We visited Scenic State Park Lodge Campground in July, 2018, with two other families, for three nights, on our annual camping trip. The park was pretty nice, but there was not much to do outside of activities in the park. The campground was very open and you could hear everyone around you. Our site was a bit more private (L89), but our friends at L78 and L79 were completely open to everyone around them.

The Lodge Campground is a little smaller than Chase Point. Facilities were fine - two shower rooms in male and female showers each. Clean bathroom stalls very close to all sites. Fishing pier and beach were very close, so that was awesome for kids. The second you dropped your line in, a fish was on it.

The disadvantage was that although there were quite a few activities in the park, there wasn't much to do around the area if you wanted to go offsite. We hiked the Chase Point Trail to the edge of the esker on a nice breezy day, so the bugs were not bad. On the very hot day, we rented boats - canoe, two kayaks, and a paddle board - from the park office, which was very fun! Our kids had a blast trying them all out. Otherwise, the swimming and fishing were all that was left. The other hike out the fire tower trail was very buggy and several ticks were spotted on one of the adults who took his bike out that trail.

Overall, a nice weekend trip, but we might not make a second trip there due to the limited activities.

Visited Itasca State Park in July 2016. It was an awesome trip, despite our 3yo getting sick and having to go to Park Rapids for Urgent Care.

We camped with three other families at Pine Ridge Campground and had sites next to one another. It was awesome to be just a path away from our friends. There were eight adults and nine kids age 1.5-6 and there was so much to do, despite the young age of the kids. We hiked to the Fire Tower, with several of the group making the climb to the top. The park was a lovely setting for afternoon drives to catch a nap. The beach was crowded, but a lot of fun. We attempted fishing for the first time and played at the playgrounds. One of our favorite activities was visiting the Headwaters of the Mississippi and walking across the "river" on the rocks.

Sites were nice and large, as two of our four had the REI Kingdom 8 tent. Our site had a large screened canopy.

We haven't been back yet, but it's definitely on the list of campsites we would revisit. Just trying to get to all the MN State Parks first!

Our family went up and rented Guest House 1. The house was great! It had everything we needed in the kitchen, a grill out front, picnic tables, fire ring, plenty of sleeping for our extended family. However, the second we walked out the door, you had at least 5 ticks on you. If you spent any extended amount of time outside, there were 20+. It was terrible, as my sister was pregnant and didn't want to risk it and we had a 1, 2, and 4 year old. We spent a large part of the weekend searching each other like primates and picking bugs off. Since the weather wasn't the best, we didn't feel as bad missing out on being outside.

We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger. That being said, we have had several conversations with others who have also said it was the worst tick experience they have ever had and will not choose to go back again.

We LOVE this campground, as it's an awesome place to to call home base for a bit and take day trips around the North Shore. We camp every summer with three other families and this week we ended up in the lower campground of Temperance River State Park. The sites were nice and private with paths between so we could go see our friends next to us. The only downfalls were: the showers were across the river and up a LOT of steps and our site was just down from Hwy 61, so was a bit noisy with traffic at times.

Day trips:

• Lutsen for alpine slides, gondola rides and hiking
• Grand Marais for shopping, mini golf, hiking, and breweries
• Hike the Temperance River trail (although sketchy with a lot of small children who like to go too close to the edge)
• Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center - a small gem where the kids got to learn about rocks and the geology of the North Shore. maybe a bit above their heads, but the adults loved it!
• Just throwing rocks in the lake from large boulders just down from our campground

Highly recommend this as a place to stay for short or longer periods of time due to how much there is to do around the area!

This may be one of our favorite all time sites! We were at Game Lodge campground site 36, which was right next to a little creek. At night, we could hear the water running and it was so calming. Tent pads were elevated, so our REI Kingdom 8 garage had to run off the edge. Even so, it was the perfect spot for us as we explored the Black Hills. I have heard all the campgrounds in Custer are very nice, however.

Camped with two boys, age 4 and 2.5. Loved that the bison were just outside our campground on the way in and the visitor center just across the road was beautiful!

Activities included:

Wind Cave Tour, Wildlife Loop drive, Needles Highway, Chuckwagon Dinner, Mt Rushmore, and more.

Playground at site was a bit further for us, but the kids walked there anyway.

This was our least favorite of campsites of four this summer. The sites were so close together and I felt bad for the people who were next to my sometimes rambunctious kids. There were a lot of trees for our hammock, though! There was not a lot to do, but maybe a good stop if someone is hiking the Superior Trail.

We did enjoy hiking to Devil’s Kettle Falls and driving down to the lake to look for agates. Brunch at Naniboujou Lodge was a nice hot breakfast. Other than that, nothing too spectacular.

We had a wonderful time at Lamb’s Resort on our way back from Thunder Bay! The owners were available for questions and our site was perfect! We stayed at site 49, which was a short walk to the beach. Our boys, age 5 and 3, spent hours throwing rocks in the lake.

Activities: walked along the rocky shore to the mouth of the Cross River stargazing at night while laying on the beach Schroeder Baking Company just outside the entrance for rolls or pizza when the weather was not good for cooking. Rented a canoe from Sawtooth Outfitters and took up to Fourmile lake for fishing Hiked Temperance River trails after a big rainstorm. When our kids get older, we will take them up Carlton Peak

Plusses: Tent campers and RVs are separate to minimize noise. Site was private and tucked in the corner. So many activities to do, no matter the weather. Although a hike from our site, the main bathrooms were clean.

opportunities: really the only issue for us was that there were no grills on the fire pits. We made due, but a slight inconvenience. RVs were close together, but didn’t matter for us. playground was a little shaky - could use an update.

new campground in last couple years. facilities are well maintained and the sites are nice and big. we stayed at 314E with our friends at 312E. their site was by far the best, with an awesome rock structure the kids had a blast climbing on.

plusses: main bathrooms and showers are very clean and new. water in sinks is warm. Soudan Mine tour was awesome! travel down in the mine and ride cars to see the way iron ore was mined in early 1900s. hike to overlook we saw a large white tailed deer 20 yds away. the view was amazing and only 3 miles round trip from the campground. pay $6 per day for all the fIrewood you use, vs prIce per sack. paved path was awesome for running or biking. drove to Ely for the day and went to the International Wolf Center - fun to see the wolves up close.

opps: no trash cans in vault toilets makes it difficult at that time of the month. long walk to the lake from campsites. wish there were sites on or closer to the lake. our kids wanted to fish or swim.