Spirit Mountain Campground offers year-round glamping in Superior, Wisconsin with premium accommodations 20 minutes from downtown Duluth. The campground sits at an elevation of 1,400 feet, providing an elevated vantage point in this northern region where winter temperatures can drop below zero. Most sites are nestled among mature trees that provide natural privacy barriers between neighboring campers.
What to do
Mountain biking trails access: Jay Cooke State Park Campground offers numerous biking opportunities with trails of varying difficulty levels. "I spent a day trip with friends at Jay Cook. The water levels were low, so we clambered around on the sculpted granite rocks that line the river and falls, dipping on and out of pools and up slick rock faces," notes Jared S.
Hiking excursions: The Lost Lake backpacking site provides a more secluded experience. "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.
Enjoy water activities: Gordon Dam Campground offers direct boat access to the Gordon Flowage. "Does not have water sewer hookups but had a station to dump and fill has electricity at most sites close to water has boat access and camp ground is outside of an awesome lil town," says Kay U.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Boise Brule Campground offers natural separation. "The spaces are quite distant from one another and we didn't hear our neighbors at all. We were at one of the walk-in campsites which I chose on purpose because it was literally on top of the river," writes Amy G.
Clean facilities: Cloquet-Duluth KOA maintains their bathrooms regularly. "The bathrooms were cleaned every couple of hours, but highly trafficked thus quickly undoing the cleaning," notes Andrew C. While they require frequent attention, the staff works to keep amenities clean.
Riverside camping: Fond du Lac City campground offers waterfront sites. "We had a nice site on the corner, very close to the river to drop in our kayaks, clean bathrooms and showers. $5 bundles of self serve fire wood," mentions Laurie K.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience noise disruption from nearby rail lines. At Jay Cooke State Park Campground, "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," reports Krista T.
Seasonal conditions: Tick activity increases during warmer months. "Solid hiking trail and good campsites. The campsites have adequate space and decent amenities. The biggest issue however was ticks. Been an outdoor person my whole life and more ticks than I've ever seen before. Pulling 10 or more off an hour," warns Zachary G. about Boise Brule Campground.
Campsite spacing: Sites at some locations can feel crowded. "Sites are cramped, leaving no illusion of privacy. Bathrooms were cleaned every couple of hours, but highly trafficked thus quickly undoing the cleaning," explains Andrew C. about Cloquet-Duluth KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Cloquet-Duluth KOA offers family-friendly amenities. "Nice campground...a little rural but close to town. Helpful staff, decent size sites and hookups. Pool area was nice but busy on our stay. Great family camping," says Sandra.
Choose sites away from playgrounds: Consider site location if seeking quiet. "Our site was directly across from the playground and the kids playing at the playground were all pre-teens who screamed non-stop," notes Cindy B. about her experience at Cloquet-Duluth KOA.
Consider fishing opportunities: Jay Cooke State Park offers accessible fishing spots. "Should you find yourself heading to the north shore, take a break and hit the trails of Jay Cooke. A variety of trails awaits you. If you have more time, then reserve a campsite and explore the many wonders of this area," suggests Theresa D.
Tips from RVers
Plan for leveling challenges: Many sites require adjustment. "We had a walk in site here. There was another walk site somewhat near us but they were very quiet. It was a nice wooded spot and a nice base camp for our nearby exploring," writes Zack H. about Boise Brule Campground.
Check hookup options: Penmarallter Campsite offers multiple electrical configurations. "The campground owner/hosts were very friendly and helpful during our five night stay. 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," advises Grant B.
Consider road access: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "Pulled over here for a quick stay. It is close to the freeway is about it. Not really what I would be looking for, for an extended stay. It was fine for an easy come and go. Facilities were clean," mentions Al J. about Nemadji Mobile Home and RV Park.
