Wrenshall sits in a transitional zone between the St. Louis River watershed and the Lake Superior basin. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 1,000-1,200 feet, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the seasons. Winter camping near Wrenshall often extends into early May, with overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing even in spring.
What to do
Hiking at Jay Cooke State Park: The Lost Lake backpacking site offers more secluded options than the main campground areas. "Very pretty and secluded! It was pretty buggy and ticks were bad, but that's to be expected. Bog/marsh was beautiful with some wildlife and was generally a very pleasant place to camp," reports Lydia N. from Jay Cooke State Park Campground.
Canoeing from Indian Point: Launch directly from the campground's dock for river access. "We stayed at the campground as it was close to Duluth! We spent most of the time in Duluth in Canal Park! At the campsite they have information about renting canoes and kayaks as well," notes Anne G. from Indian Point City Campground.
Mountain biking at Spirit Mountain: Trails connect directly to camping areas for immediate access. "Heavily wooded and beautiful! Very close to Duluth. It is a mountain bikers paradise. Loved it!" writes Michelle P. about the trails at Spirit Mountain Campground.
Fishing from Knife Island: The wooden bridge connecting to the island provides unique fishing spots. "The campground has an island you can take a wooden bridge over too that offers some fishing spots and a nice little walking trail," explains Tori K. from Knife Island Campground.
What campers like
Waterfall access: Manitou Falls provides a dramatic natural feature within walking distance. "Manitou Falls is a short walk away and is incredible. Bring firewood," advises Jim H. from Pattison State Park Campground.
Campground privacy: Many sites offer substantial tree cover between neighbors. "Every campsite seems to be well-treed and relatively private, providing a perfect atmosphere to just enjoy nature from your campsite," notes Krista T. from Jay Cooke State Park.
On-site dining options: Some campgrounds feature unexpected food amenities. "There is a bar and grill on site with a variety of delicious meals and the best chocolate fudge cake I've ever had," shares Melissa C. from Buffalo Valley Camping.
Snowmobile trails: Winter access remains available at certain campgrounds. "There is a snowmobile trail going over the river and into the woods that is a nice walking/hiking trail in the warmer months," describes Annie C. about Spafford City Park.
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks near several campgrounds create nighttime disturbances. "One of the only things that was obnoxious about this park is that there is a frequently used train track nearby - and the trains really lay on whistle. I slept with earplugs in because of this, but I was still woken up around 4 times that night," warns Krista T. about Jay Cooke.
Shower facilities: Pay showers operate at some locations. "We would have given a 5 if we didn't have to pay for our showers. And that there were no coin changers at showers. So we had to go to restaurant to ask them to exchange dollars for quarters," mentions Lyle B. from Buffalo Valley Camping.
Site selection challenges: Some campgrounds have complicated booking systems. "The person who did told me they paid extra to select a specific site, otherwise the owner picks. When they showed up they were told to go to a site other than what they had reserved (and paid extra for)," reports Tori K. from Knife Island Campground.
Tick precautions: Wooded sites require extra vigilance. "The hike in was muddy and buggy as there was quite a bit of rain in the weeks prior to our camping trip," notes Tori K. about Jay Cooke's backpacking sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "Our site was directly across from the playground and the kids playing at the playground were all pre-teens who screamed non-stop," warns Cindy B. from Cloquet-Duluth KOA.
Tent pad surfaces: Some sites have challenging ground conditions. "Our tent pad was really well graveled and made me realize that the standard stakes that came with our tent and bug house need to be upgraded," shares Krista T. about Jay Cooke State Park.
Multiple activity options: Some campgrounds offer diverse recreational facilities. "They also have a spot where they have mini golf, mountain luge, and mountain biking. Nice bathrooms and laid back environment!" notes Jennifer M. about Spirit Mountain.
Site slope considerations: The terrain varies significantly between sites. "There was a big slope to get down to our firepit which we didn't care for. If we would stay again we would book site 50 or 52," advises Melissa H. from Spirit Mountain Campground.
Tips from RVers
Level site availability: Gravel surfaces may require additional leveling. "Site was gravel and a little un-level, but nothing extreme," reports Sam C. about Red Pine Campground (formerly Ogston RV Park).
Hook-up positioning: Utilities aren't always conveniently placed. "Utilities: 20/30/50A electric in back. Sewer located in back and had a non screw-on fitting. Water was located in back, but on door side," details David B. from Red Pine Campground.
Interior road conditions: Access can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Roads are tight for 30+ rigs. Very rutted. Having a ground guide for the tight parking is a must," warns Wayne W. from Knife Island Campground.
Site space limitations: Plan parking configurations carefully. "Most sites did not have enough space for your car, your tent, the fire ring, and a bug house," cautions Krista T. about sites at Jay Cooke State Park.
Traveler
