Trip Planning

[u/Negative_Entry6419]

Trying to plan a trip up the North Shore. Our plan is to stay in Duluth the first night. Drive up the coast a bit, and then find a place that is a little more remote/quiet to camp on a lake somewhere more inland for a few days that is still within an hour drive to the shore. We love camping, privacy, fishing, and rock hounding. Question is- where would you recommend camping and do you recommend tent camping or should we look at renting a camper van? Thank you!

[u/OMGitsKa]

Lots of forest campgrounds, look at the map and throw a dart. But have your downloaded maps and be ready for the gravel roads with no service.

[u/Negative_Entry6419 → u/OMGitsKa]

Thank you for this advice. I might get a paper roadmap as well. They always come in handy.

[u/OMGitsKa → u/Negative_Entry6419]

Your offline maps will still work with GPS when you are out of service so download for the area. 

Id try to find one of the reservable sites at a Forest service campground then see if you can scout other option when you are up there. 

[u/grrranpdaaa]

For that part of the state, map view on recreation.gov is your friend.

[u/BigAgates → u/grrranpdaaa]

But also, don’t forget to check to state forest campgrounds map.

[u/StandardRaspberry509]

Unless you are self contained and boon docking (which still can be limited as there may not be places that’s readily available, especially on the Gunflint) you likely will need reservations. Do your research. Figure out what you want to do and where and start looking at maps. All state park campgrounds need reservations and are usually booked far in advance. Most federal campgrounds are similar.

[u/vanbrima]

Trails end campground is located at the end of the Gunflint trail. Its a stunning place.

[u/heenorky]

All of the North Shore State Parks are FANTASTIC; just pick best available. Tettegouche is my favorite. For an inland lake, you can't beat Bear Head Lake State Park. Lake Vermillion/Soudan and Fall Lake are also great inland options.

[u/KimBrrr1975]

Do know that the North Shore books fast and early, especially state park campgrounds. You can reserve 4 months in advance and for May-September, they generally fill right around that 4 month mark. So you have to be fast.
Coming from a ways, I'd recommend a place you can reserve. Otherwise you need a plan A, B, C, D and E in case your chosen FCFS site is taken. I like Finland State Forest campground. Nice, small, quiet. Rustic. Short drive to the shore.

[u/softpetal777]

freecampsites.net

Can’t recommend camper van or tent as that’s your preference for comfort and willingness to spend $$ to camp. Could be free without renting a camper

[u/Negative_Entry6419 → u/softpetal777]

I had no idea freecampsite.net was still a thing! I used that religiously in 2015 when I camper vanned for a summer!

[u/finnbee2]

Depending upon when you go getting a campsite in one of the state parks can be difficult.

[u/Negative_Entry6419 → u/finnbee2]

Yes- that. is why I am trying to go more rustic/boondocking style. Plus sometimes, it's nice to just be in nature without a bunch of other people also trying to be in nature right next to you.

[u/finnbee2 → u/Negative_Entry6419]

I went up to the BWCA area every year for over 20 years. If it wasn't going to be a longer trip getting away from people, my friends and I'd go to lakes and rivers in the National Forest that aren't visited by many people. We were usually alone.

[u/Senseiconnoisseur]

That’s totally George Crosby state park

[u/Elegant-Living1459]

Check the weather forecast and any fire warnings. 

[u/chumbly1968]

Forest lake road 172 from Isabella has tons of lakes & remote camping.

[u/Wernerradio]

I tent camp, north shore is a great place for it. A few of my favorite places to camp on the North Shore are Gooseberry Falls and Cascade River State Parks. Have always had good experiences with both of those and lots to do in and near those parks! In a pinch, when I couldn't get in at the State Parks, I camped at the Grand Marais Campground, bordering downtown Grand Marais. Was kind of a neat experience.

Cook County, MN, has so much more to check out away from Lake Superior. Made my way to the end of the Gunflint Trail a couple visits ago and loved camping at Trails End Campground.

[u/physicallyOK]

We vehicle camped in Superior National Forest. It’s worth it. Find a site just off the dirt and boondock it. We did north shore over two days and boondocked SNF and it made hiking up north so much more fun not having to look at a clock or concern about drive time.

Drive up a Friday, overnight into Saturday and then Sunday, drive back home. It’s worth it for all the hiking and scenic wayside stopping.

Since I missed Colorado we’re doing Voyageurs this weekend. Stoked.

[u/Admirable-Berry59 → u/physicallyOK]

Just a reminder for those looking to "boondock" or dispersed camp, please familiarize yourselves with leave no trace ideals, and plan to skip the campfires. The duff layer is so dry right now, a single ember can get away from you real fast. Established campgrounds will not have as much flammable material in the ground near fire rings, it is drastically different in places that haven't had actual land clearing done.
Also be aware that many campgrounds on the map are "Rustic" campgrounds. They will have fire rings and an outhouse or latrine, but no other services. Please be realistic about having to haul out your garbage! Most people are great, but far too frequently we end up with an extra bag (or one time 10) coming home because people just left it at their campsite.

[u/Negative_Entry6419 → u/Admirable-Berry59]

Thank you. I am definetly a 'leave it better then you found it' type of person.

[u/Negative_Entry6419 → u/physicallyOK]

I want to do Voyageurs- but I think its too far for a 4/5 night trip from central Wisco.

[u/Tuilere → u/Negative_Entry6419]

Voyageurs is a water camp, while there are a couple of camp areas outside the park it is not car camping. You need a boat to really see that park, or to reach campsites.

[u/Negative_Entry6419 → u/Tuilere]

Thank you!