Where to Camp on the North Shore, MN (17 Best Places)

Are you planning a trip to go camping on the North Shore in Minnesota? You’re in for a real treat, because there’s good reason why it’s my favorite place in the state!

The North Shore is filled with amazing views, great hikes, tons of state parks, and of course, the shoreline of Lake Superior.

I’ve go camping on the shore every summer, and have since I was just a little girl. So I have lots to share, and will let you in on the best spots to make your homebase!

Note: I’ve added the campgrounds in order, heading north from Duluth. So you’ll find options closer to Duluth first, and options closer to Grand Portage last.

Best Campgrounds on the North Shore

1. Penmarallter Campground

Located closest to Duluth in Two Harbors, the Penmarallter Campground has been around for quite a while, operated by a local family.

Each campground has a flat spot, fit for an RV or a tent, plus a fire ring and a picnic table.

Hook-ups are available for electric, water, and sewer, and other amenities include flushing toilets, showers, and wifi.

2. Burlington Bay Campground

Another option located right in Two Harbors is Burlington Bay Campground, which is one of my favorites because of how close it is to Lake Superior.

You can see the lake right from your campsite, and there are stores nearby that rent paddleboards and kayaks to take out on the water!

The campground itself is suitable for tents or RVs with almost 150 sites. About half of those have hook-ups for electric, water, and sewer.

3. Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground

This is likely one of your stops on the North Shore already, so you may as well plan to camp here too!

Gooseberry Falls State Park has a great campground where you can stay right near the waterfall and be the first ones to visit during the day.

There are spots for either tenters or RVs, although it’s best suited for tents since there aren’t any hook-ups available. However, there are showers and toilets available.

4. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Another of the North Shore’s most popular spots is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, and you can camp here too!

This spot is a bit more primitive, because it’s a cart-in site. This means that you’ll need to use a cart to haul your gear in, and you’ll have to park your car further away.

So no RVs are allowed here, and you’ll want to be sure that you’re prepared for a bit more rustic experience. However, it is only a 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot.

My favorite part about staying here is that it’s far more secluded from other people than other campsites are, which is amazing!

This campsite is also open year-round, so if you’re looking to do some fun winter adventures on the North Shore, this is a great option!

5. North Shore Camping Co.

The North Shore Camping Co. is a newer location on the shore for camping, and it’s perfect for people who want to try camping but don’t have their own gear, or for those who don’t love the idea of sleeping on the ground (I get it!!).

This “GLAMpground” has canvas tents already set up for you, have a bed with blankets waiting inside for you. Plus there’s everything you need to cook meals, there’s a stove for heat on colder nights, and more.

It’s a really great little spot for North Shore camping, and I can’t wait to get there myself!

North Shore Camping Co. is owned by Cove Point Lodge, who also have adorable cabins on their property.

6. Black Beach Municipal Campground

Another favorite spot of mine is the Black Beach Municipal Campground. It gets its name from the infamous Black Beach in Minnesota, which is within walking distance of your site.

There are almost 50 sites at the campground, 34 of which have full hook-ups, and the others only have electric.

It’s perfect for both tents and RVs. Every site has a fire ring and picnic table. Plus there’s a playground for kids, and you’re just a short distance from some of the North Shore’s best stops.

7. Lake Superior Cart-In Campground

This is personally one of my favorite campsites on the North Shore, because of the amazing views of Lake Superior that it gives.

Again, this is a cart-in campground, so you’ll need to ditch your car in the parking lot and walk about 1/2 mile to your site, using a cart to carry in your gear.

The campsites are located directly on the shore of Lake Superior, and you’ll be within a short distance of Tettegouche State Park where you’ll find the state’s tallest waterfall.

Of all of the places that I’ve camped on the shore, this has been my favorite one!

8. Baptism River Campground

Here’s another perfect spot nestled in the forest near Tettegouche State Park. There are sites here for both RVs and tents.

I love it because of how wooded it is. I could stay in campsites like this all the time, because they provide so much more privacy than others.

There’s a fire ring and picnic table at each site, and some of the sites offer electrical hook-ups. There are also showers and flush toilets available!

You can also take a hike to Two Step Falls and High Falls from this campground, which is a pretty epic thing if you ask me!

9. Eckbeck Campground

I’m someone who loves a quiet campground where there aren’t a ton of other people. And that’s exactly what you get at Eckbeck Campground.

We found this one when all of the state park campgrounds were closed, and it’s just a short drive from Tettegouche State Park.

This is a primitive campground, so there aren’t any hook-ups, no showers, and the toilets are not flushing (aka – vault toilets). But with the lack of crowds, it’s well worth it.

10. Lax Lake Resort

This small campground sits right in Silver Bay, so you’re almost halfway up the shore at this point!

There are only 15 sites available, with only 2 sites being able to accomodate large RVs.

However, this makes it perfect for tenters or people with smaller vehicles like a campervan or truck topper.

Most of the sites do have electric hook-ups though, and the campground sees a lot less traffic than others nearby, so it’s a good stop for some solitude.

11. Lamb’s Resort & Campground

With campsites right on Lake Superior’s shoreline, Lamb’s Resort and Campground is another awesome spot to set up camp on the North Shore!

What I love about this campground is that they have their own private, sandy beach, so while you’re staying here, you can relax on the beach and enjoy the outdoors.

All of the sites have picnic tables and a fire ring, and being that you’re near Tofte, you’ll be smack dab in the middle of Silver Bay and Grand Marais! Perfect spot, in my opinion!

12. Cascade River State Park Campground

Another pretty epic state park on the North Shore is Cascade River State Park, and they have their own campground too!

You’ll be pretty close to Lutsen here, so it’s a good spot for checking out the fall colors in October or riding the alpine slide in the summer.

All of the sites have a fire ring and picnic tables, and most are suited for both RVs or tents. About half of them have electric hook ups available!

There are only about 40 campsites here, and they book fast! So be sure to plan ahead of time.

13. Grand Marais Campground & Marina

Grand Marais is my favorite town on the North Shore, with tons of restaurants and places to visit, so staying right there at the campground is a perfect way to spend your visit.

I love this campground for it’s location right on the water, but I also love that it’s so close to town and all of the fun outdoor adventures.

This is the first spot that I ever camped on the North Shore when I was little! There are bathrooms, full hook-ups, showers, and more here.

Plus, with over 200 sites, it’s easier to find a spot here. But don’t wait too long, because I have tried to reserve before and have been turned down because they’re full!

14. Devil Track Lake Campground

If you don’t mind a more rustic campsite and want to get away from some of the crowds, I recommend the Devil Track Lake Campground.

This one is tucked way back in the Superior National Forest and is first come, first served. There isn’t space for RVs, but if you have a smaller camper or a campervan, you’ll fit just fine.

I love this campground because it feels very off the beaten path. Everytime I’ve visited, there have only been a few people and we’ve had a very private, rustic experience!

15. Two Island Lake Campground

This is another great spot for some private, primitive camping on the North Shore. It’s just a bit off the beaten path from Grand Marais.

The campground is perfect for tents and small campers, and there are vault toilets, water sources, and trash disposal.

And because of its location, you’ll be close to the Boundary Waters and the North Shore. A perfect in-between location for your trip.

16. Grand Portage Marina & RV Campground

Way up at the top of the North Shore is the Grand Portage Marina and RV Campground. It’s suited best for RVs, with only a couple of tent sites available.

This is a pretty basic campground without a ton of privacy, but you’re still on the lake and all of the amenities that you need are available.

If you’re headed way up north to visit or are headed out to Isle Royale, this is the perfect spot to make your hombase!

17. Backcountry Campsites

Aside from the standard RV and tent campgrounds that you can drive into, there are also dozens of backcountry campsites along the North Shore.

Most of them are found off of the Superior Hiking Trail, so you can do some great hiking, and end your day by staying at a campsite. There are actually 94 campsites on the trail!

They’re all primitive and have no electric hook-ups. Some have fire rings, a water source, and a toilet, but some don’t. So just come prepared if you go this route!

Conclusion: North Shore, MN Campgrounds

There are a ton of really great campgrounds on the North Shore, and having stayed at many of them, I can vouch for their greatness!

So whether you’re planning a last minute getaway or a longer trip, there are plenty of options for you to stay at during your visit.