Top Tent Camping near Knife River, MN
Looking for the best options for tent camping near Knife River? Find the best tent camping sites near Knife River. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Minnesota camping adventure.
Best Tent Sites Near Knife River, MN (25)
1. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
69 Reviews•323 Photos•422 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
2. Bean and Bear Lakes Hike-In
12 Reviews•63 Photos•133 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Toilets
- Alcohol
$14 / night
3. Lake Superior Cart-in Campground — Tettegouche State Park
15 Reviews•52 Photos•29 SavesThe farthest site is six-tenths of a mile from the parking area. Bear-proof storage lockers available.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
4. George Crosby Manitou State Park
22 Reviews•70 Photos•71 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
$20 / night
5. Thompson Beach Kayak Site
1 Review•1 Photo•23 Saves- Fires
- Tents
- Picnic Table
6. Sand Island
1 Review•10 Photos•34 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Dispersed
8. Big Rock Campground
3 Reviews•23 Photos•37 SavesLocated on the Sioux River, a Class A steelhead trout stream, the park offers a spot for picnicking, wildlife viewing, hiking, bank and stream fishing, and primitive camping. Camping is on a first come, first served basis only. Amenities Number of sites: 13 Pit toilet Hand pump Fees Non-electric campsite - $13 per day No monthly rates
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$13 / night
9. Garfvert
4 Reviews•2 Photos•10 Saves- Tents
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
10. Point Detour Wilderness Campground
2 Reviews•7 Photos•50 SavesA few miles north, experience Point Detour “Wilderness” Campground. Rustic camping surrounded by nature and located on an overlook of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. On a first come, first serve basis No reservations required (but advised if it's a weekend or holiday) Pay site fees at Legendary Waters Resort & Casino Hotel Front Desk Campground Check-in: 12PM / Campground Check-out: 11am Stay six nights, get the seventh night FREE! TENT: $25 For reservations or information, please contact the Hotel Front Desk at (800) 226-8478 Toll Free. The showers are at the casino, not the campground (but they are FREE). You must book a "time" to take a shower with the casino front desk
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$25 / night
Showing results 1-10 of 25 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews In Knife River
647 Reviews of 25 Knife River Campgrounds
Tori K.
Legend
Shipwreck Creek Campground — Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Great new campground
Split rock is a great place to stay on the north shore! Great place to set up base camp and go explore nearby parks and trails! Site come with a picnic table and fire pit and wood is available at the office! Bathrooms and showers are also in the campground.
Briana H.
Scout
Buffalo Valley Camping
Clean, amazing staff, great bar & grill!
We loved this campground! We didn’t have a long enough hose for the water hookup, so Darrel (the manager) brought one out immediately and we could keep it all night. All the staff was so nice and welcoming. Campground was so clean and nice trails to walk around. The bar & grill had great food and service. 10/10!
Joslyn H.
Guide
George Crosby Manitou State Park
Great first backpack trip
This was my first time backpacking and I did it solo. I camped in site 3 and it was gorgeous. Looks like they recently planted some trees. There was plenty of fallen wood nearby for firewood. The river is right there and so beautiful. I slept great to the sound of the rushing water. The latrine was hard to find at first.
- Ioan P.Legend
red pine camp ground
Most beautiful !
This campground is extremely clean and charming ! Has everything ! Private.
- JJohn F.Scout
Shipwreck Creek Campground — Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Newest MN State Park Campground on the North Shore of Lake Superior
We have camped there a few times and love the accessibility to Mtn. Bike Trails and bicycle riding on the Gitche Gami State aBike Trail. Close to world class hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail and a few nice easier hikes right in the park.
- Bella J.Guide
Herbster Campground
Super nice
We only stayed one night & I wish we could’ve stayed longer, super nice campground right on Lake Superior. We stayed in the wooded sites & those were nice & secluded
Wayne W.Scout
Knife Island Campground
Tight
Overall a very nice camp for a 4 day. Roads are tight for 30+ rigs. Very rutted. Having a ground guide for the tight parking is a must. Reviews dont mention the 4am horn blowing train. Great time had here.
- SSara A.Guide
Herbster Campground
South shore Lakeside
Site with fire pit (no grate), nice picnic table, and the amazing sound of waves. By late August, direct views of lake is obscured by beach grass but still just as delightful. Sites were close but our neighbors never showed so we lucked out. I loved that as a tent camper, we were placed further away from the RVs and the noises that can go with them. Site 6 was close to the path for all in the rest of the campground to get to the beacb. Nicely tended bathrooms just across the road with showers.
Wind gusts took our 8 person tent down while we were out during the day. Since it was my first time here, no idea of that kind of wind is typical or if it was the season or day.
The sunsets were unbeatable!! And we lucked out catching the northern lights our first night.
Erin K.Scout
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Fabulous Newer Campground with Spacious Sites
Shipwreck Creek Campground is a great new(er) addition to the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. All of the sites are large and spacious with interesting rock features and vegetation that adds to the privacy. Facilities are clean and well maintained. All sites are nice, but the loop with the “300’s” sites are the most spacious and interesting.
The shower house is a lengthy walk; not a problem but consider driving up to it if you have little with. Clean vault toilets throughout the campground are convenient.
Only bummer is the lack of dump/fill station onsite; park website directs you to fill prior to arrival at the Silver Bay city/municipal shop.
Bjoern C.Guide
Spirit Mountain Campground
Good site to explore duluth
The camp site was big enough for our car and our 6 person tent. The office had weird opening ours. I would recommend getting ice and wood at the nearby gas station. Overall a quiet campground. Was a pleasant experience
- JJenna L.
Traveler
Buffalo Bay Campground
Lakeside casino
Very RV resort style - pretty close together sites and not a lot of privacy . There are some sites in the back loop that seem more spacious and secluded! The lakeside sites have great views though! And nice showers. We were passing thru and the FCFS campgrounds were all full so this was a fine option close to Bayfield!
- Kaitlyn K.Scout
Herbster Campground
Super pretty!
Loved the view. We had a lakeside tent site. Campsites aren’t that spread out. We had a good amount of space but we could easily hear the neighbors and was annoying late at night. There are some outhouses and ADA restrooms/showers. We were 15 minutes from Meyer’s Beach, which was great. Lakeside tent sites are right by the beach. Beach was rocky - bring a pair of crocs or similar shoe if you’re sensitive to the rocks and branches in the sand. Water was cool and felt great!
Carissa J.Guide
Castle Danger
Well hidden dispersed spot
This area is definitely off the beaten path. Super skinny road with lots of rocks/hills and puddles coming in. I would recommend a car with 4WD for it and would not suggest pulling a camper unless you have experience bringing it over rough terrain. The sites themselves appeared to not be visited often. I went in early August and a lot of the places were over grown with plants! It was nice to be right by the north shore but in a spot that felt very much secluded. There was also no bugs here which was amazing! Great spot to hang out by a campfire without getting swarmed. You’ll be able to find plenty of wood from the nearby trees for a fire as well.
Karla J. B.ScoutGeorge Crosby Manitou State Park
Private, rustic backpacking sites
Our first time camping in this park. We made base camp and did day hikes from there. Site 7 was near the river, the rushing water was a convenient water source, but was quite loud - this was no calming, babbling brook, lol! We didn’t see any other humans for 2 whole days, which was a plus. The site was large for 2 tents and 2 couples, the latrine was adequate and marked with a sign. We were able to find enough deadfall for firewood. Mosquitoes were horrendous, as expected. The hikes to many of the campsites are strenuous with hilly terrain, some have been washed out and it was unclear how to access some sites. We had a great time with friends. The cascade was gorgeous, and we had it all to ourselves. Unfortunately, we didn’t pack in any fishing gear. This camping trip was a great middle ground between state park camping loops and true back country.
- Bjoern C.Guide
Black Beach Campground
Ideal as base to discover north shore, but not nice with a tent
We were at the part close to the high way. Very noisy. Facilities are clean and well maintained. Sites are note usable by tent. I barely got the tent Ankers in the ground. Mostly RV or trailers. Not that close to the beach.
- BBryan P.Guide
Jay Cooke
Hike in site: Highland
The campsite was perfectly good: nice and spacious over looking the river. It is well off the main hiking trail and quite private. The view of the river is heavily obstructed and there really is no easy and safe way down the cliff to the river. Still it is nice to hear the river. You need to bring on drinking water, otherwise you need to go about 1/8 of a mile to a small creek to get filterable water.
The hike in is easy, but once you are off the main trail (the first mile) the trail is grass—be prepared for lots of ticks.
Kathryn B.Traveler
Gooseberry Falls State Park
We will be back
The campsite was clean and well taken care of. My daughter and I tented it. It was so much fun! Just enough privacy to get a “real” camping experience, but not so private that we felt unsafe. It was so nice to not worry about bears!
We found this amazing picnic and hiking trail super close to the campgrounds in Gooseberry.
We will be back soon!
- LLisa M.Scout
Amnicon Acres Campground
Lovely couple of nights
A last-minute change in our travel plans found us in the Lake Superior area with no camping reservations. We secured a tent site (T-1) here and were quite pleased. The site was private and level, and close to a shower area and laundry, both of which we sorely needed. As an added plus, the restaurant offered an opportunity for a hearty meal and drinks. The pizza here was great, as were the cheese curds, and the hospitality was wonderful. The owner gave us good advice on a drive up the North Shore of Superior.
If we found ourselves in the area again, we'd return here for sure.
Michael F.Scout
Pattison State Park
Awesome
Golden
- SSean D.Scout
Amnicon Acres Campground
Hidden gem
Best pizza in the county. On a beautiful lake for some fishing or just a relaxing cruise.
- JAcob G.Traveler
Cadotte Lake
Very nice family campground
Very nice campground for the family. Sort of has a mix of rustic and not rustic camping. Has a lovely beach just a few steps away from campsites. The fishing peer is more like a look out as it’s not in the water and even 20’ out from it it’s pretty shallow yet. Other than that it’s a nice camp ground.
- JAcob G.Traveler
Sullivan Lake Campground
Sullivan Lake is awesom
Been a long time user of Sullivan lake campground. Love the rusticity of it and the quietness of it. So quit you can feel the grouse Drumming’s deep within your soul. Highly recommend.
- Brittany M.Scout
Point Detour Wilderness Campground
Quiet Rustic campground
We camped here over the 4th of July. Our site had a short trail directly to Lake Superior. We arrived mid afternoon on the 4th and there were multiple sites still available. The campground did fill up though. Some sites had grass which had not been cut in quite some time and would make it really difficult to camp, others had the grass cut. Sites had a fire pit and picnic table. The outhouse was a bit messy, but usable.
Stacey N.
RangerPattison State Park
Lovely!
The only drawback for us is the 6 hour drive! Huge, wonderful pull thru sites. Wooded for privacy. Easy access to bath and shower rooms from most anywhere. Lots of places to fill water bottles, too. Highly recommend and one of the smartest laid out campgrounds we’ve seen.
- KKevin S.Traveler
Dalrymple Park and Campground
Ideal for smaller rigs
Our site overlooked Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands but was a tight fit for our 24' van. Good 30amp electric, water spigot nearby but no dump stations at park.
- SSara A.Guide
Jay Cooke
Peaceful corner
As a tent camper, i prefer quiet and private sights. The circle this site was part of, was just that. The walk to the updated bathrooms (with showers) is pretty pretty. It was buggy (mosquitoes) but fire and bug spray kept it manageable. The pit toilet next to site 18 had an occasional waft of smell but nothing too lingering or bad.
Emelia O.GuideJay Cooke
Beautiful Hiking
The site was nice a secluded but still close to water and bathrooms. The downside to this specific site is that it is close to the group camp so it was pretty noisy.
Guide to Knife River
Camping near Knife River, Minnesota, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: The trails around Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground are fantastic. One camper mentioned, "Hiking trails and walking paths lead to great views of the lake and Gooseberry River."
- Fishing: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One review noted, "We had a lakeside tent site. Campsites aren’t that spread out, but the fishing was great!"
- Exploring Waterfalls: Don’t miss the stunning waterfalls at Pattison State Park Campground. A visitor said, "The Big Manitou Falls is right there at the campground off the main road."
What campers like:
- Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the large, well-maintained sites at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground. One review stated, "All of the sites are large and spacious with interesting rock features and vegetation that adds to the privacy."
- Clean Facilities: Many have praised the cleanliness of the facilities. A camper at Jay Cooke State Park Campground remarked, "Bathroom and private showers are new, clean, free, and hot."
- Pet-Friendly Options: If you’re traveling with pets, you’ll find several campgrounds that allow them. A visitor at Burlington Bay Campground mentioned, "The campground is pet friendly."
What you should know:
- Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. One camper at Jay Cooke State Park Campground warned, "It was buggy (mosquitoes) but fire and bug spray kept it manageable."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Amnicon Falls State Park Campground, may not have showers. A review noted, "There are clean toilets, but no showers."
- Noise Levels: Campgrounds near highways, such as Burlington Bay Campground, can be noisy. One camper said, "Very noisy from highway traffic."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Secluded Sites: Look for sites that offer more privacy. A family camper at Spirit Mountain Campground shared, "We spent 2 nights at the back of the campgrounds in the most secluded area."
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of family-friendly activities. One camper at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "We found this amazing picnic and hiking trail super close to the campgrounds."
- Pack Bug Spray: Protect your family from bugs. A visitor at Jay Cooke State Park Campground advised, "We had bug spray and mosquito nets."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground noted, "Sites are very large with gravel parking."
- Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, which can be a lifesaver. A camper at Pattison State Park Campground mentioned, "Huge, wonderful pull-thru sites."
- Plan for Dump Stations: Some campgrounds don’t have dump stations. A visitor at Jay Cooke State Park Campground said, "Only bummer is the lack of dump/fill station onsite."
Camping near Knife River, Minnesota, has something for everyone. Whether you’re in an RV or tent, you’ll find great spots to enjoy the outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Knife River, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Knife River, MN is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 69 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Knife River, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Knife River, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.