Flour Lake Campground

The campsite was fine. #7. We had really close neighbors, though. Our tents were pretty well back to back, and the guy snored loudly. Vault toilets that got pretty ripe. Mosquitoes as thick as fog. The gravel road has sinkholes you can break an axle in. Wifi available at the lodge, but be gone by 6pm, because they will come up to your car slapping their flashlight in their palm and kick you out. Beautiful lake with some nice smallmouth.

I was here a while back and decided to give it another whirl during a fall trip to Grand Marais/Gunflint. However a bit of difference this time:

-Online booking showed that it was first come first serve, so we decided to go ahead and try our luck.

-I came with my buddies during mid-late October and we were NOT expecting snowfall [light]

-We arrived and the campground was actually CLOSED for the season!! (Arrived October 19th)

-To our luck though, the owners of the campground (Golden Eagle Lodge) allow you to camp on campgrounds for free but no utilities (water or trash).

-We were still able to use the covered outhouse near our site.

-Virtually no other campers when we got there, but by Fri/Sat/Sun, RV campers started rolling in.

Of course, this experience was way different from my July visit (3 star rating), but considering the fact that the campground was still open when other campgrounds on Gunflint were not (no outhouse/water/trash), it was great because it was free.

-40ish minute drive from Grand Marais.

-Right by Gunflint Scenic Byway. Try to find some Moose!

Site #26 was huge and that’s where we stayed for the trip. Very secluded and near the trail to the lake. No Loons.

Campground did not have that many people in it when I stayed a night here. The grounds were well kept with the fall leaves in full color. I only stayed a night as I was hoping between campgrounds, but I really did like the night here. The sites are fairly secluded which made it nice at night to see the stars and enjoy the fire. This is a rustic campground so no running water but the vaults were well kept. I did not make it to the lodge but it is close by and you can get showered up there and get a meal, which the people I met said they had done and it was worth it. I would say 36 and 37 were really good sites, but there are a lot to choose from depending on what you want and when you go. I would imagine the bugs are bad in the summer months but in the fall they were perfectly at bay. Site 26 is for sure the best site out of the group as it is the most secluded and you can get lost in there with the longer drive into the actual site.

Campground did not have that many people in it when I stayed a night here. The grounds were well kept with the fall leaves in full color. I only stayed a night as I was hoping between campgrounds, but I really did like the night here. The sites are fairly secluded which made it nice at night to see the stars and enjoy the fire. This is a rustic campground so no running water but the vaults were well kept. I did not make it to the lodge but it is close by and you can get showered up there and get a meal, which the people I met said they had done and it was worth it. 

I would say 36 and 37 were really good sites, but there are a lot to choose from depending on what you want and when you go. I would imagine the bugs are bad in the summer months but in the fall they were perfectly at bay. Site 26 is for sure the best site out of the group as it is the most secluded and you can get lost in there with the longer drive into the actual site.

Flour lake was a nice little campground but I’ll lay out why I wasn’t too impressed with it:

-The price doesn’t reflect the campsite. It’s pricier than nearby campsites and the only reason why I booked it anyways was because it was open short notice. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have.

-Campsite #31 was well sized but I could hear and see people nearby. Not as secluded as I thought it was. Not spaced out like some other campsites i’ve been at

-Golden Eagle nearby has overpriced wood and charges for showers.

Pros:

-Loon songs -Lake access and nice spots for stargazing -Enclosed vault toilets were relatively clean -Nicely shaded sites

Tip: book site #26 if you can. It’s the best site on the grounds and most secluded!

We really, really enjoyed our time at Flour Lake. Our campsite was particularly secluded, which was lovely. The lake itself is full of smallmouth, and has a nice little hiking trail along the shore that takes you to nearby Golden Eagle Lodge, where you can rent watercraft, take a shower (for a fee), or grab some supplies. There are several good hikes in the area; Honeymoon Bluff is an absolute must for sunset. You won’t regret it.

Stayed here in early sept 2018. Was a bit chilly at night but beautiful during the day. It’s close to neighboring Golden Eagle lodge. We visited the lodge and the owners were very friendly. The campsites in the park are shaded and decent sized. Short walks to the lake. Off the Gunflint trail and close to Honeymoon bluff, BWCA and so many more amazing places!

Stayed for a week at the Flour Lake campground. Flour Lake campground is ran by concierge through the Golden Eagle resort even though it’s a National Forest campground. The morning of our departure the park host from Golden Eagle Lodge approached us and told us we had to pay extra for an extra vehicle; even though when I booked online it said the vehicle was included. Since the campground is through a concierge they can apparently charge extra for whatever they want and not accept the Annual Integracy Pass, even though it says it does online! We had been at the campground all week and not once did the lodge owner come say anything about any extra fee that we had absolutely no knowledge of, until the last day when we were packing up. Not even a friendly hello or how is everything going, all week! Then he comes up and tells us that we owe extra for an extra vehicle. We had one car and a camper. When booked online it says one vehicle is included with the RV stay!! So we were finishing packing up to leave and dropped the extra charge in their pay box where the guy said to leave it. Leaving the campground we get pulled over by Cook County Sheriff saying the lodge owner called and reported that we didn’t pay the extra amount; which we put in the box before we left like the owner asked!!! The sheriff held us on the side of the road and called the lodge to ask them why they didn’t check the pay box to verify that we didn’t pay. Lodge owner goes and checks the box and my gosh there’s our money in there. So they were going to have us arrested because they didn’t take the time to go check the pay box!!!! That was the big rant. On top of that; the bathrooms were never cleaned and always out of toilet paper, among others numerous issues. Don’t waste your money here there’s better lodges and campground in the area. The lake has no fish either.

Great campground that is very well kept. Not for the casual or starter camper as bears do wander the campground and need to make sure you keep all food cleaned up. Lots of great hiking within walking distance, and easy access to bwca if you want to do day trips.

Been here every year for the last 8 or 9. Only ever had one bad experience (drunk neighbors). Great place to stop!

A few campsites have direct access to the lake via a short trail. Most sites are wooded, shady and private. Golden Eagle Lodge a short distance for fire wood.

Flour lake campground is a great place to get away. There are only a couple sites on the water and no areas to leave a boat in overnight, but the beauty, hiking and access to daily boundary waters treks outweigh the negative.

campsite #33: tent only

I loved the area, beautiful scenery on the way to the campground. Abundant Wildlife.

Campsite was on a hill which was unique. Loon Songs at Night were amazing.

Well kept campground. Only Port-O-Pottys.

However, the wood we purchased from the Golden Eagle Lodge (which is where we were directed to buy wood) was very OverPriced for the tiny bundle we got. It only lasted 20 minutes. Also if you wanted a shower, they charged 6$ per person. (this is the only reason for 3 stars)

(I should note that there was hilarious signs on the way to the lodge that would brighten anyones day.)

Bring Your BugSpray

This was our second stay at Flour Lake and both were excellent! We stayed in site #26 both times. Long site with plenty of room and a perfect little area for the tent. There is also a trail that leads back to the Lake and a little area where we brought our chairs and enjoyed the sunset. Very quiet campground. Close by is the Honeymoon Bluff trail. Very short hike that is well worth it - beautiful views! We also did a day canoe rental from historic Clearwater Lodge. I would highly recommend visiting the Lodge, paddling Clearwater Lake, and also hiking the Palisades Trail if you can. It was an incredible day!