Cascade State Park 48 miles away) so ... what does that get us? Aside from giving back for the space we're using... $5/day? I can get behind that. Not $17. In the Superior National Forest $22/day gets you water, trash/recycling, and clean vault toilets stocked with excess amounts of sand-toilet-paper.
Now that's the only (really only) negative about this campground.
It's quiet. I've been here... let's just say a while... and the most noise you get is load in/load out for people going in to the BWCAW and neighbors on their four-wheelers. I had an extended stay here in 2025 and the same thing.
As a homeless, unemployed person $17/day is astronomically overpriced and feels more like a "fuck you" price from the DNR (through Yodel) for a campsite with nothing to offer beyond an unstocked vault toilet. But it does have a toilet. Which is more than you get for the dozens and dozens of places along Arrowhead Trail, Otter Lake Road, Jackson Lake Road, and countless other spurs in the area to set up camp in.
$5/day would be reasonable. Despite the required payment this year (which I look forward to getting a ticket over) this campsite is still a five-star site for me. Hopefully the DNR comes to their senses and revises that.
Travelerwe were there and there was dogs running around our truck and I said to kennel the dogs or wolfs will kill them.. they did not listen.. two days later they lost one dog and I said your in the wilderness watch out wolfs do not like dogs!!
TravelerDo you like loud noise and people?? if you do come here locals are partying and have loud music here from cabins around teenagers come here to party! NOT good!!
TravelerHorrible bug infested wooded next to the road and near each other..my back yard is more private
TravelerWhy do they place sites so close???
TravelerIf you like people everyplace riding at snd running generators this place is for you!!
Camping near Grand Marais, Minnesota ranges from lakeside spots to secluded forest sites at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level. The region's northern location creates dramatic seasonal temperature variations, with summer nights often dropping below 50°F even when days reach the 70s. Most Grand Marais area campgrounds remain open from mid-May through mid-October, though specific opening dates vary based on spring thaw conditions.
Hike to Devil's Kettle Falls: At Judge C. R. Magney State Park Campground, follow the 1.5-mile trail to see a waterfall that partially disappears into a mysterious rock formation. "The trail to Devil's Kettle was a nice hike. Be warned lots of stairs but excellently maintained," notes Scott G. The trail includes approximately 200 stairs and crosses the Brule River.
Fish for trout: Several campgrounds offer lake access with good fishing opportunities, particularly at Kimball Lake Campground. "A main draw is trout fishing, and there is a trail around the lake," explains Janet R. The campground provides a boat launch for small watercraft.
Climb Minnesota's highest point: From Two Island Lake Campground, you can access Eagle Mountain (2,301 feet). "Take drive and go to eagle mountain while there its about 10 minutes down road," recommends Jordan L. The hiking trail to the summit is 7 miles round-trip with moderate difficulty.
Private lake access: Many sites at Devil Track Lake Campground offer direct shoreline access. "Many sites have private lake access. You can't see other sites from your own," reports Maria P. Most waterfront sites are spaced 30-50 feet apart, with natural vegetation providing additional privacy.
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting of Hungry Hippie Campground offers excellent night sky viewing. "We are stargazers and really enjoyed the night sky, it was nice and dark, no light pollution," shares Kt D. Located on a hillside away from town lights, the campground features open views of the night sky.
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds vary in amenities, with some offering modern facilities. Temperance River State Park Campground features "clean, hot water in the showers," according to Charyle C. Many sites have been recently updated, including Cascade River where "campground facilities were all redone in 2017 and are great," according to Andrea S.
Reservation requirements: The popular Grand Marais Campground & Marina fills quickly, especially for RV sites. "RV sites are hard to get! Get a jump on a rez in January," advises PJ F. Weekends from June through August typically book completely 3-4 months in advance.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds sit close to highways. At Judge C. R. Magney, "The outside loop is close to the highway & that gets loud around 6am until 10pm when it quiets down," notes Cynthia K. Sites farther from Highway 61 generally provide a quieter experience.
Water sources: Not all campgrounds offer treated water. At East Bearskin Lake, one camper reported, "There is a drinking water tap located by campsite 3, but the two of us were feeling slightly ill a few hours after brushing our teeth and swishing with it." Bringing your own drinking water is recommended for more remote sites.
Choose sites with easy lake access: Two Island Lake has family-friendly shorelines. "Some [sites] are a lakeview site with a nice breeze coming off the lake, many with their own personal beach on your site," notes Anne G. Sites 8, 10, and 22 specifically offer gradual water entry good for children.
Consider tent-only areas: At East Bearskin Lake Campground, there are designated quiet areas. "There is a small secluded tent only area on a wooded hill which would be a good choice if you prefer less hustle bustle," explains Raak V. These sites typically have greater separation from RV areas where generator noise can disturb naps.
Pack for temperature swings: Evening temperatures drop significantly even in summer. "It was chilly while we were up there," reports Krista T. about Grand Marais Campground. Day-to-night temperature differences of 30°F are common, requiring both warm-weather clothing and heavier layers for evenings.
Size limitations: Many campgrounds have restrictions on RV length. At Devil's Track Lake, sites accommodate smaller units but not large motorhomes. "The sites are suitable for tents & small trailers, popups, truck campers, camper vans. We did see one larger trailer, but most sites are short," explains Cynthia K.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites exist primarily at Grand Marais Campground & Marina. "There are 300 campsites with full hookups, some with electric and water hookups and others no hookups," reports Nancy W. Electric-only sites at other campgrounds often have 30-amp service only, requiring adapters for newer RVs with 50-amp systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Grand Marais, MN?
Several excellent campgrounds surround Grand Marais. Cascade River State Park Campground is highly rated for its perfect combination of trails, lake access, and proximity to town (just 10 minutes away). For a more secluded experience, Devil Track Lake Campground offers private lake access sites about 8 miles into Superior National Forest. Other noteworthy options include Temperance River State Park (1.5 hours from Duluth with spectacular Lake Superior views), Flour Lake Campground on the Gunflint Trail, and Two Island Lake Campground with its peaceful setting.
Where is the Grand Marais Municipal Campground located?
Grand Marais Campground & Marina is conveniently located within the town of Grand Marais itself, right along the Lake Superior shoreline. The campground is positioned within easy walking distance of downtown Grand Marais and all its attractions. Unlike many campgrounds along Highway 61, this location is sheltered from highway noise despite its convenient in-town position.
What amenities are available at Grand Marais campgrounds?
Amenities vary across Grand Marais area campgrounds. Trail's End Campground offers uniquely laid-out, private sites with some providing water access. East Bearskin Lake Campground features level tent pads and basic camping necessities. Most campgrounds in the area provide fire rings and picnic tables, while facilities range from rustic (vault toilets at backcountry sites) to more developed campgrounds with drinking water. The Grand Marais Campground & Marina stands out for its proximity to town amenities and services, allowing campers to easily access restaurants, shops, and other urban conveniences on foot.
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