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Camping near Tofte, MN

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    Camping in the Tofte area of Minnesota encompasses a range of options from established campgrounds to dispersed sites along Lake Superior's North Shore. Superior National Forest provides several camping areas, including Sawbill Lake Campground located about 15 miles northwest of Tofte, which accommodates tents, RVs, and offers cabin rentals. The region includes state parks like Temperance River and Cascade River, providing developed sites with amenities such as showers, drinking water, and electric hookups, while more remote options like Last Creek Kayak Site offer primitive boat-in camping experiences.

    Permits and reservations are required for most established campgrounds in the area, with many sites bookable up to six months in advance. The camping season generally runs from May through October, though some campgrounds like Temperance River State Park remain open year-round. Winter camping is available at select locations, including George H. Crosby Manitou State Park. Roads to campgrounds vary from paved highways to rough forest service roads, with some remote sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. Cell phone coverage is limited throughout the region, particularly in backcountry areas. A visitor commented, "Expect a 13 mile gravel road from Tofte. No dump, no water and no electric hookups. There are several clean bathrooms with hand sanitizer and drinking water stations."

    Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with Lake Superior shoreline sites and inland lake access being particularly sought after. Several campgrounds feature hiking trails connecting to the Superior Hiking Trail and Border Route Trail, providing opportunities for day hikes or backpacking trips. Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors reporting moose, fox, and hearing loons at night. Mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV camping are prevalent throughout the area. During peak summer months and fall color season, campgrounds fill quickly. One camper noted, "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."

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    Best Campgrounds near Tofte (172)

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      1. Temperance River State Park Campground

      4.7(47)2mi from Tofte57 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $24 - $34 / night

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      2. Cascade River State Park Campground

      4.5(42)17mi from Tofte45 sitesRVs, Tents

      "This is a great campground in a beautiful state park adjacent to lake Superior on the North Shore."

      "Cascade River is one of my favorite Minnesota State Parks. Located between Grand Marais and Duluth in Lutsen, Mn. There is a set of 5 small waterfalls and then Cascade Falls that are spectacular."

      from $22 - $50 / night

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      3. Lamb's Resort

      4.8(13)4mi from TofteRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Sites closer to Lake Superior are tight, some are VERY SHORT and tent sites only. Good electric power and water at the site we were at.

      Two nice beaches and a river at the campground."

      "We stayed at site 49, which was a short walk to the beach. Our boys, age 5 and 3, spent hours throwing rocks in the lake."

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      4. George H. Crosby Manitou State Park Campground

      4.7(23)14mi from Tofte20 sitesTents

      "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."

      from $20 / night

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      5. Baptism River Campground — Tettegouche State Park

      4.7(53)23mi from Tofte33 sites

      "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."

      from $25 - $35 / night

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      6. Toohey Lake Rustic Campground

      4.6(7)11mi from TofteRVs, Tents

      "I only stayed one night, but watching the sunset on the lake from my campsite was wonderful! It’s pretty easy to get too."

      "We had taken a spot at Four-Mile Lake but it was not near the lake, so the next day we walked the mile to Toohey, which had been full the day before."

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      7. Ninemile Lake Campground

      4.6(5)11mi from Tofte28 sitesRVs, Tents

      "The campground is located in the Superior National Forest along County Road 7 North of Finland, Minnesota. There are 20+ campsites available, with about half with direct lake access."

      "The sites were all a good size and surrounded by trees. I could barely see any of our neighbors, they were far away and kept from view. Bathrooms are clean and management is really kind and helpful."

      from $18 / night

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      8. Grand Marais Campground & Marina

      4.3(32)26mi from TofteRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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."

      "Most folks are here with RVs, but there are three separate sections for tent camping only: one right on the lakeshore, one right on the bike path, and one tucked into the woods up the hill to the south"

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      9. Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest

      4.6(13)20mi from Tofte53 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "The biffy was clean and there were multiple clean water pumps located around the campground."

      "Beautiful campsite, gorgeous location, and the canoe outfitters is within walking distance in case you want to shower, buy some food, supplies, or head into the BWCA!"

      from $10 - $20 / night

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      10. Eckbeck Finland State Forest

      4.3(19)23mi from TofteRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $17 / night

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    Recent Camping Photos near Tofte, MN

    368 Photos of 172 Tofte Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Tofte, MN

    792 Reviews of 172 Tofte Campgrounds

    • Josh Z.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 14, 2026

      Lake Superior Cart-in Campground — Tettegouche State Park

      Best Camp Site in MN

      We stayed at Cart In Site E in July of 2024 and WOW, this has to be the best camp site in Minnesota! Incredible views, very private, much shorter hike in than K which we stayed at in June of 2022. By far my favorite camp site of all time. Camp site is 5 stars, but again the shower house is only in the main camp ground and very small and out dated. We drove to Cascade River and Temperance to shower since we headed up the shore each day anyway.

    • Josh Z.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 14, 2026

      Lake Superior Cart-in Campground — Tettegouche State Park

      Great Cart In Campsites!

      The campsite was awesome and had a vault toilet right at the end of the trail, camp site J entrance was right by ours but traffic was pretty light. Quite the hike out to our site but the views were totally worth it! Only negative was the only shower house is in the main campground and they are probably the most out dated showers on the entire north shore.

    • Crystal R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 11, 2026

      Devil Track Lake Campground

      Rustic off grid camping

      I thought it was a very nice campground! Be aware it's fairly rustic. No electric sites, no water, no flushing toilets. Just a vault toilet. Also I had no service anywhere in the campgrounds (t mobile) and my friend didn't either (Verizon). But many of the sites have views or even access to the lake. Most are fairly big. It's not reaervable, so first come, first serve. My only complaint is the ground was mainly rock. So putting in my tent stakes was very hard. My canopy ended up blowing over because I couldn't stake it down. So beware.

    • Nicholas S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 7, 2026

      Temperance River State Park Campground

      Cozy, lakeside, convenience

      Super well looked after campsite!

      First of all - Temperance says ‘no more than 6 ppl’ ‘no alcohol’ etc. but these are very lightly enforced. I communicated with them ahead of time about our 8 person group, and they had no issue - just make sure that your tents and cars at the site are no more than 3 total. The lower campground is right on superior, but the upper campground has great views of it too, and is only a few minutes hike down a paved path away.

      This place has private WARM shower cubicles, firewood available at the rangers office, and plenty of water spouts. Overall great amenities, and a very nice shoreline area where you can do a little polar plunge into the lake (which I strongly endorse !! ).

      Site 12 at the upper campground was plenty big enough for three tents and all 8 of us. Lower campgrounds really cool too, but right on the rivers edge so I imagine it can get pretty windy.

    • Tia W.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 31, 2026

      Lake Superior Overlook at Northshore Park

      Overnight Car Camp

      We stopped here to stop for the night to sleep. There is a lot for larger RVs and two more parking lots for smaller vehicles.

      We parked in one of the lots at the top of the viewpoint. Nice short trails to walk the dog with views of the lake and the town.

      No restrooms or traditional camping set up.

    • Patrick W.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 30, 2026

      Point Detour Wilderness Campground

      Perfect Rustic Campsite.

      The staff at the hotel where you registered to camp there was wonderful and helpful. They tell you the campsite is rustic and there’s no water and electricity and it’s exactly how they describe it. The outhouse was clean though rustic but it does have a light. The sites have fire rings and a picnic table. On Memorial weekend, there was only one other set of campers each night. I was there. If you wanna remote location that’s right on Lake superior this is a great site. If you want amenities, this is not the place to go. But I give it five stars for what it is a great rustic primitive campsite.

    • Scott N.
      May. 27, 2026

      Little Isabella River Campground

      RV camping Memorial Day ‘26

      This campground is a great place for RV dry camping. We have a 28’ camper and squeezed it into site 11. Sites 8-10 would have been better for us. The depth of the site wasn’t the issue, but rather the narrow road and tight entrance to the site. The neighbors ran their generator and had their music loud until well after midnight.

      The Little Isabella River was just down a short trail from our site. The bugs were as to be expected this time of year. We brought a screen tent and were able to enjoy the cool evenings. There is one bar a mile and a half away, but you are about 50 minutes from anything else.

      Good spot.

    • Athan D.
      Mar. 3, 2026

      Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground

      beautiful & brutal winter camping spot

      As far as winter camping goes- Gooseberry Falls offers some striking pros and considerable cons. 

      Pros: 

      • No crowds/traffic
      • The bluffs, trees, and lake are stunning, even under three feet of snow
      • The winter camping spots are very close to the vault toilets
      • Visitor center (with fireplace) is open year-round.
      • After sundown, you'll likely have the park to yourself. Having dinner & a fire in the Lady Slipper Lodge is pretty remarkable.

      Cons: 

      • Cold. 
      • Cold. 
      • Wind makes it even colder. 
      • Few trails are maintained for hiking after snowfall- bring snowshoes/skis.
      • It's easy to die. Lake Superior will truly take your breath away.
      • Getting drinking water (and keeping it unfrozen) takes effort. 

      Suggestions:

      • Watch the forecast. 

      • Come with extra food, layers, and hand warmers. 

      • Take care near the water- a slip and wet socks can lead to frostbite sooner than you'd expect. 

      • Make sure your tank is full when you leave Duluth, so that you can use your car as a heating pod if all else fails.

    Guide to Tofte

    Camping sites near Tofte, Minnesota range from established sites to primitive locations across Superior National Forest's 3.9 million acres. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with winter lows often dropping below zero and summer highs reaching the 70s. Woodland campsites typically sit on rocky, glaciated terrain between 1,600-2,300 feet elevation, with most campgrounds accessible from May through October.

    What to do

    Paddle the lakes: Sawbill Lake Campground serves as an entry point to Boundary Waters Canoe Area. "Perfect little campground (and outfitters) right in the lake. Great for those who still want a few amenities... Canoe rentals too. Campground is right in sawbill lake. Lord of portages nearby," notes Tracy O.

    Explore waterfalls: Cascade River State Park Campground offers waterfall hikes. "The park itself are beautiful and lead you right down to the shore of Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail travels through this park. Lookout Mountain is my favorite hike on the North Shore by far!" reports Andrea S.

    Winter camp: For cold-weather enthusiasts, George Crosby Manitou State Park remains open year-round. "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. It seems that there are different types of forest that you hike through to get to different camp sites," says Hayley G.

    Rock climbing: Access rock climbing areas from Baptism River Campground. "Great access to trails from campground," writes Terri L., while another camper noted they "went up top to scenic overlook where lots of rock climbers were climbing!"

    What campers like

    Lakeside tent sites: Lamb's Resort features waterfront camping. "We had a wonderful time at Lamb's Resort... The owners were available for questions and our site was perfect! We stayed at site 49, which was a short walk to the beach. Our boys, age 5 and 3, spent hours throwing rocks in the lake," shares Sara P.

    Secluded spots: Toohey Lake Rustic Campground offers quiet camping. "This rustic campground within the Superior National Forest is one of the many great options available in the area. There are 7 sites available, vault toilet and a boat launch. All the sites have a pull in area a tent pad spot an picnic table," explains Mel G.

    Free camping options: Finland State Forest Eckbeck Campground provides budget-friendly sites. "Excellent litle primitive campground. First come, no reservations, cash or cheque for payment only. Every spot for camping had a very sound fire ring and flat area for tents," says Arctic D.

    Hiking trail access: Several campers praise the trail connections. "Most of the sites are pretty wooded, you won't get a lot of sunlight," explains Ryan G. about George Crosby Manitou State Park, adding "There was mention of a bear pole for hanging food but we didn't see anything of the sort. There was plenty of deadfall in the area for firewood."

    What you should know

    Campsite reservations: Grand Marais Campground & Marina fills quickly. "RV sites are hard to get! Get a jump on a rez in January. Clarify if it has sewer- ours didn't," advises PJ F.

    Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Baptism River Campground, "Dated shower house, but very clean!" reports Jamie M. Meanwhile, at Ninemile Lake, "The bathroom facilities were all redone in 2017 and are great!"

    Road conditions: Expect gravel roads to remote sites. "Good dirt roads going on, only a couple pot holes. Has good lake access for boats/pups, and nice shading in the trees," shares Truly W. about Ninemile Lake Campground.

    Bear awareness: Several campgrounds require food storage precautions. "There was not a bear locker and I had to hang my bag," notes Sara A. about George Crosby Manitou State Park.

    Tips for camping with families

    Beach access: Ninemile Lake Campground offers kid-friendly swimming. "Huge site with many trees for our hammocks. The mosquitoes were ravenous but we had a screen tent. The toilets were really clean. It was a delight to have a beach right at our site," says Kay K.

    Playground options: Some campgrounds provide play areas. "The playground had enough equipment to keep our children busy with plenty to do while we prepared meals," notes Sheri F. about Lamb's Resort.

    Easy hikes: Look for trails suitable for young hikers. "Good for younger kids - well-maintained trails and fun facts about the foam created in the river and the rock formations evident in the park!" recommends Maria P. about Cascade River State Park.

    Wildlife viewing: Kids often enjoy animal sightings. "We saw moose tracks," reports Hayley G. about winter camping at Sawbill Lake Campground.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: At Temperance River State Park Campground, location matters. "I camped in the Lower Campground #45. Small campground must serve as overflow for the Upper Campground. Pit toilets. However, the shower house and modern facilities are just a short jaunt over in the Upper CG," advises Charyle C.

    Electrical hookups: Some sites offer limited services. "Site #20e was perfect for our 5th wheel camper, and had easy access to both the high falls and two step falls," reports Jamie M. about Baptism River Campground.

    Dump stations: Plan for waste disposal. "You fill with water near the restroom in the campground next to the bath house across from the dumpsters. The only downfall is no dump station yet there is a dump station up the road in Silver Bay for a donation," explains B M.

    Leveling challenges: Some sites require equipment for leveling. "It was not level so it was a bit tricky leveling the RV, but that was the only down side," notes Micky M. about Toohey Lake.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What services does the Tofte Ranger District offer for campers?

    The Tofte Ranger District, which manages camping areas in Superior National Forest, provides several essential services for campers. They issue wilderness permits for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, accessible from campgrounds like East Bearskin Lake Campground, which features camper cabins ideal for wilderness exploration. The district maintains hiking trails, including access to the Border Route Trail which follows the international border with Canada. Rangers provide updated information on trail conditions, fire restrictions, and wildlife activity. The district office can assist with campsite reservations for developed campgrounds, offer maps of dispersed camping areas, and provide educational materials about local ecology, safety, and Leave No Trace principles.

    What are the best seasons for camping in Tofte, Minnesota?

    Late summer through early fall offers ideal camping conditions near Tofte. September-October provides spectacular fall colors with fewer insects, as noted at Superior National Forest Fall Lake Campground where campers enjoy peak foliage with minimal bugs. Baptism River Campground at Tettegouche State Park is particularly beautiful during this season. While summer brings warmer temperatures ideal for swimming in Lake Superior, June and July campers should prepare for intense mosquitoes, especially at places like Crescent Lake Campground. Spring camping (May) can offer solitude but may include muddy trails at some locations like Hogback Lake. Winter camping is possible for experienced adventurers, with some sites remaining accessible for cold-weather exploration of the frozen wilderness landscape.

    Where can I find campgrounds near Tofte, Minnesota?

    Tofte offers excellent camping options along Minnesota's North Shore. Temperance River Campground (Superior NF) provides beautiful sites above the river with connecting trails, and is just a short drive from Tofte. For those seeking a lakeside experience, Sawbill Lake Campground offers drive-in and walk-in sites with amenities including toilets and water access. Other nearby options include Cascade River State Park Campground with hiking trails along waterfalls and Lake Superior access, and Crescent Lake Campground, which accommodates larger RVs up to 50 feet. The area also features numerous backcountry campsites for those seeking more remote experiences, particularly along the Border Route Trail and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

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