Located along Lake Superior, the Minnesota North Shore is dotted with hiking trails, harbor towns, ski hills, waterfalls and campgrounds, all with the omnipresent majestic lake extending into the distance. State Highway 61 begins in Duluth, Minnesota, and hugs the coastline for the more than 150 miles through Grand Portage, Minnesota, to the Canadian border. There are eight state campgrounds on the North Shore, each situated within some of the most striking natural sites of the area.
About Minnesota's State Parks
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources operates the state's parks and forests. A vehicle permit is required to enter state parks. Permits are available for $25 per year or $7 per day and can be purchased at each park. Fishing for non-Minnesota residents requires a Minnesota fishing license and applicable species stamps, such as a trout stamp. Cross-country ski trails are available, but skiers must have a Minnesota ski pass. Pets are allowed at Minnesota state parks but must be leashed and personally attended at all times. No pets are allowed in state park buildings or on cross-country ski trails except for service animals. Many of the North Shore state parks allow winter camping. Several types of campsites are available at the state parks, including hike-in, RV-accessible, kayak, handicap-accessible, groups and tent-only sites.
Campgrounds Closest to Duluth
Gooseberry Falls State Park is located 39.5 miles from Duluth. A kayak site on the Lake Superior Water Trail can be reserved. The park is linked to the Superior Hiking Trail, with spurs to several waterfalls, overlooks and the lake. Mountain bikers will find eight miles of hard-packed dirt trails. Split Rock State Park is 46 miles from Duluth and offers hike-in tent camping sites. 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the lighthouse that makes the park most famous and is open for tours. The new Gitchi-Gami State Trail between Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock State Parks recently was completed, with paved trails for in-line skating, biking or hiking. River and lake access are available for trout and salmon fishing.
Central North Shore Campgrounds
Located 58.5 miles from Duluth, Tettegouche State Park is 9,300 acres with four inland lakes, one mile of Lake Superior coastline and an undisturbed hardwood forest. Activities at Tettegouche include hiking, fishing, mountain biking and rock climbing. Fishing can be done within the Baptism River and Lake Superior. The remote George Crosby Manitou State Park is 60 miles from Duluth and 14 miles inland from Highway 61. Only backpacking campsites are available. Although not on Lake Superior, fishing in the park's Benson Lake and Manitou River can provide trout and splake. Moose, deer, wolves and bears often can be spotted. More than 20 miles of hiking trails can be challenging but provide scenic views.
Grand Marais Campgrounds
Temperance River State Park, located 80 miles from Duluth, is home to several waterfalls cut by the river to form a gorge. The park connects to a network of cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Rock climbers can summit Carlton Peak. Camping is available year-round. Cascade River State Park, 100 miles from Duluth, is on Lake Superior's shore and the mouth of the Cascade River. Hiking trails cross the river, providing views of waterfalls. Winter camping is available at a few non-electric sites. Cascade River State Park is well-known for its cross-country ski trails.
Borderland Campgrounds
At 120 miles from Duluth, Judge C.R. Magney State Park is linked to the Superior Hiking Trail, and waterfalls on the rivers within the park often are visible. Fishing for trout in the rivers and lakes is popular with visitors. Judge C.R. Magney State Park is reminiscent of Manitou, although more easily accessible with drive-in sites and handicap-accessible facilities. No winter camping is available. For day visitors only, Grand Portage State Park, at 150 miles from Duluth, hovers on the border with Canada. The park houses the highest waterfall in Minnesota. Hiking and portaging around this river for centuries gave the area its name. Grand Portage is operated jointly with Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, the only state park in the U.S. with such an arrangement.
Getting to the North Shore
The North Shore and its eight state parks are accessible from Duluth via Minnesota State Highway 61. Duluth is about 2.5 hours by car from Minneapolis. The Duluth International Airport provides a limited number of daily connections.
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