Minnesota Camping Help

[TG1956]

My family and I would like to camp in Northern Minnesota this summer (first week of August, 2004).  We are looking for a campground for our pop-up, preferably with water and electrical hookups. We would also like to be close to the water, so we can use our kayak.

I have been looking at the Voyageurs Nathional Park area, but can't seem to find any campgrounds suitable for a popup. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[Unregistered]

My experience up there is that there is mostly rustic camping up there.
Meaning Tent camping, and canoe camping.
It's beautiful but not much available in private CG's.

The best one I can think of is Bear Head State Park.
I haven't camped there in 20 years, but...
Very nice, private sites and the lake is close to the sites.
But no hookups. They do have bears, or did 20 years ago.
But didnt bother us in our tents. We did see them roaming around.

You may be able to find a resort, that has a couple campsites.
There are fishing resorts tucked in up there, but they are hard to find.
They are usually small and don't advertise much, they are always booked by the fisherman. But usualy have a campsite or two between the cabins.

I also see McCarthy Beach SP is close and has electric. But I have never been there.

[Kelly]

My experience up there is that there is mostly rustic camping up there.
Meaning Tent camping, and canoe camping.
It's beautiful but not much available in private CG's.

That's been my experience, too.  My parents go to a  small family-owned campground in Orr (about 100 miles south of Voyageurs) every summer ~ and have since 1977!  I took the kids up there 2 summers ago (with the PU) and we had a great time.  It's a little run-down, but quite friendly and right on Pelican Lake.

The state also has campground listings on its website.  If you start here you can enter in a city name and it will list the campgrounds in that area.

Hope this helps.  It is a beautiful part of the state!

[TG1956]

Thanks for the information.

Yes, I see that it's mostly tent and/or canoe camping. McCarthy looks good, as does Pine Ridge. We have an aquaintance from Scouts that suggests Itasca State Park. Any knowledge of that park?

Thanks a bunch!! We're really looking forward to going to Minnesota.

[Unregistered]

Itasca State Park

Is absolutely my favorite SP in MN.
You can't go wrong with that one.

[Unregistered]

There are many many campgrounds in Northern MN suited for a pop up.  Off the top of my head I can tell you in Itasca Co is Thistledew , Larson Lake, Deer Lake, and many many more.  I have camped in most of those.  Small lakes perfect for kayaking.  We sent many a week camping in Northern Mn and canoeing for the past 30 years.  Most of these campsites are dry, with water available on the grounds. But you have the advantage of pease and quite, and the lakes are clean and serene. There is Lake Winnie, Leach Lake, Red Lake, and so many many more.  Get ahold of a campground guide from Minnesota Visitors and I am sure they will list all of them and their ammenities.  Up the north shore in ST Louis Co are all the lakes up the gunflint trail. Devils Track Lake has a wonderful campground. It goes 55 miles up the gunflint to the last lake on the US Canada border. There are many sites on the north shore on Hwy61, but they are more crowded.  Have fun and enjoy our fair state.

My family and I would like to camp in Northern Minnesota this summer (first week of August, 2004).  We are looking for a campground for our pop-up, preferably with water and electrical hookups. We would also like to be close to the water, so we can use our kayak.

I have been looking at the Voyageurs Nathional Park area, but can't seem to find any campgrounds suitable for a popup. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[Unregistered]

Itasca is one of the nicest Parks for pop-Ups I have ever camped in.
As mentioned, there are numerous others, especially along the North Shore and on the Gunflint trail area there are a couple of small (dry) camping spots which are great but, the name slips me now.
North Mn is made for campers!

[Unregistered]

Since we finally have acquired our dream lot on Lake Superior and the pop-up will now be our "lake home" for awhile I would like to let the cat out of the bag.  We have been going to the "Lodge of the Whispering Pines" campground since 1993.  There are only a few camper sites but they are amazing.  The sites are right on one of the largest lakes bordering the Boundry Waters Canoe Wilderness. It is 16 miles north of Ely on Echo Trail. Enjoy and say hello to Dan the proprietor from Dave & Cindy.

[Unregistered]

Actually there are many many campgrounds where you can use a pop up. We camped in one for 20 years up and around Northern MN. But, if you want electricity you will miss some beautiful places to camp. I would set up so you don't need electricity.  Up the GunFlint trail out of Grand Marias 55 miles up to the Canadian border.  I think the last Lake is Sagenaw (spelling?) beautiful and the last one coming back down to Lake Superior is Devils Track Lake, Beautiful! Itasca Co has many many beautiful campgrounds and 1.000's of lakes. I would write Tourist Centers in the Counties you want to visit, Also National Forest Campgrounds. Thistledew Lake is beautiful.  There is a resort on Cut Foot Sioux on Winnebigosh (can't spell tonight) The Lake itself is large..but the Cut Foot Sioux end of the Lake is beautiful.  Large Campground at the end of that road. I would also contact the Forestry Department for campground information.  Actually, there are many resorts all over northern MN that have cabins and campground.  Check the Co maps, internet...Visitors Centers.  I had gathered and keep a big packet of that kind of information.  Some I had collected at the Sportsman Shows. gayle

My family and I would like to camp in Northern Minnesota this summer (first week of August, 2004).  We are looking for a campground for our pop-up, preferably with water and electrical hookups. We would also like to be close to the water, so we can use our kayak.

I have been looking at the Voyageurs Nathional Park area, but can't seem to find any campgrounds suitable for a popup. Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

[hayyward]

We too have camped in our PUP along the Gunflint. Hungry Jack, Flour Lake, East Bearskin, Devil's Track. There are oodles of campgrounds. Many are entry points to the Boundary Waters so excellent canoe/kayak opportunities. Some do have a few sites with electricity.

I agree with Gayle in that limiting yourself to electric sites you are really missing some beautiful spots. For me, the big electric thing is my coffee pot. What I do instead is brew the night before ("campacino" = campfire perked, extra long, extra strong) and I fill a serious thermos for the morning. I can brew morning coffee while sipping hot coffee .. no pain. And the best creamer is a bottle of White Russian mix. What a way to start the day.

On East Bearskin, (early August) our campsite was surrounded by all the blueberries and raspberries we could eat.. and bears too probably although we didn't see any. Every morning we had the best pancakes with fresh fruit! And we had a moose grazing on the shoreline of our campsite! How cool is that?! Better than electricity anyday!