I am planning a trip to Crosby this summer and would like your input on a few questions.

Are there any campsites to avoid? I understand that some campsites are right on the trail.

Do you have a favorite campsite?

Do you have a favorite area?

What are some must see/ do while there?

Is the fishing worth packing a rod and reel?

Thanks for your help.

I've camped twice along the river once near the middle of the river section and the other was on the last site. Generally the further away from the trail head the less used the camp sites. If you camp at the last site you can go in through the middle of the park and out along the river. The river is the best section of the park.

Most of the campsites are just off of the trail but if you go during the week you just might have the whole park to yourself. Most sites are also along the river, but there are a few around Benson Lake. That is were most people may be since the picnic area is by the lake. I just looked at the park map and see that campsites 1, 6, 18, 12, and 16 are off of spurs. Site 16 is furthest away and closest to Lake Superior on a dead end trail. I’ve camped at site 3 along the river and felt complete privacy. We had no neighbors and nobody used the trail during the three days we were there. (Tues – Thurs)

The river may be too shallow to fish and Lake Benson is a designated trout lake. If you fish it you will need a trout stamp. I did not wet a line. Swimming in the deeper river pools can be fun.

That is one of my favorite state parks. First time I did a section of the Superior Hiking Trail I started there.

I have found that most of the sites are pretty secluded. Crosby-Manitou doesn't have a direct access from Highway 61 and it is a more effort camping state park as well, so generally I find some good quiet there. I would suggest sites 13,14, 15 and 16 for most seclusion.

I spent a few nights in crosby manitou on my first solo trip. I didn't see anyone else during the four days I was there, except at the very end of my trip when I reached the parking area. I believe I camped at site 16 (whichever site is furthest from the parking area). I felt like I had the park to myself and enjoyed hiking even further down the river. I brought a rod, but water levels were much lower than I had anticipated so I never even tried fishing. My trip was in september, so that probably added to the low water. The site I stayed at wasn't fantastic, but it definitely met my need for seclusion. If you go, be sure to check out the falls, and the overlook of superior. As a note, the trail along the river is much more difficult than the trail leading through the woods to those further sites.