If you're looking for glamping near Grand Portage, look no further. Glamping near Grand Portage is a great way to travel off the beaten path. Find the right glamping site for you with our user-submitted photos, reviews, and tips. You're sure to find glamping for your Minnesota camping excursion.
Minnesota's arrowhead region is famous for spectacular scenery, pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, rugged Sawtooth Mountain range, Superior National Forest and numerous Minnesota State Parks. A rich history of first nations, explorers, pioneers, artists and adventurers speaks to the special sense of place found with Grand Marais Camping. The Grand Marais municipal campground is the ideal base camp for exploring Minnesota's arrowhead and north shore of Lake Superior. Campers especially enjoy the convenience of set-up and walking to downtown Grand Marais. Our 60 acres of public parkland includes: Sweetheart's Bluff nature area, cobblestone beaches, harbor break wall and public water access, 4 clean bathhouses, ball field, playground, pavilion, Rec Hall, community garden, Gitchi-Gami bike trail connections, and cozy office with free coffee and wi-fi. Here's a few more details: -A full spectrum of camping options across 300 campsites -Pull-thru and 50 AMP RV sites -Lakeside and Wooded tent sites -Nightly, Weekly and Monthly rates -Reservable and Drop-In sites -Open Year Round -Full service bath houses, water at sites & reservations May-October
East Bearskin Lake Campground is located on its namesake lake, at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. It is a perfect spot for visitors who want the experience found in Boundary Waters and the convenience of car camping. Visitors can reserve standard or walk-in tent sites, or rent small cabins that accommodate up to five or seven people. Canoeing, kayaking and motorized boating is available on East Bearskin Lake. The facility can be conveniently accessed by vehicle. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
Over a million acres in size, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness extends nearly 150 miles along the borders of the United States and Canada, containing over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. The two eastern bays of the lake are within the boundaries of Boundary Waters, thus the campground attracts canoe enthusiasts. Portages link to Flour Lake. Entering the wilderness area requires a special permit. Day permits for non-motorized use are available at the campground, but overnight and motor use permits must be obtained in advance. More information on the Boundary Waters region can be found here. East Bearskin Lake features several shallow bays, making the campground and shoreline good places for wildlife watching. Moose, beavers, eagles, ducks, loons, songbirds and bears are the most common visitors. See recreation guides and maps of hiking trails and canoe routes in the national forest. Fishing is also a huge draw for the area, with East Bearskin Lake offering great fishing for bass, walleye and lake trout. A boat ramp at the campground allows motorboats and canoes access to the lake. Back on shore, a variety of hiking, mountain biking and cross-country ski trails are nearby.
The campground and surrounding area is shaded with majestic red and white pines, balsam fir, spruce, birch and aspen trees. A thick understory offers plenty of shade and excellent privacy between campsites. The campground lies on the shore of the 643-acre East Bearskin Lake, a typical loon nesting site. The surrounding Superior National Forest is located in northeastern Minnesota's arrowhead region and is comprised of 3 million acres. The forest spans 150 miles along the border of the United States and Canada. Visitors can find recreation opportunities year-round, including travel in the famous Boundary Waters area.
Boats, canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the neighboring Bearskin Lodge. The store also offers fishing licenses, day use permits, groceries, ice, firewood, maps and fishing guide services for sale.
$24 - $86 / night
$29 - $59 / night
Devil Track Campground is a nicely wooded campground located on the shore of Devil Track Lake. There are many young pines in the area, making it an excellent spot to look for wildlife. Devil Track Lake is a rough translation of the Ojibwe name: 'spirit' would probably better capture the concept than 'devil'. Regardless of the name, the lake is fun to fish. A carry down boat launch and pier are located at the campground and a drive in ramp located about 0.5 miles away will help you get a line in the water. Downloadable information and map.
$16 - $18 / night
McCargoe Cove Campground is located in McCargoe Cove, on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Indian Portage and East Chickenbone Trails. Boats can overnight at dock. Canoe/kayak access from Lake Superior or 1.2 mile portage from Chickenbone Lake. Stay Limit: 3 nights effective from June 1 Labor Day annually. Shelters: 6 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 7 . Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat
Todd Harbor Campground is located in Todd Harbor on the north shore of Isle Royale National Park, off of the Minong Ridge Trail. Boats can overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 Labor Day annually. Shelters: 1 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 2 . Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat
$34 - $750 / night
Free camping often comes with a beautiful hike or paddle, and when you get there it can be hit or miss if they are full since they are all first come first serve. Be prepared to have to continue on to the next area or return to your last point so you are not caught off guard or end up recking a wonderful experience for someone else. And remember to be mindful that much of the Superior Hiking Trail is on private land and they owner can remove it from the system if you are not respectful of this gift. East Lake Agnes Campsites are located on the Superior Hiking Trail and the shores of Lake Agnes. They can be reached by traveling south and west 1.1 miles from the SHT overnight lot on the Caribou Trail/Cty Rd 4 near White Sky rock. Remoteness and wet slopes make advance planning and caution important. Drinking water available with filtration.
Chippewa Harbor Campground is located in Chippewa Harbor, on the south shore of Isle Royale National Park. Trail access is via the Indian Portage Trail. Boats can stay overnight at dock. Stay Limit: 3 nights from June 1 Labor Day annually. Shelters: 4 Depth at dock (normal conditions): 7 Access: Foot/canoe/kayak/private boat
Legend
A small group of family and friends left the luxuries of home to backpack thirty miles in Isle Royale National Park. It was an amazing experience and I look forward to taking the rest of my children here as they grow up.
The first leg of our journey was a boat ride from Grand Portage, Minnesota to McCargoe Cove. We did not do much backpacking the first day. We did hike around the area and set up camp to take it easy our first night. We elected to stay in our own tents, but those who wanted more amenities could take advantage of several small shelters built in each camp.
Other than Windigo and Rock Harbor, there are no amenities other than some shelters and latrines.
McCargoe Cove is set in a cove right off Lake superior, so this spot is especially popular with the fishermen since there is a nice dock and ease of access for their boats. This was a nice place to stay but it wasn't my favorite.
I tried some new food at McCargoe Cove that I highly recommend: NOKA - Mango/Coconut was fantastic.
Ranger
Cute romantic spot with bridge and little creek and very clean amenities. Nice park very convenient to downtown area!!! We will be back!!! While there we made a trip up to grand portage to check it out and beautiful views and overlooks.
Guide
I would HIGHLY recommend this hostle either for the private rooms, shared rooms, glamping or tent sites. It is INCREDIBLY clean, with such nice people. It is a perfect stop off for a break on the SHT. It has a big shared kitchen with a fridge that you can store food in over night. My wife and I got one of the private rooms for the weekend, and we will definitely be doing it again soon
LegendDue to COVID, the RR and Showers were not open which was not a problem for the multitude of permanently placed RVers.
We called for a reservation but they did not return our calls. the camp host said not to worry, find a place and settle up in the morning. We found a spot within walking distance to the porta-potty at the marina and set up the popup only to discover that there was no 30 amp plug, only 50 amp.
We understood all this, we needed a place for the night. But in the morning the office insisted we pay $45, "the LEAST we could charge" Again, we had what amounted to primitive camping and for a little more we could have gotten a motel.
The town is nice, touristy without being too much so. Close to Canada and the falls at the Pigeon River (the boundary between US and Canada). Great Hiking on the Historic Grand Portage Trail.
Very nice town, great location on the harbor, RVs packed in like sardines, dirty, old and overpriced, even if the showers were working.
LegendI 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). I have stayed in the private rooms, I have glamped, and I have camped on their property. Staying in the hostel building(downstairs is private rooms, upstairs is communal bunk beds) is a wonderful option for those who want a nice climate controlled and dry setting, but on our last two visits we have opted to stay outside.
Amenities: Last fall we opted to stay in one of their three Frost River Company canvas tents- both the inside hostel spaces and the glamping tents are reservable on airbnb. The view is incredible from these tents, and you have your own little deck with two chairs to soak in the view from the lake. The glampground is far enough away from the parking lot that you will want to make use of the available cart (stored by the shower house) to transport your belongings to your tent.
We chose to stay in tent#1, which is the furthest tent on the property. The reason why I chose this tent is because it has more privacy- the front of the canvas tents are just a screen wall and since the other canvas tents are in close proximity you might have people walking in front of your tent to get to theirs. This also means that you need to be extra prepared for cold weather since they are missing a fourth wall. Note that canvas can and will smell depending on if it has recently rained and the temperature. Don’t leave anything leaning against the side if rain is in the forecast since that will allow water to seep into the tent. Bring a small table with you since the decks just have chairs and not side tables.
One important thing to note is that the canvas tents are currently set up with air mattresses- which means you might encounter the traditional air mattress problems. With the temperature fluctuations(it gets chilly at night on the North Shore, even in August) we experienced mattress deflation both nights. Jeremy was very prompt on refilling our mattress after our first night, but if you have a manual air mattress pump you might want to bring it for non-disruptive middle of the night refills(unless pumps are provided in the future). Another option that I wish we had pursued would have been just to remove the air mattress and use our camping pad.
Dogs are allowed if you are camping. Dogs at campground are always a gamble- one night there was a dog that barked incessantly every time you walked past its campsite, so that was a huge deterrent to use the restroom facility at night since I didn’t want to wake up the whole campground for my 2:00 am bathroom visit. Charlie is the owner’s dog and is a lovely sheepdog- friendly but not really up in your business. Make sure not to feed your dog if Charlie is out and about to avoid any food issues, simply ask the owners to bring him in.
The restroom for the campground is really nice, I would recommend wearing shower shoes though because soapy wet concrete feels weird on your feet. Outlets are available in the sink area which is great since there isn’t electricity at the campsites.
The campsites are nice, level, reasonably sized, and offer different pros and cons. Site 1 is the most private, but you don’t have a view of the lake. Sites 2, 3, and 4 are the closest to the bathroom and communal fire pit and are on the smaller side, are less private, and the view of the lake is obstructed. Site 5 is way off next to the glampground and it has the best view of the lake of the campsites.
Experience:
This is probably one of the most interesting places I have stayed at since you are aware of the comings and goings of people, and the guest turnover is much more apparent and can shift the mood of the place. The guests range from young dudes looking to find girls on the superior hiking trail to retired couples who are obsessed with Grand Marais. Quiet hours start at 10pm and so far every stay here has quieted down at that time. Bring earplugs if you want to sleep in since a lot of guests are early risers to start their hiking trips and you will hear their car doors slamming if you are sleeping outside or you will hear them making toast in the communal kitchen area if you are in the hostel.
Weekdays are generally quieter, but weekends will typically see the hostel and the glampground completely filled, just something to think about if you are trying to social distance during this pandemic. Currently the bathrooms are cleaned twice a day and they leave the cleaner out if you want to sanitize as well.
There is one fire pit in the front of the hostel building and one fire pit in the campground area, so take that into consideration if you want to prepare your meals in a fire pit or if you are trying to social distance. It would be nice to have more fire pits for the camp/glampsites since some people aren’t considerate with giving you your social distance space, and sometimes I just want to be able to have a fire without socializing(even when there isn’t a pandemic). While you are here you might as well go to Hungry Hippie Tacos in Grand Marais and get a brisket burrito:)
LegendKate and Jeremy run the Hungry Hippie Hostel. It has been two years since we last stayed with them, and since then they have expanded their lodging options to three Frost River canvas tents and 5 primitive campsites. These additions were accompanied by the construction of what might be my favorite toilet/shower outbuilding that I have ever come across. Oh yeah, they also bought Hughie’s Tacos in Grand Marais. I’m excited about all of this because everything is enjoyable AND affordable- this is a hard combo to come across in the North Shore of Minnesota’s private sector.
Private rooms and bunk beds in the upstairs communal room in the hostel itself are rented out through Airbnb. The nice thing about the rooms are that they are clean, climate controlled, and cozy. However, you WILL hear your neighbors even with your door shut. If you are a light sleeper like me you can forget sleeping in because someone inevitably will start grinding coffee in the common room. This is always fine by me because THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO ON THE NORTH SHORE and time slept beyond what is necessary for a day of adventure is time wasted.
This is why I’m excited about the Frost River campfire tents (Duluth Pack is the ubiquitous canvas goods producer in Minnesota- but not for long!!). They go for $59+tax a night and you have an amazing panoramic view from your little haven. The tents are located a quick walk away from the communal fire ring and the new bathroom building. Bring your own linens for a queen air mattress. I’ve attached a video of the bathroom which has three toilet stalls and two shower stalls.
Ranger
The camper cabins at East Bearskin Lake Campground in Superior National Forest are the ideal way to take advantage of northern Minnesota's wilderness. The camper cabins include a picnic style table inside along with bunk bed sleeping areas. Foam sleeping pads are provided, but you're responsible for bringing your own linens. There is no heat or electricity in the cabins, but the structures are sturdy and provide shelter from wind, rain and snow. Each campsite has an outdoor picnic table and fire ring. There are four camper cabins and they can be reserved through the recreation.gov website. They are just under $70/night. There is plenty of space between cabins as well as other campsites to give you the feel of truly being in the middle of nowhere. We were surrounded by pine trees and had a trail located in our campsite that led to East Bearskin Lake. Keep in mind, it's Minnesota and there was still some snow on the ground and ice on the lakes at the end of May. Pit toilets were just a short walk down the road as was access to potable water.
We saw a moose and had a fox visit our campsite while we were there. We fell asleep to the sound of loons every night. This is also black bear country, so it's important to be bear aware; make sure you store food and water properly and bring bear spray while out hiking. We tried our hand at trout fishing with little luck, but it was still fairly cold, and so not much was biting.
We hiked the Caribou Rock Trail and hikers are required to fill out a hiking log slip before heading out. The 2 mile trail was moderate with a decent incline. Once at the top of the overlook, you can see East Bearskin Lake. There are several lodges throughout Superior National Forest where you can obtain fishing licenses and rent boats.
Grand Marais, MN is only about 45 minutes away from East Bearskin Lake. It's a cool, quaint little town located right along Lake Superior. There's a handful of good restaurants, specifically The Angry Trout, which serves up fresh lake trout out of Superior. The Java Moose has great coffee and Lake Superior Trading Post carries lots of outdoor gear and souvenirs.
We liked it so much, we went back 4 months later in September, and stayed again in the same camper cabin. For a true taste of the North Woods, East Bearskin is hard to beat.
LegendIf you’re looking for a good campsite last minute or are you really really really like the North Shore I want to be right on Lake superior this is a good campground for you. This campground is located in Grand Marais Minnesota right inside the city on the harbor. The RV sites with electric are pretty dang close together which is not my style camping but for most people at RVs they don’t mind that. The tent sites were sent away from the RV sites and we’re pretty secluded from each other which I really really really like.
A lot of people choose this park to park their RV for the summer and pay the summer fee for it. You can also get a daily rate which is not that bad. Check out the picture for info on the rates.
There’s a boat launch into Lake superior in the Grand Marais harbor right inside the city park which is amazing if you’re on a boat and want to go fish or just swim.
All in all this is a great park for families. They also have group camps if you’re interested in that but they were pretty centralized in the the park and were not secluded to anybody.
Inside the city limits you can grab yourself a worlds best donut And for an amazing cup of coffee check out Java Moose For dinner you could do a sit down at The Angry Trout right on the harbor and follow it up with a Voyager Brewing Company beer with amazing views of the sunset.
LegendThe aspect of this campground we liked the best was that we could walk to town. The campground itself is o.k. It was full when we were and definitely felt crowded. There are some tent sites up in a wooded secluded area but most of the park is geared to RVs. Or you can pitch pitching your tent amongst RVs. 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.
There are 300 campsites of with full hookups, some with electric and water hookups and others no hookups. Some site have great views of Lake Superior, some are sunny and open and others have some large trees. Our site (#104) was very close to our neighbors and the RV right behind us and we had a big tree right in our “patio” which was not conducive to sitting outside. We had a 50 amp full hook-up site which all worked well and well-placed in the site. The campground is county-run and a mix of seasonal people (lots of whom appeared to be there for the fishing) and transients like ourselves. One aspect of seasonal campers that I don’t like is how they junk up their site and this certainly had that.
There are four bathhouses on the property some of which are pretty old and tired whereas others are larger and more updated. The bathroom near us was large but was heavily used (which is an understatement) as four tour-size busloads of college students exiting the boundary waters spent the night in tents near it. It was pretty trashed with that volume of people. Since the park is pretty large they have amenities like baseball fields, playground, group camping sections, a beach with picnic area, fish cleaning station, and nearby boat launch.
A short walk to downtown and you have restaurants, shopping, grocery, fuel, pretty harbor, art galleries, bait shops, and more. One of the most highly touted places in Grand Marais is World’s Best Donuts. Even before we got to Grand Marais, people in other parts of Minnesota told us about it. The donuts were really good but beware their closing hour is when they sell out which is why we went really early. We also ate at The Crooked Spoon Cafe and had an amazing meal. Nearby Grand Marais are a scattering of state parks known for their waterfalls which are worth seeing. Many people come here because it is close to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness but since we just came from the town of Ely we did not go back to the boundary waters. We liked this area and kept busy for the three days we were there but couldn’t see staying long-term.
Legend
Campsite Review:
The Kadunce River campsite sits above the river on a ridge. It is oddly close the trail which suddenly disappears into long grasses making you wonder if you've gotten off target. The site has great trees from throwing up your hammocks and about two comfortable tent pads. The campsite sits in the trees so you don't have much of a view of the river and can barely hear it for that matter but you do get views of the tree tops off in the distance. The highlight of this site is it's proximity to one of the coolest and little well known spots on the trail; the Kadunce River gorge and waterfalls. If you take the trail back to the Kadunce spur trail, that heads south to hwy 61, and follow it till it becomes level with the river you can hop in the river and start heading north in it. It has several large rocks and you can keep your feet dry for the majority of the journey but when it's not possible to stay dry, don't! Keep heading up the river and you suddenly take a bend and the gorge closes in and reveals it's end, a rounded, walled canyon and waterfall. it's amazing, and hard to capture on film, but you'll get the gist. I don't know if this trip is possible in the Spring when the water levels would be much higher so if you're deadset on going, do it in the later Summer, Fall or even winter!
Product Review:
On the trail I brought along the Vivobarefoot Eclipse Sandals. They are an ultralight minimalist sandal that has a strapping system designed for you to size to your foot. I used my sandals to explore the campground once we had arrived for the evening. They were nice because of their weight ( I carry a 21lb fully loaded pack) but that minimalist feel was also why I didn't really care for them. The soles were textured to give you traction but you could feel everything underneath. I know there's a trend towards that exact feeling but I did not enjoy it. I would not have lasted long wearing them out and about. The strappy design was fine but I prefer sandals I can slip on as I step out of my tent vs sandals that take some work. I went onto the Vivobarefoot website https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us and could not actually find this model? I'm wondering if they've steered away from it for the cooler months or others have also had a similar opinion and they've beefed up the soles a bit. There were a few other models that I would have considered had they been available when I ordered. The Primus Light for example seems a bit sturdier but still an ultralight feel. Check out my video review below to see up close the Eclipse model I was sent to review by Vivobarefoot.
TravelerGreat new option to camp near the Superior Hiking Trail and all the North Shore has to offer. We camped here just a weekend after staying in a State Park elsewhere. The Hungry Hippie was so much better because it’s SO QUIET. No screaming children on scooters, no RVs running A/C all night. It was so peaceful and beautiful. The scenery is great, it’s open and rural, they have horses to watch, a dog running around, and Lake Superior in the distance.
They have five campsites for tenting and a really nice bath/shower house. There is one fire pit and one picnic table for all, we were busy elsewhere and did not use them.
We are stargazers and really enjoyed the night sky, it was nice and dark, no light pollution.
This is a beautiful, quiet, affordable place to camp, highly recommend!
LegendRecently I stayed in the upper level bunkhouse suite, which means that I have stayed in all of the accommodation types that HH offers. I loved having our own dedicated lounge space upstairs. The upper level used to be a traditional hostel format, but sometime during the pandemic they switched it to a single booking for the entire space. You get a large bed (full or Queen I can’t recall) and then 4 bunks.
This was the most affordable option to take my nephew up to the north shore while still having a roof over our heads and running water. The only things that are still communal with this space are the showers on the first floor (only a toilet and sink upstairs) and the fire pit. Love love love hungry hippie!
Legend
Wunderbar Eatery and Glampground is located in the breathtaking town of Grand Marais, Mn. It’s literally right off the main drag when you are coming into town making it kind of noisy with traffic sounds. The “glampground” is set up outside a cute little bar/restaurant that is a local hangout. There are five vintage campers, and two super cute lotus belle tents available year round. There are also tent and Rv sites available. Each camper is a different theme making it a bit more interesting. They sleep 2-5 people depending on how cozy you want to get.
There is a full service restaurant and bar that offers room service in a little red wagon right to your camper or tent. If you like music there is live music inside the restaurant by local artists. Along with your reservation you get a swag basket filled with local coupons, local treats, passes to the YMCA (so you can shower), and a complimentary drink to start your experience right.
When I visited I had chicken strips that were pretty stellar and a local brew. My husband had chili cheese fries that were nothing more than ordinary. The fries were pretty good but the chili did not taste homemade. All in all I thought the food wasn’t anything to write home about. The beer however was awesome! Local brews are my favorite!
The restaurant also has a banquet room and playroom with crafts and toys/games for the kids. This is pretty great for rainy days.
The town of Grand Marais is spectacular right on the shore of Lake Superior. There are amazing views of boats coming in and out of the harbor and you can even snag a few lake trout right in the harbor. The famous Worlds Best Doughnut shop is located here, and when they say world best THEY MEAN IT! I have literally never had a better doughnut.
If you travel up MN-61 you will pass Voyagers Brewing Company with rooftop seating and spectacular views of the harbor. One of my favorite places to be in the evening for the sunset! You will also find a ton of great places to eat that are a bit more “fancy” and a cute coffee shop with awesome drinks.
Aside from location ( being right next to the highway) this is one of the quirkiest campgrounds I’ve been to. With prices between 25$ for a tent site to anywhere from 100$-125$ for one of their vintage campers, this is the place to beat for pricing.
GuideThis is one of my favorite lakes in the BWCA. Very tall cliffs and tons of wildlife.
RangerI came here on a canoe trip and it was absolutely amazing. The water was clear and you can see the bottom. At our campsite there was the usual fire ring and restrooms. There are cabins. I saw a group of teens fishing so I think you can do that here
GuideIt is not Lake Superior but it definitely is charming and the sites are well shaded.
ScoutBeautiful camp ground definitely should visit!
LegendThis campground is beautiful. The sites are shady and close to the lake. The facility is clean and the sites are level.
LegendI had this past weekend planned as a 4-day weekend for quite some time without any actual firm plans until last Monday. This would have been a disaster had I planned on staying at a state park, but this national forest campsite had A LOT of openings and we even snagged one of the cabins for a night. This campground does not appear as though many of their sites are heavily used. The campsites that weren't close to the lake were vacant to the point that the "open" grassy areas were long and growing to seed. I would have been disappointed if I had wound up booking one of those since a weed whipper isn't something that I would ever consider having to pack.
The toilets are pit only- not the worst or the best that I have ever seen, and there are no shower facilities. 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.
Before you hit the campground you will drive past the Bearskin Lodge. This lodge manages the campground- but don't feel like you need to stop here to check in if you know the specifics about your reservation- your name is already on the campsite post. The staff there are friendly and they have a few food items in addition to camping basics such as firewood and ice available to purchase. Their lattes were surprisingly good for being in the middle of nowhere and the homemade ice cream sandwich was perfect on a hot day. Canoes and kayaks are also available to rent. There isn't a restaurant onsite- I would recommend going to the Loon Lake lodge for their all-you-care-to-eat breakfast from 8-9:30 if you are heading up the Gunflint Trail in the morning. This price is an unbelievable bargain for the quality of food. Ok back to the campground!
The first night we stayed at campsite #5. It has a nice little path to a private little area on the lake. This site was relatively private and had plenty of room to park 1-2 vehicles. The site was flat and required no extra effort to haul your stuff from your vehicle to where you wanted to set up your campsite. Several sites- #6 and whatever is directly across from #5 require climbing up a hill from your car to the actual site. This would be quite a pain if it had been raining. The firepit was nice enough with a grill that you could flip on or off.
For our final night we stayed at the Tamarack cabin. If I remember correctly up to 7 people could sleep here with 2 bunk beds and two pads also provided in the loft. There is also an awesome screen porch with basic plastic chairs on the front that I wish that I had more time to sit in. You don't get a key, but the door is lockable from the inside. I think that it would be kind of cramped if it were filled to capacity on a rainy day. I would also probably be a sleepless mess if I had to share this cabin with more than just my husband on account of how creaky the bunk bed and the floors could be.
The lake is pretty nice for swimming- the lake access point is pretty clear of weeds and you are able to walk out a bit before it gets too deep for an adult. The parking lot was pretty full for a Friday at mid-day without seeing anyone around, so it was nice to have the lake "to ourselves" for a quick swim/float.
Overall I was very pleased with the experience that we were able to obtain considering that we put off making reservations and had never heard of this campground before.
LegendThe campsite wasn't huge, but it did what we needed it to do...it allowed us to set up a tent, have a campfire and sleep! That's all you need, right?
The tent pads were very level and without any lumps or holes. The were, however, gravel type sand pads that made it very hard to pound in stakes, but fortunately, it wasn't windy so we didn't have an issue. The fire grate was clean and provided a nice campfire in the evening. Each site had a picnic table that was nice and solid. 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 bathroom (pit style enclosure with a door) was just down the path from us and we were on a loop, so it was easy for the kids to walk around a bit and stretch their legs after the long car ride. Everyone was quite and respectful after dark and remarkably, we didn't have any critters that night! Not even a mouse :)
Easy to get to from Grand Marais, and the sites were fairly private from one another. A good choice, even when it's busy season. But make sure to bring bug spray...the mosquitoes were brutal!
ScoutThis where my fiance and I went camping for the first time together and have gone back every year. It's quiet and you feel secluded with the heavy tree coverage. Located about halfway up the Gunflint Trail, it's easy to get anywhere for hiking or into town for the day.
GuideIt’s a ways out, but very nice. Off of the Gunflint Trail, down a gravel road you’ll find this peaceful campground. Very pleasant.
TravelerI stayed here for two nights prior to the launch of a solo SUP trip on what can be called the East Bearskin Loop of 9 lakes and 9 portages back to the launch just outside this campground. I pulled up in late morning on a Thursday and had no trouble snagging a decent first-come spot. I think it was #9. Anyway, the spots are in the trees and very private. The whole campground has that way up north feel and you can launch your canoe, paddle board, or kayak from either the boat launch or the other end of the campground. Just a wonderful experience. But remember—you’ll be way out there a fair pace up the Gunflint, so don’t expect to have any amenities close by to purchase. Bring everything you need and just have fun!
GuideThe beauty and serenity here is exponentially greater than anything I've ever experienced before. I encourage you to go and explore nature. Become reconnected to our planet.
LegendConcessionaire is Bearskin Lodge. Clean sites, several level. Wooded. Unpaved road to access campground is good. Some sites are first come, first serve. Clean vault toilets. Good water supply near campsite #3. Privacy between most sites. No T-Mobile cell service. Pretty lake.
LegendWatched a YouTube video of someone reviewing this campground before heading up...thank you good sir. This campground is clean, simple, and amazingly located. If you are looking to get away from everything and just enjoy nature and go for a paddle or a hike this is the best place to do it. You can't go wrong really with any of the sites here but some are better than others. The campground has a couple loops that offer a variety of sites and some go quicker than other because of their proximity to the water and the views, but you should be able to get a site. You would probably be better served fitting a smaller camper in here or even just tent camping which seemed to be the popular way to go while I was there. I would highly recommend spending a couple nights here and recharging and connecting with nature!
They do have a couple cabins that looked pretty basic and during the buggier months might be better suited for some. All of the sites located in the front or near the water were my favorites, but even some of the sites away from the water were perfect as well.
GuideWe were amazed and sure glad we had reservations. The camp was full. Spent one night traveling along the north shore. Because of Covid-19 many places are closed but the Scenery is superb. Travel up to higher elevations to see beautiful vistas below of Lake Superior. Very clean sites. Grocery shopping not far away. Beautiful hiking trails out side of town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Grand Portage, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Grand Portage, MN is Grand Marais Campground & Marina with a 4.3-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Grand Portage, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 glamping camping locations near Grand Portage, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
