Best Cabin Camping near Tofte, MN

Sawbill Lake Campground and East Bearskin Lake Campground offer rustic cabin accommodations within Superior National Forest near Tofte. The cabins at East Bearskin Lake include picnic-style tables inside along with bunk bed sleeping areas and foam sleeping pads, though guests must bring their own linens. "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," noted one visitor. These structures provide shelter from the elements without electricity or heat, making them suitable for those seeking a more primitive cabin experience while still having protection from weather conditions.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location. Hungry Jack Lodge & Campground provides more amenity-rich cabin options with kitchens and cooking equipment. Lamb's Resort and Wildhurst Campgrounds also offer cabin rentals with varying levels of amenities. Reservations are essential, particularly during summer months from May through October when most facilities operate at capacity. According to one camper, "We stayed in 2 different cabins. Fox and Beaver. Very nice. Clean. Private. It was quiet. Peaceful. Beautiful views of the lake." Pet policies vary by location, with many cabins allowing dogs for an additional fee.

Most cabins require visitors to bring their own bedding, towels, and personal items. While rustic forest service cabins typically have minimal amenities, private resort cabins often include more comforts. Hungry Hippie Campground offers canvas-walled cabins with air mattresses, providing a middle ground between tent camping and fully enclosed cabins. Cooking facilities range from basic fire rings with grates to full kitchens in the more developed cabins. The Bearskin Lodge area provides access to nearby dining options, with one visitor noting, "The restaurant on the grounds had great food too." Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, though prices and availability vary seasonally.

Best Cabin Sites Near Tofte, Minnesota (17)

    1. Lamb's Resort

    12 Reviews
    Schroeder, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 663-7292

    "Nice clean bathroom and great showers that have an extra DRY SPACE and a chair to change into fresh dry clothes.

    Campground is well maintained, sites in the woods are spaced apart."

    "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."

    2. Sawbill Lake Campground - Superior National Forest

    12 Reviews
    Lutsen, MN
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 663-7150

    $10 - $20 / night

    "Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit with a grate.

    The outfitters on site are amazing. Kind and helpful. They have pay showers and all the rentals you need."

    "Perfect little campground (and outfitters) right in the lake. Great for those who still want a few amenities.

    It’s a dry campground. Water at the outfitters. Vault toilets (clean and nice!)"

    3. Wildhurst Campgrounds

    6 Reviews
    Finland, MN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 353-7337

    "A great campsite just a few minutes from the main highway up the coast of lake superior."

    "A little expensive but worth it for the secluded site not far from the showers. Bar/office super friendly"

    4. Wildhurst Lodge and Campground

    5 Reviews
    Finland, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 353-7337

    "Had awesome sites, ATV/UTV trails, a bar, a playground, and rentable cabins. Sites are secluded and pretty private. Campground also has clean bathrooms."

    "We stumbled upon this campground when every other campground near Tettegouche was full by noon on Friday. About a twenty minute drive from the park. Great spot."

    5. Eighteen Rustic Lake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Finland, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 626-4300

    "Clean  Nice walking trail around the lake. Vault restroom clean."

    "Lake is clear and looks like very good fishing. Does not have a boat launch. There are three campsites that are decently big and you could fit two-three cars."

    6. Judge C. R. Magney State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Grand Marais, MN
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 387-3039

    $20 / night

    "This is a rustic state park with no electric sites, dump station or water source for RV tanks, as well as nearly non-existent cell service, but it's a pleasant getaway spot."

    "Judge Magney State Park, Minnesota 

       This is a small state park near the shores of Lake Superior. Off Hwy 61, North of Grand Marais."

    7. Hungry Jack Lodge & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Grand Marais, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 388-2265

    "We stayed in 2 different cabins. Fox and Beaver. Very nice. Clean. Private. It was quiet. Peaceful. Beautiful views of the lake. The staff was very friendly."

    "It was unfortunate because I think there were much better sites available. The lodge is great and has very friendly staff and a really great bar."

    8. East Bearskin Lake Campground

    15 Reviews
    Grand Marais, MN
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 388-2292

    $24 - $86 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    9. Lax Lake Resort

    1 Review
    Silver Bay, MN
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 353-7424

    $38 - $125 / night

    "We called around to a few campground, and luckily the owner at Lax Lake said they had a spare tent pad available, not normally reservable."

    10. Hungry Hippie Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grand Marais, MN
    35 miles
    Website

    $29 - $59 / night

    "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."

    "I loved having our own dedicated lounge space upstairs."

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Cabin Reviews near Tofte, MN

112 Reviews of 17 Tofte Campgrounds


  • Jessica H.
    May. 10, 2018

    East Bearskin Lake Campground

    East Bearskin Lake Campground Camper Cabins

    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.

  • Krista T.
    Jun. 9, 2020

    Hungry Hippie Campground

    Best budget experience on the North Shore

    I love Grand Marais- and it has been made even better by the couple who started the Hungry Hippie Hostel and Hungry Hippie Tacos(made with fry bread). 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:)

  • Krista T.
    Aug. 20, 2024

    Hungry Hippie Campground

    Fantastic offerings

    Recently 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!

  • Krista T.
    Jul. 16, 2018

    East Bearskin Lake Campground

    Great last-minute find

    I 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.

  • Carrie C.
    May. 18, 2021

    Silver Rapids Lodge

    Ely, Mn

    We stayed here last June with our large family. My bf and I stayed 2 nights in a cabin and tent camped 2 nights on a camp site. This area has great access to many lakes including the BWCA along with being close to Ely for anything you may have forgotten. Silver Rapids Lodge itself has a bar/restaurant right by campground along with many other amenities. Many cabins to choose from from 4-6 ppl all the way up to a 24 person cabin!! Good fishing and lots of areas to do so without a boat, if you don’t have a boat and would like to rent one SRL offers boat rentals. Small swimming area and play place for kids. Pet friendly, clean, and nice hosts.

  • Krista T.
    Oct. 9, 2018

    Hungry Hippie Campground

    Hidden gem with a great hillside view of Lake Superior

    Kate 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.

  • Evan G.
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Wildhurst Campgrounds

    Quiet, convenient, and friendly

    A great campsite just a few minutes from the main highway up the coast of lake superior. There's a bar with a kitchen where you check in to the campsite filled with friendly people, games, and great food. But enough about that, the campsite itself is very private with a spot to park you car, and you are surrounded by trees and bushes for each individual campsite. A fire pit and picnic table can be found at each site. There is potable water, showers, and an outhouse. Ice, firewood, and limited camping supplies are available for purchase at the bar.

  • Les R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters

    nice cabins near the boundary waters

    We stayed in one of the small cabins. The programming offered here was awesome. We signed up for a educational workshop about birds and bird calls, and it was essentially a private class for just us 4. The restaurant on the grounds had great food too. We enjoyed swimming and paddling on the lake. The only downside is that the cabins were pretty close next to each other, so we could hear our neighbors throughout the night.

  • Ari A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2021

    Judge C. R. Magney State Park Campground

    Pleasant rustic getaway

    This is a rustic state park with no electric sites, dump station or water source for RV tanks, as well as nearly non-existent cell service, but it's a pleasant getaway spot. It felt like a rustic forest campground but had amenities like a bathroom/shower house. Regarding water, there is drinking water available to fill containers, just no hookup to fill RV tanks. They also have trash and recycling dumpsters available.

    The sites are decent size; privacy depends on the site but most aren't crammed on top of each other. All sites are dirt/gravel and the roads are dirt so be prepared for some dust in dry conditions.

    We saw mostly tents and smaller rigs but that's probably due to no electricity and no water source for RVs to fill from. Still, some sites were large enough for the Class As that were there.

    Bathrooms were decent but be ready for push-button showers for water conservation. They run long enough to essentially do Navy showers, which works fine. Water never really hot but plenty warm enough to not be considered cold.

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, plus firewood is available at the front office or at the camp host site (via self-service). Front office rarely staffed but there is a work garage and the DNR staff came through the campground regularly. Little to no cell service on T-Mobile and Verizon, but there is a WiFi spot available near the DNR work garage.

    It's nice that you can hike from the campground to Devil's Kettle and another waterfall (same trail), both of which were great.

    Access is from Highway 61 down a relatively short dirt road We would stay here again.


Guide to Tofte

Superior National Forest surrounds Tofte, Minnesota with over 3 million acres of wilderness extending to the Canadian border. Elevations range from 600 to 2,300 feet, creating varied terrain for cabin stays and camping. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer highs typically reach the 70s, making cabin accommodations particularly valuable during colder months.

What to do

Lake exploration: Day canoe rentals at Sawbill Lake Campground allow visitors to paddle without committing to a multi-day journey. "We usually do a day canoe rental when we visit and the staff at the outfitters are wonderful. Very nice and helpful - again never a bad experience!" notes Kara K.

Hiking: Devil's Kettle Falls at Judge C. R. Magney State Park features unusual geology where water disappears into rock. "Be warned lots of stairs but excellently maintained," advises Scott G. The park includes "a nice hike. Long trail, lots of beautiful scenery to see on the way," according to Catherine J.

Stargazing: Clear night skies offer excellent viewing opportunities away from city lights. At Hungry Hippie Campground, visitors appreciate that "it was nice and dark, no light pollution. We are stargazers and really enjoyed the night sky," reports Kt D.

What campers like

Waterfront access: Private lake entry points enhance the experience for swimmers. At Lamb's Resort, "the smooth pebble beach is fantastic. Our dogs loved running up and down the beach and playing on the shore," shares Jason S.

Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers remain a priority for many visitors. Lamb's Resort campers note that "the showers and bathrooms were clean. The playground had enough equipment to keep our children busy with plenty to do while we prepared meals."

Lake views: Cabins positioned for optimal scenery receive high marks from guests. At Hungry Jack Lodge & Campground, visitors report: "We stayed in 2 different cabins. Fox and Beaver. Very nice. Clean. Private. It was quiet. Peaceful. Beautiful views of the lake."

What you should know

Reservation timing: Book early for best site selection, especially for lakefront locations. At East Bearskin Lake Campground, "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," according to one visitor.

Cabin amenities: Canvas-walled options provide an intermediate experience between tents and solid cabins. At Hungry Hippie Campground, "We chose to stay in tent#1, which is the furthest tent on the property... it has more privacy - the front of the canvas tents are just a screen wall."

Water quality: Bring bottled water as tap sources can be inconsistent. At East Bearskin Lake, "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."

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities: Shoreline exploration offers hours of engagement for younger children. "Our boys, age 5 and 3, spent hours throwing rocks in the lake," explains a parent who stayed at Lamb's Resort.

Playground access: Select sites near play areas to minimize walking for tired children. Wildhurst Campgrounds includes "a bar with a kitchen where you check in to the campsite filled with friendly people, games, and great food," making it convenient for families needing entertainment options.

Hiking difficulty: Choose appropriate trails based on children's abilities and stamina. A parent visiting Judge C. R. Magney State Park advises that "if you are not in shape you will definitely want to take advantage of the rest bench that is about halfway up the staircase."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Check site dimensions before booking to ensure adequate space. At Wildhurst Lodge and Campground, "sites are tight for larger rigs. Gravel road in is rough so go slow," advises Sandra.

Road conditions: Plan travel time accounting for gravel and remote access roads. "Road coming to the campground can be rough in places, but doable with passenger car," notes a visitor to Eighteen Rustic Lake Campground.

Utilities: Confirm hookup availability as offerings vary widely. Lamb's Resort receives positive reviews from RVers, with visitors noting that "tent campers and RVs are separate to minimize noise," though some observe that "RVs were close together."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Tofte, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Tofte, MN is Lamb's Resort with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Tofte, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 17 cabin camping locations near Tofte, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.