Best Tent Camping near Tofte, MN

We were tent camping and although most of the campground is geared towards RVs, they do have sites for tents only. We chose to stay in a tent site in the RV area since it was close to Lake Superior. There was also a nice secluded tent only area on a wooded hill which would be a good choice if you prefer less hustle bustle. The big attraction for this place is that it is easy walking distance from town where there are many interesting shops, restaurants and sites to see!

This is a huge community campground within the village of Grand Marais, right on the harbor. 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. We always do tent camping, and had intended to go to Magney State Park nearby but they were filled for the weekend, so we reluctantly decided to try the town campground and were pleasantly surprised. Although the RV sites are jam-packed close together in the open throughout most of the campground, the forest tent sites are private, quiet, spacious, well wooded, and I would say comparable to the sites at Magney. We were at one of the smaller tent sites, but most are pretty big, the one called Honeymoon Hill is really great, ask for that if you can! The tent area does have drinking water but the toilets are just porta potties, though they are very clean and well kept. There is a full bath house down the hill about 1/4 mile walk, good facilities but heavily used and it got a bit muddy very quickly after the rain Sunday morning. The main advantage of this campground is great location on Lake Superior and Grand Marais Harbor, easy biking and walking distance into the village with all its amenities, and easy driving distance to numerous trailheads and other outdoor opportunities, so overall a pleasant surprise and an excellent alternate if area state parks are filled.

Tent camp sites not too close. The view of Lake Superior was stunning. If you want to get to the Lake it is a hike down and then only a view and not up close. The hike to the falls was a short walk with fantastic views. The North Shore has so many places to visit.

Been there twice in the last few years. Last time, in late Sept, we had the place to ourselves. It was peaceful and lovely. This time (mid Sept) and it was a friggin zoo. The place was packed with large RVs, several of which had drunken, stupidly loud hooting and hollering yahoos taking it into the night. There is a separate tent camping area that is isolated from the main area by some trees but unfortunately not enough to block the noise.  The tent camping sites are not isolated from each other-just a long strip of lawn with about 6 sites or so. 

Nice supply of quality firewood and pay to spray shower (closed this year probably due to the pandemic). There is a nice, new modern bathroom facility for the Little Sand Bay park right next to the campgrounds.

This is a private campground adjacent to a Lodge off the Gunflint Trail. If you are wanting something less rustic than one of the nearby Forest Service campgrounds, and you don't mind paying a little more, then this may be for you. Current rates are $39 a night per campsite, plus an additional $5 a night if you have a dog, which adds up to a bit of a  steep price if you are tent camping. However, the sites do have electrical hooups and other amenities preferred by RV campers which arent found in the basic Forest Service campgrounds nearby, so that may be a plus. If tent camping by yourself, or wanting close proximity to food, lodge amenities, boat rental, etc, then you might find it is worth it. The campsites are very nice, and there is good fishing in the lake plus nice hiking trails nearby!

LARGE campground! Right on Lake Superior. Sites are close together. Some nicely located TENT sites by the lake, can hear the waves. Very easy walk on paved trail into town. Men’s bathroom was very clean. Showers are in great shape.

We camped in a cart-in site, with privacy and a beautiful view of Lake Superior. It is a splendid place for tent camping.

The MN Historical Society runs the tours and manages a visitor center for the lighthouse. Go up in the lighthouse and look around the lighthouse keepers home from a hundred years ago.

We've stayed here everytime we go up to the BWCA.  Typically we arrive on a Sunday night and then leave early Sunday AM for Gunflint outfitters down the road.  The campsites are great and the staff is absolutely AMAZING!  FYI, we tent camp.  Haven't stayed in any of their lodges so I can't speak to that

This campground is our go-to place to stay on our summer visits to Grand Marais. We usually stay in the wooded tent sites on the hill which provides nice shade, protection from the frequent winds off of Lake Superior, and a little bit of privacy. When we stayed in site W213R in June 2018, I could still see glimmers of the lake through the trees. They have portapotties and potable water on the hill, and it’s only a short walk down the hill to the bathhouse.

When you first come up the hill to the tent sites, the first path to the right of the split leads to a little creek where the kids love to go and explore.

The tent sItes in the lower campground are open, have few trees, and you are likely to be next to an RV, but it could be worth it to wake up to the sound of the waves and a vIew of the bay. The sites closest to open water (not the bay) have bushes that block the view of the lake, but are necessary for the frequent wind.

The staff in the office have always been friendly and helpful to me. They also sell wood, have some camping supplies for sale, firewood, and they used to have a take-a-book/leave-a-book inside, but I haven’t looked for that for a couple years. There is online booking and pictures of many of the sites on their website.

It’s a nice walk around the bay into town. Some of our favorite places are Voyager Brewing Company, World’s Best Donuts, Gunflint Tavern on the Lake, Angry Trout Restaurant, North House Folk School (feel free to walk through, check out their available classes onlIne, and book a ride to sail on their 50 foot steel schooner, the Hjordis), Drury Lane Bookstore, My Sister’s Place Restaurant, walking out to Artist’s Point and the lighthouse, and visiting the multiple state parks within a short drive. Many have waterfalls.

Tent “lakeside” site is an open court yard setting which is a little strange. All sites can face The lake. Try and avoid the other tent sites as they are behind fish house in the woods. Those sites are still less than 2 minute walk to lake. Showers are 2 dollars for 8 minutes. Great location for apostle island kayak tours or starting point.

One bogus item or plus item.

County ran so some people pull up and bandant camp.

This campground has a marina and a beach right on Lake Superior. We went in mid September and it was pretty empty. There were about 10 tent only sites and there were campers at only 1 of the other tent sites and they were there only 1 night. I think if it was busy it might feel too crowded because the sites are very close. You had to pay 2 dollars for the showers but the water was hot and you got a good amount of time. The bathrooms were clean.

The Cascade River is a great river to hike from its upper falls area to the mouth at Lake Superior. 5 falls or cascades are all visible from the trails along the river. The campsites are close and most are not level and have only electric hookup. The road in is not big rig friendly with low branches and washboard gravel roads. The hiking trails are well worn so easy to hike safely.  This is a perfect camp for small trailer or tent camping as the sites are shaded. Bath houses are fine and water sources are good. There is a free dump and fill station for campers..a bonus!

This is a  private campground that fills up quick.    It is 1 mile from Bayfield town center.  It is close to the ferry dock, restaurants, parks and beaches.  All sites are electric and water and some are full hook up.  There are cabins and tent sites as well.   The office/store is very clean and stocked with things you may need.  8 flavor ice creams on site!  There is a  dump station and picnic tables and fire rings at each site.   There is free wi-fi and a shower house, bathrooms and laundry.

One of my favorite things about Cascade River is that it has a more modern shower/bathroom facility, so during non-COVID times you basically get your own little shower room with a lockable door instead of a flimsy shower curtain. Another nice thing is that the trails here are great- the waterfalls are easy enough to get to and then you can just keep going if you want to get away from the crowds. So in case you couldn’t tell, I really like this park. The sites are heavily wooded and private. However, a lot of them are on the smaller side, so make sure you do your research on sites if you are coming with an RV or an enormous tent. 

Sites that I like: 5, 6(close to vault toilet), 13, 16, 29, 30, 31, 32(close to bathroom building), 34, 35

This is a great campground in a beautiful state park adjacent to lake Superior on the North Shore. It is a smaller state park, but worth staying at for the beautiful hiking trails along waterfalls, the access to the Superior Hiking Trail and Gitchigamee Bike Trail, Lake Superior, and nearby tons like scenic Grand Marais.  It also may appeal to fly fishermen along the river. There is plenty to do in the park, and it is well situated as a base camp for myriad day trips up and down the shore and into the Superio National Forest. It is more tent friendly than RV oriented, and for those of us who prefer tent camping that is a plus. You must really reserve far ahead in the summer, and fall weekends fill up quickly too, so you may need to look at weekday camping if you have planned much in advance. The Cascade Lodge is tucked into the edge of the state park with hiking trails that connect to it, and there are nice homecooked meals there if you need a break from camp cookery!

Camp Creek skirts the northern edge of Cascade River State Park. Your water access comes from the creek and is accessible either via a 60 second walk to the bridge or if you are lucky enough to get the secluded camp spot down by the creek then you can access it from there. The tent spaces were spread out nicely with a couple larger ones and a couple smaller. The big if about this site is the latrine is very hard to find. It's past a large fallen tree and then back on a trail that is hard to find because it is so overgrown. It appears many have given up trying to find it and just go out in the woods, aka tp was a bit of a mess. The tent sites are on dirt so for us a huge storm rolled thru and our tents were covered in mud for the next mornings pack up. Most of the sites on the SHT are dirt but sometimes we luck out with a nice bed of needles or grass. Some good trees for hammock camping at this site as well.

This is a private campground located a few miles south of Bayfield. It is oriented towards RV camping but also has tent sites. It is very family friendly with play areas, small store with necessities and snacks. It would be particularly good for families or groups of events who are attending summer events (lectures, concerts, workshops) at the nearby Chatauqua Event grounds; in fact, the campground has a designated Chatauqua shuttle stop stop so you dont have to deal with traffic and parking. It is convenient to the town of Bayfield too, so you could easily do a variety if day trips in the area. The RV campsite loop is a bit open with only small trees and not much privacy between, but many RV campers like that for socializing and interacting with neighbors. There is a quieter shady loop towards the back of the campground that tent campers and others who want more peace and quiet might prefer. Note: you should call ahead to make reservations as spots fill quickly especially in Chatauqua season. More importantly, note that the entrance and office close by 6pm and NO ONE who is not already registered is allowed in, no late arrivals!