Best Campgrounds near Illgen City, MN

The North Shore of Minnesota near Illgen City hosts several notable camping areas including Tettegouche State Park and the Finland State Forest campgrounds. Tettegouche features both standard drive-in campgrounds and unique cart-in sites located directly along Lake Superior. The region provides a mix of accommodation types from primitive tent sites to RV-friendly areas with electrical hookups. Nearby Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls State Parks expand camping options with their own developed campgrounds, offering a range of amenities from basic sites to those with showers, flush toilets, and electric hookups for recreational vehicles.

Minnesota's North Shore camping areas typically operate from May through October, though some state park campgrounds remain open year-round with reduced services during winter. Many sites require reservations, which become available 120 days in advance and fill quickly for summer weekends and fall color season. The cart-in sites at Tettegouche State Park offer exceptional privacy and lake views but require extra planning as campers must transport gear from parking areas using wheeled carts provided by the park. A camper noted, "The cart-in sites at Tettegouche are tough to beat: they feel private and at many of them, you are constantly reminded of the majesty of the North Shore, either with the sound of crashing waves or the site of the big lake itself."

State park campgrounds in the area consistently receive high ratings for their clean facilities, scenic locations, and proximity to hiking trails. Campers particularly value sites with Lake Superior views or those near the Baptism River. The cart-in sites at Tettegouche State Park stand out in reviews for their seclusion and direct lake access, with several visitors mentioning private beach areas accessible from individual sites. Bear activity has been reported in the region, and campgrounds provide bear-proof food lockers at many sites. While most developed campgrounds feature drinking water and restroom facilities, shower availability varies by location. Most campgrounds prohibit alcohol consumption and enforce quiet hours beginning at 10 PM, typical of Minnesota state park regulations.

Best Camping Sites Near Illgen City, Minnesota (150)

    1. Baptism River Campground — Tettegouche State Park

    53 Reviews
    Illgen City, MN
    1 mile
    Website

    $25 / night

    "This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds in northern Minnesota along the glorious shores of Lake Superior.  The campsites are surrounded by plenty of wilderness to allow some privacy. "

    "You fill with water near the restroom in the campground next to the bath house across from the dumpsters. From our site you can here the river flowing it’s so peaceful."

    2. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground

    70 Reviews
    Beaver Bay, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 595-7625

    "There are plenty of trees to cool things down and the lake is in sight of all parts of the campground. Trees for hammocks and fire pit for s'mores."

    "Minnesota state parks are very clean. Friendly staff. Amazing views."

    3. Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground

    67 Reviews
    Beaver Bay, MN
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 595-7100

    "Well-spaced, secluded sites with convenient access to restrooms, water access, and hiking trails Steps away from the magnificent lake."

    "Stopped at Gooseberry on our way up the coast of Lake Superior on a long weekend."

    4. Eckbeck Finland State Forest

    19 Reviews
    Illgen City, MN
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 353-8800

    $17 / night

    "Baptism river runs along the campground and has limited camping sites near it. First come first serve. There was a group playing music late and a few drunk campers who visited my site unannounced."

    "The sites on the outside are more secluded but the ones in the middle are also nice. There is also a picnic area on the river and trails behind schedule some of the sites that lead to the river."

    5. George H. Crosby Manitou State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Finland, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 226-6365

    $20 / night

    "This is one of the few state parks in Minnesota where you can winter camp! The trails are absolutely beautiful in the fall, the scenery changes often."

    "We stayed a site 22 on the small lake in early June and loved it! There were other campers nearby for only 1 night, and we never much from them."

    6. Lake Superior Cart-in Campground — Tettegouche State Park

    16 Reviews
    Illgen City, MN
    1 mile
    Website

    "Tettegouche is beautiful right next to Lake Superior. 23 miles of hiking trails, 34 modern campsites (With Flush toilets and showers) and 13 cart-in campsites."

    "Aside from the popular hikes to Shovel Point, High Falls or Bean and Bear Lake - there are miles and miles of other beautiful hiking trails in this state park!"

    7. Bean and Bear Lakes Hike-In — Tettegouche State Park

    12 Reviews
    Silver Bay, MN
    5 miles
    Website

    "The cabins are located 1.7 miles away from the parking area, accessible only by foot."

    "The walk-in campgrounds here are fantastic. THey are very spacious and private, located on a bluff on the edge of Lake Superior. Sleep to the sound of crashing waves."

    8. Black Beach Campground

    13 Reviews
    Silver Bay, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 226-1825

    $30 - $45 / night

    "One is very close to the highway and can get a bit noisy, but the other is a little closer to the beach. I would say anyone can camp here but it looks set up for bigger rigs."

    "Beautiful beach in walking distance. Camp site lacks shade trees, but none the less has nice restrooms and showers. Lots to explore in the area, most a short drive away."

    9. Temperance River State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Schroeder, MN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 626-4300

    "Campground Review Temperance River State Park is just off of scenic Highway 61 north of Duluth, Minnesota about 60 miles."

    "We LOVE this campground, as it's an awesome place to to call home base for a bit and take day trips around the North Shore."

    10. Finland State Forest Campground

    10 Reviews
    Finland, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 226-6365

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Nice little campground just off of highway 61 heading up the north shore. We were able to find a walk in campsite on a Friday night which was nice. Bathrooms were in decent condition. "

    "This is a state forest campground high on a ridge overlooking Lake Superior, just south of the Wolf Ridge ELC."

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Recent Reviews near Illgen City, MN

845 Reviews of 150 Illgen City Campgrounds


  • Di B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Lamb's Resort

    Lake Superior Gem

    Beautiful location on the shore of Lake Superior. Clean restrooms and showers. Friendly hosts. Highly recommend.

  • J
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Carrol Truck Trail

    Wonderful Spot

    Hands down the best spot i have ever camped at, especially here in the midwest. someone who camped here before me left it a bit messy, but other than that it was amazing.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Castle Danger

    Awesome extremely private and primitive camping

    DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE A HIGH CLEARANCE 4x4. The “road” up to the campsite is basically a jeep trail. But if you can get to it I recommend taking the first right if you have a pickup truck or going immediately left if you have anything else. The spot on top of the hill is a great spot.

  • Lindsey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Dalrymple Park and Campground

    Lovely spot

    Lakeside sites set above lakeshore. No lake access but great views. All seems to have electric. Vault toilets and city water. Sites 24,25 & 26 best views. 30 sits above them all across from toilets also with a fab view. Campground manager is a lovely woman who also manges the towns parking lots. At $30 a night it's well worth it! Just outside the little charming town if Belfield with ferry to Madaline Island and the Apostle Island tours.

  • TexasRed (.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    State Land Lax Lake Area - Dispersed Camping

    Nice quiet spot

    Nice secluded spot near many cool attractions but a few miles off the beaten path so it’s a lot less busy. The dirt road in was fine, the driveway was overgrown and the clearing has lots of rocks and vegetation so glad I checked it out in the daytime. I left and came back to find some other Dryters who were really cool and let me stay next to them. Had a fun night by the fire talking with the couple and looking at the stars. Overall very cool spot.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Penmarallter Campsite

    Nice campground close to Two Harbors

    The campground owner/hosts were very friendly and helpful during our five night stay. Two Harbors is a good provisioning and jumping off point for exploring the North Shore area south of Grand Marais. Some shade but mostly sunny pull through camp sites worked well in the cool Minnesota evenings. You can save $5 a night if you only need 30-Amp electric and water.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Sullivan Lake Campground

    Wilderness Campground

    This is a campground for small campers only. My 16 foot travel trailer was about the limit for size. Very little access to the lake and river. Overall, this is a primitive site with pit toilets and a pump jack for water.

  • Cynthia K.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Burlington Bay Campground

    Good base camp for the area

    Large campground run by the city of Two Harbors.

     It has 4 areas of RV camping & 12 primitive tent sites.

     The tent sites by the David Dill area were shady with trees Willow is near the dump station.

     Burlington sites 1-66 have water & electric. There's a row that has lakeside camping. The sites are mostly sunny with some shade. All are close together. There is a lake view. Apparently there's a path with lake access, but not sure which site this was by. 

    The playground is here. Dumpster, dump station & restrooms with showers.

     Agate sites are 67-91. is a loop with full hookup. 73-75, 77, 79,81-84, have beautiful views of the lake, but difficult lake access. Most of this loop is full sun& very close together sites. 

    We were at site 70 & at first I was bummed out not having a lake view. This is my own fault for dithering about what campground I wanted. I was lucky- this was the last site for my dates. I have later found out that someone must have cancelled for this site & I was lucky enough to get it. Reservations fill up quick a year in advance. 

    This site is narrow, but shady. There's foliage to the left separating it from Site 72 (which has a partial lake view) & the back separating it from the Burlington sites. There was a white tail doe walking thru it the first day we were there.

     Sites 67/68 & 70 are close. Our fire pit was only a few feet from site 68's. There's more shade here though.

    Site 69 is somewhat secluded & has shade & easy access to the bathroom. 

    The site across from us was a long site parallel to the road. It was empty the 2 nights we were here.

    Sites 92 to 102 are a little down the road in rows on both sides of the road. Again close together. Full hookup. Just a few feet away from Hwy 61.

     David Dill sites are 1B to 34B These are full hookup sites terraced on a hill. Big rig friendly. There's a bathhouse by the visitor center for David Dill & the tenters.

    Very close together & sunny. They have a pretty good view of the beach & lake. 

    24B to 34B have the best being lowest on the hill. There's a road- then a rocky beach.

     All parts of this campground were full on a Friday/Saturday night. The office has a small gift shop. Open 8am to 8pm during the season. Check in's at noon- which is great! Check out at 11am.

    We did see police patrol occasionally. Hwy 61 is only a few feet away & is VERY loud. There's no Jake brake ordinance for Two Harbors & the truckers are always doing it. 

    This is a busy town!


Guide to Illgen City

Camping near Illgen City, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large, private sites at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "All of the sites are large and spacious with interesting rock features and vegetation that adds to the privacy."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors enjoy the well-maintained facilities at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The campsite was clean and well taken care of."
  • Beautiful Views: Campers love the stunning views at Temperance River State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, "The site was very secluded from the sides, the facilities are well kept."

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for campgrounds with amenities like showers and clean bathrooms, such as Burlington Bay Campground. A camper said, "Clean showers and located close to Two Harbors."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep kids entertained. One family at Baptism River Campground — Tettegouche State Park enjoyed the trails, stating, "Spent more time on trails than on campgrounds but wouldn’t want it any other way!"
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. A visitor at Temperance River State Park Campground mentioned, "The hiking is beautiful and not too intense."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Illgen City, Minnesota, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just be prepared for the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Illgen City, Minnesota?

The best time to visit Illgen City, Minnesota is during fall (September-October) when the North Shore's fall colors are spectacular and there are fewer bugs. Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground visitors report amazing autumn colors in October, though you should be prepared for occasional rain and even snow. Summer (June-August) offers warmer temperatures for enjoying Lake Superior, while spring brings rushing waterfalls but often muddy conditions. Burlington Bay Campground is particularly clean and accessible during summer months with waterfront sites and beach access.

How do I get to Illgen Falls from Illgen City?

Illgen Falls is located within Tettegouche State Park along the Baptism River. From Illgen City (near Silver Bay on Highway 61), head to the Tettegouche State Park main entrance. Follow park signage to the Baptism River trail system. The hike to Illgen Falls is approximately 1.5 miles from the park's main trailhead with moderate difficulty. Temperance River State Park Campground is just off scenic Highway 61 and provides another excellent waterfall experience nearby. For a unique overnight option, consider Bean and Bear Lakes Hike-In which offers secluded cabins accessed via a 1.7-mile hiking trail on the northwest side of Tettegouche State Park.

What amenities are available at Baptism River Campground near Illgen City?

Baptism River Campground — Tettegouche State Park offers a beautiful wilderness setting with privacy between campsites while still providing modern conveniences. The campground features a newly built visitor center with interpretive displays, flush toilets, and shower facilities. There are hiking trails directly accessible from the campground, including routes to scenic waterfalls. Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground nearby provides well-spaced, secluded sites with convenient access to restrooms, water, and hiking trails just steps away from Lake Superior.