126 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
You'll find several campgrounds near 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. Seasons shape what camping near Grand Marais looks like – 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"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."
"There's a rock dock when the water is low for your canoe, there's a pathway to the lake from the site and the latrine is 20 feet away. "
"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"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."
TravelerWe hiked in around 2pm on a Saturday and got this spot for the night, it was so beautiful! A few hikers came by but otherwise very quiet and secluded! I would come back here anytime! About a mile hike from the caribou trailhead parking.
RangerOnce I have a bigger battery this is a site for me. You can get three tent or cars in here easily. Single Stauber for your business — but it was missing its lid when I last checked.
RangerI've been here many times. Sometimes as little as 72 hours, usually two weeks.
When I was first shopping for a campground in 2016 for my return to the region after a 15-year absence I struggled to find a good campsite in the listings online and, eventually, found my way here.
And I lucked out on the very first night that the campsite I picked was open - vacated just the day before, and it is truly the best site in the entire group.
There's a rock dock when the water is low for your canoe, there's a pathway to the lake from the site and the latrine is 20 feet away.
I come here in the fall for my trips up north so I can't speak for the summer or spring activity here but I love it.
In the past it was a free over-winter campground and they installed gates during COVID to, presumably, keep regular, committed, and rule-abiding riff-raff like yours truly out. That really struck a nerve that had made me feel unwelcome in the area for that time of year but it feels like this is the new normal for the USFS and Minnesota DNR - you cannot have free or nice things anymore.
Will I go back? hell ya. This campsite rocks. Good open canopy, beautiful east-west lake, Aurora reflects incredibly off the water... it's truly a slice of eden in the heaven that is Grand Marais and Cook County.
RangerGot here last night with one neighbor. Another overnight. Both gone by morning. Quiet. Lake has some fowl traffic but is quite peaceful.
Only caveats are bugs and proximity but that’s fine. It’s a free campground.
GuideHiked and camped at BP4 with the boys here, last minute stopped that ended up being way more than expected. Trails are in good condition, crazy views at the top of the trail along the falls. One of our favorites for a backpack experience.
RangerSite is single, small, and has a fire ring. Thats about it. Easy to find on the side of The Grade and relatively hidden but still effected by road noise.
RangerThis is what I’d consider a classic campground—it just has that classic camp vibe where you just know you’re going to have a great time.
The sites are gloriously private yet spacious, and offer lots of options for shade or sun depending on your needs. I had very, very minimal cell service (Verizon), but was able to get a decent starlink signal by placing my tripod on my picnic table.
The bathrooms are a bit older, which means they can become a pretty crowded in the evening as there are only two showers in the men’s and women’s, but they were clean and fully functional.
The campground is set back from the visitor’s center and beach by quite a ways, but there is a trailhead at the campground that leads to the falls and can be tied into other trails that will take you to the visitor’s center (which is a stunning building) and beyond to Shovel Point if you’re up for a 6mi round trip trek.
My only gripe was the state of the road to/through the campground as it had a large number of potholes/ruts that made for a bit of a bumpy (but easily manageable) ride, but the park will be repaving it in 2027.
RangerNice little campsite with a latrine erm Stauber and water access. W
RangerAll four are grouped together but the road is less than stellar to approach. Vault toilet. No other services, as one would expect. Boat launch looks good and has lots of room to maneuver.
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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