Best Campgrounds near Superior, WI

The western shore of Lake Superior near Superior, Wisconsin features a mix of state parks, city campgrounds, and private facilities catering to various camping styles. Pattison State Park, located directly in Superior, offers year-round camping with both drive-in and walk-in sites for tents and RVs. Just east in Minnesota, Jay Cooke State Park provides additional options with cabins and glamping accommodations. Amnicon Falls State Park, situated in South Range about 15 miles southeast of Superior, maintains a smaller campground with approximately 35 sites nestled among forested terrain. The camping landscape extends north into Duluth, Minnesota where Spirit Mountain Campground and Indian Point City Campground provide convenient access to urban amenities while maintaining proximity to natural areas.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in the Superior region. Most campgrounds operate year-round, though facilities like showers may close during winter months. As one camper noted at Amnicon Falls, "It was very quiet, aside from highway and occasional train noise. The hiking here is beautiful and relatively easy." Summer brings black fly season, particularly problematic for pets, with one reviewer warning: "The black flies are ruthless! By the time we reached the car, there were at least 30 on my dog's back." Spring runoff creates spectacular waterfall viewing at parks like Pattison and Amnicon Falls. Reservations become essential during peak summer months, with many lakeside sites booking months in advance. Winter camping remains available at select locations, offering solitude and unique cold-weather experiences.

Lake Superior views consistently rank as the top feature in camper reviews across the region. Sites with direct lake access command premium prices and earliest reservations. "The proximity to Lake Superior and the view was absolutely gorgeous. We gasped when we got to the site," reported one fall visitor. Campgrounds vary significantly in privacy levels, with state parks generally offering more secluded sites than city or private facilities. Mosquitoes present challenges at inland sites, particularly at Jay Cooke State Park where one camper advised: "Bring bulk bug spray or extra blood." Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural features, with the Superior Hiking Trail and Gitchi-Gami State Trail providing extended recreation opportunities. Facilities range from primitive vault toilets to full-service bathhouses with showers, with amenities typically more limited during off-season periods.

Best Camping Sites Near Superior, Wisconsin (121)

    1. Jay Cooke State Park Campground

    66 Reviews
    Carlton, MN
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 384-4610

    "Jay Cooke is really a must experience state park within easy driving distance to other parks in Minnesota and Wisconsin."

    "This state park is a real gem in terms of its location (near Dulluth, and first in a series of state parks that go up the North Shore of Lake Superior) as well as its educational and recreational opportunities"

    2. Amnicon Falls State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    South Range, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 398-3000

    "It was very quiet, aside from highway and occasional train noise. The hiking here is beautiful and relatively easy."

    "Really close to Superior/Duluth."

    3. Spirit Mountain Campground

    25 Reviews
    Proctor, MN
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 628-2891

    "You ride across the road to acsess the trails. We stayed for a week and it helped that the weather was perfect."

    "The downhill mountain biking is awesome (the kids still want to go back) and the Adventure Park was a lot of fun too - and a short walk from camp. "

    4. Pattison State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    South Range, WI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 399-3111

    "Liked all the possibilities for hiking and the proximity to other State parks in Northern wisconsin. We visited Cooper Falls as well."

    "I live in Wisconsin and it took me this long to come see this state park and the Big Manitou Falls

    Unfortunately they were closed for the season so I had to car camp nearby."

    5. Indian Point City Campground

    14 Reviews
    Proctor, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 628-4977

    "You are so close to the downtown area in this hidden cove. There are walking/biking trails around the grounds. There are few mosquitos and the staff is very friendly."

    "Near city and bike path. Quiet and friendly folks."

    6. Buffalo Valley Camping

    10 Reviews
    Esko, MN
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 624-9901

    "Campground was so clean and nice trails to walk around. The bar & grill had great food and service. 10/10!"

    "Close to downtown Duluth (10 mins.)"

    7. Lakehead Boat Basin

    5 Reviews
    Duluth, MN
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 722-1757

    $57 - $62 / night

    "No privacy from neighbors and side-to-side could be tight quarters depending on the rig (and if it has slides) that is next to you."

    "The main selling point of this campground is the close proximity to the Canal Park area, which has restaurants and shops, as well as the Lakewalk which is a wide, well kept trail that runs along the lake"

    8. Fond du Lac City

    9 Reviews
    Wrenshall, MN
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 780-2319

    "Great place.Plenty to do.People that work there are freindly and helpful.Great mountain bike trails across the road,and hiking trails only right down the road about 6 blocks.Lots of Canoe and kayak rentals.Bath"

    "-kind campground hosts with quiet but well-used atvs

    -easy lake access with docks and shoreline

    -free wifi

    -this is a good day-of campsite if you’re looking for an adventure or a fun story to tell!"

    9. Red Pine Campground

    10 Reviews
    Proctor, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 481-9210

    "We were traveling with friends and the staff (owners I believe) made it work out for us to have sites next to each other.

    Park felt well cared for and attended too."

    "It’s next to Duluth and looks like a city park. Many permanent residents. Very clean and comfortable. I’d stay again if I’m in the area. Now we’re driving north to find a moose."

    10. DECC/ Amsoil Arena RV Parking

    2 Reviews
    Duluth, MN
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 722-5573

    $80 / night

    "You’re basically paying to be close to town, or if you’re seeing a show at one of the nearby venues, to be able to just walk back to your bed after the show. "

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Recent Reviews near Superior, WI

597 Reviews of 121 Superior Campgrounds


  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Penmarallter Campsite

    Nice campground close to Two Harbors

    The campground owner/hosts were very friendly and helpful during our five night stay. Two Harbors is a good provisioning and jumping off point for exploring the North Shore area south of Grand Marais. Some shade but mostly sunny pull through camp sites worked well in the cool Minnesota evenings. You can save $5 a night if you only need 30-Amp electric and water.

  • Christine H.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    North Country Campground

    Expensive but nice

    Owners are very nice, greet you upon arrival, very helpful. Bathroom/shower is very nice. Trampoline & playground on site. Close to the highway so a lot of traffic noise until about midnight. People fly down the road even though the speed limit is 20mph. 3 minutes from Willow River, 45 minutes to Cloquet & Pine City.

  • Cynthia K.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Burlington Bay Campground

    Good base camp for the area

    Large campground run by the city of Two Harbors.

     It has 4 areas of RV camping & 12 primitive tent sites.

     The tent sites by the David Dill area were shady with trees Willow is near the dump station.

     Burlington sites 1-66 have water & electric. There's a row that has lakeside camping. The sites are mostly sunny with some shade. All are close together. There is a lake view. Apparently there's a path with lake access, but not sure which site this was by. 

    The playground is here. Dumpster, dump station & restrooms with showers.

     Agate sites are 67-91. is a loop with full hookup. 73-75, 77, 79,81-84, have beautiful views of the lake, but difficult lake access. Most of this loop is full sun& very close together sites. 

    We were at site 70 & at first I was bummed out not having a lake view. This is my own fault for dithering about what campground I wanted. I was lucky- this was the last site for my dates. I have later found out that someone must have cancelled for this site & I was lucky enough to get it. Reservations fill up quick a year in advance. 

    This site is narrow, but shady. There's foliage to the left separating it from Site 72 (which has a partial lake view) & the back separating it from the Burlington sites. There was a white tail doe walking thru it the first day we were there.

     Sites 67/68 & 70 are close. Our fire pit was only a few feet from site 68's. There's more shade here though.

    Site 69 is somewhat secluded & has shade & easy access to the bathroom. 

    The site across from us was a long site parallel to the road. It was empty the 2 nights we were here.

    Sites 92 to 102 are a little down the road in rows on both sides of the road. Again close together. Full hookup. Just a few feet away from Hwy 61.

     David Dill sites are 1B to 34B These are full hookup sites terraced on a hill. Big rig friendly. There's a bathhouse by the visitor center for David Dill & the tenters.

    Very close together & sunny. They have a pretty good view of the beach & lake. 

    24B to 34B have the best being lowest on the hill. There's a road- then a rocky beach.

     All parts of this campground were full on a Friday/Saturday night. The office has a small gift shop. Open 8am to 8pm during the season. Check in's at noon- which is great! Check out at 11am.

    We did see police patrol occasionally. Hwy 61 is only a few feet away & is VERY loud. There's no Jake brake ordinance for Two Harbors & the truckers are always doing it. 

    This is a busy town!

  • TexasRed (.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Castle Danger

    Great Spot

    Very nice n secluded spot, only had one other person stay there on labor day weekend. There are a couple of designated spots with fire rings, some are harder to get to. The road in is kind of rough but my subie handled it fine. The location on the dirt does take you to a persons property but check out Skips review for a detailed location. Overall great spot and close to a superior hiking trailhead

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Afterhours Meadow

    Quiet but rough terrain

    Nice little field. Would be great if the groud wasn't all sticks and thorns. Good place to sleep. Not for extended camping

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Carrol Truck Trail

    Secluded! But nothing else

    It's a fine place to go to get away from everything. No reason to drive all the way out unless you're trying to camp. There are 3 campsites at the end of the road where the GPS takes you. There are a few other pull offs along the way. I'm guessing all the forest roads around here have sites so even if this one is occupied, there are others close.

    BRING BUG SPRAY! the mosquitoes are no joke

  • Hayli B.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Perch Lake Recreation Area

    4 Night Stay

    We reserved site #4 on the North Loop at Perch Lake Campground - a wonderful place to stay. The sites are relatively private, some have little pathways connecting them. Our site was flat but gravel. Had direct access to the water, which made this site perfect for Kayaking. It appeared most sites had an access point to the water. There’s also a boat launch. There are pit toilets, which were clean and maintained. Downside is there are no showers, have to drive a while to find some. The campground is quiet and provides a relaxing environment. The stars are beautiful at night. No T-mobile cell service within 20 minutes.

  • Hayli B.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Perch Lake Campground (Drummond, WI)

    4 Night Stay in August 2025

    We reserved site #4 on the North Loop at Perch Lake Campground - a wonderful place to stay. The sites are relatively private, some have little pathways connecting them. Our site was flat but gravel. Had direct access to the water, which made this site perfect for Kayaking. It appeared most sites had an access point to the water. There’s also a boat launch. There are pit toilets, which were clean and maintained. The campground is quiet and provides a relaxing environment. The stars are beautiful at night.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Lakehead Boat Basin

    Close to Canal Park area, great facilities

    I enjoyed my urban camping experience at this "campground". You get a double-width parking spot, which is room enough for a trailer and tow vehicle. Each site has a picnic table. There are two groups of sites, the front row and the back row. The front row has better views, and have electric and water hookups. The back row has full hookups.

    The bathroom and shower is part of a hotel which is on the property, and were extremely clean. There are laundry facilities, which worked great and only cost $3 each. 

    The owners are friendly and will enforce quiet hours if asked.

    I had excellent 5G Verizon and T-mobile signals here.

    The main selling point of this campground is the close proximity to the Canal Park area, which has restaurants and shops, as well as the Lakewalk which is a wide, well kept trail that runs along the lake. It's about a 15 minute walk to the Canal Park area. You'll need to cross the lift bridge to get there, which is fun in itself but sometimes you'll need to wait for the bridge to return to operation after letting a ship pass underneath.

    There is a great marine museum in the Canal Park area, and the Great Lakes Aquarium is about 15 minutes further past Canal Park. Downtown is also accessible, probably a 20 minute walk from Canal Park. There are many ramps & stairs linking the Lakewalk to Downtown.

    The urban trails around this area are really great. Plenty of room for walkers and bicyclists.


Guide to Superior

Camping sites near Superior, Wisconsin provide access to a variety of natural environments ranging from forested terrain to riverside settings. The region sits at approximately 600-700 feet above sea level along Lake Superior's southwestern shore. Most campgrounds in the area operate in a seasonal pattern with full amenities available May through October, though some sites remain accessible year-round with limited facilities during winter months.

What to do

Hiking and waterfall exploration: At Amnicon Falls State Park Campground, trails lead to multiple waterfalls and small pools for summer cooling. "Beautiful river with multiple waterfalls and little pools you can soak in if it's warm enough out," notes Margaret R. The park features a wooden covered bridge that crosses over the waterfall system.

Mountain biking: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access for cyclists. Buffalo Valley Camping connects to mountain bike trails and has received positive reviews for its location. "This campground is perfectly located. The grounds are beautiful and it is connected to a Mt. Bike trail," reports Melissa C., who visited during fall.

Paddling opportunities: Riverside camping facilitates water access for canoes and kayaks. Fond du Lac City Campground offers a private boat landing to the St. Louis River, allowing campers to launch directly from their site. "Great place. Plenty to do. Also a huge plus the Campground has a private boat landing to the St. Louis River," writes Crosby W.

Winter recreation: While most reviews focus on warm-weather activities, Spirit Mountain Campground provides winter camping with proximity to skiing and snowboarding facilities. Jordan L. notes, "They are open in winter for skiing and snowboarding as well!"

What campers like

Waterfront proximity: Sites near water consistently receive high ratings from campers. Indian Point City Campground offers riverside sites with dock access. "We stayed at a site that backs up to the river. There is canoe access via a dock and also a fishing dock," reports Shane T., highlighting the direct water access.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities despite their rustic settings. At Pattison State Park Campground, campers appreciate the clean grounds and facilities. "Great campground! Most of the sites are perfect for tent camping or glamping. Clean and each site is well separated and lots of trees," writes Jim H.

Urban accessibility: Camping options with proximity to city amenities appeal to those seeking a balance between outdoor experiences and urban conveniences. Lakehead Boat Basin provides an unusual urban camping option with marina views. Ryan S. notes, "The main selling point of this campground is the close proximity to the Canal Park area, which has restaurants and shops, as well as the Lakewalk which is a wide, well kept trail that runs along the lake."

Woodsy campsites: Buffalo Valley Camping gets praise for its forested setting. "This park has a lot to offer. Nice woodsy spots, plenty of restrooms and showers, and a bar/restaurant!! Tents spots are also really nice," writes Lisa D.

What you should know

Seasonal challenges: Bug populations affect camping experiences significantly through different seasons. At Jay Cooke State Park Campground, Lydia N. reports from her backpacking trip: "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."

Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways and railroads. Kim H. notes about Amnicon Falls: "This park is really nice and the campsites were very well maintained, but it is very close to the highway so you hear a lot of traffic noise."

Reservation systems: While some parks like Red Pine Campground (formerly Ogston RV Park) take reservations, others operate on a first-come basis. Fond du Lac City Campground does not take reservations, as Anni O. explains: "This campground does not take reservations. It is on a first come basis. We had no problem finding a place to park here."

Site privacy variation: Campsite privacy levels vary significantly between and within campgrounds. At Spirit Mountain Campground, Melissa H. advises: "The campgrounds were very private due to tree cover but it rained every night and never dried out because of the tree cover so it's a plus and a minus."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds provide play areas for children. Spirit Mountain Campground offers additional recreational opportunities. "It is a mountain bikers paradise," notes Michelle P., while Jennifer M. adds that they "have a spot where they have mini golf, mountain luge, and mountain biking."

Protected swimming areas: Finding safe water access points helps with family water activities. Fond du Lac City Campground offers river access, though Anni O. notes "No designated swimming area. There was however Horseshoe and bag pits, a small game room and at least one cabin for rental."

Spacious sites for families: Pattison State Park provides well-separated campsites that accommodate family groups. "Great campground! Most of the sites are perfect for tent camping or glamping. Clean and each site is well separated and lots of trees," Jim H. remarks.

Kid-friendly hiking: Jay Cooke State Park offers accessible trails for families with children. Joe N. simply states: "Nice hiking trails. Not too difficult. Family friendly."

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups but lack complete services. Anna D. reports about Pattison State Park: "Was $28 a night and non resident with a state park sticker is an additional $15… spot had no hook ups pit toilet next door up hill."

Urban RV parking: For those seeking city access, Lakehead Boat Basin provides unusual marina-based RV parking. Ryan S. explains: "You get a double-width parking spot, which is room enough for a trailer and tow vehicle. Each site has a picnic table. There are two groups of sites, the front row and the back row. The front row has better views, and have electric and water hookups. The back row has full hookups."

Site selection strategy: When staying at Spirit Mountain, Melissa H. advises: "If we would stay again we would book site 50 or 52" after experiencing challenges with the sloped terrain at their site.

Hard water considerations: At Red Pine Campground, Carol W. notes: "Water is definitely hard but again, shower was clean," indicating campers should prepare for mineral-rich water throughout the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Superior, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Superior, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 121 campgrounds and RV parks near Superior, WI and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Superior, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Superior, WI is Jay Cooke State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 66 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Superior, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Superior, WI.