Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Campground Recommendation - First Trip
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WHendrix |
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Northwoodsman |
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mjmkjun |
+Hot Showers (included with campsite) +Family Friendly +Hiking Trials +Several lakes near & adjacent to explore, fish, paddle. +Shallow swim area behind the lodge for small ones. +Downstairs lounge/patio makes great burgers, too. +Pet Friendly Connectivity may be an issue. :-) You guys would be a happy fit at Hungry Jack Lodge & Cabins. HERE Call Forest (owner) to reserve a campsite. edit: it's not the boonies at HJL but relative solitude is not far away. Rose Lake staircase is a must-do, as is Honeymoon Bluff hike. Would also recommend Sawbill Lake Campground. Several day trip options from that campground. You can paddle to the north end of Sawbill and get that wilderness feel. You will see other paddlers. There is a wi-fi antenna located at the Sawbill Outfitter's store entrance for making calls but not sufficient for lengthy online surfing. No elec at sites but it's quiet. Clean pit-toilet cinder block restrooms. Centrally located water spigots in the campground. Hot water showers w/towel for $4.50 at the store area. About 2.5 hours drive from Sawbill Lake to reach any put-ins up the Gunflint area, should you have your hopes for the Gunflint. Just before 4th July is perfect timing. |
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Blatz |
walllee: "Sorry, didn’t see the Grand Marais preference... but if you decide Ely... Fall Lake is awesome" Me either, must have glossed over the GM |
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THEGrandRapids |
stubborn1: "on: Trail's End- while it is too far from GM to day trip there if its raining- there's enough to do up there and a place to eat if you want. We've seen black bears and moose from the trails end campground. Day hike to Magnetic rock. Also-a much shorter but well worth trip- is Honeymoon Bluff. Right across from Flour Campground (which is another good one- but takes second behind Trails end) Day paddle- Seagull has plenty to see, but can get rough. We've done day trips from Trails End onto Seagull and up to Grandpa lake- enough there to get the experience. Also portaged into Moss then to Duncan. Moss isn't inside the boundary- but is a secluded lake. |
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GunflintTrailAngler |
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old_salt |
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stubborn1 |
One of my objectives is to stay far enough away from cell service so that my wife and kids have to leave social media behind for a few days and enjoy real life communication. Sounds like this should be easily accomplished! |
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cyclones30 |
WHendrix: "Sawbill Lake might be a good compromise. The campground is right on an entry point lake and there would be several good day trips from there. The campground does not have power, but Sawbill Outfitters is right there and they have showers. Along the road from Tofte to Sawbill I recall seeing a trailhead for some hiking. And Sawbill Lake it about an hour from GM. I have stayed there several times and it's a good location and the people at Sawbill Outfitters are top notch." I was thinking Sawbill too, but didn't know about their electric situation. Definitely no cell service and not too far from Grand Marais. Can rent canoe and put in right from the campground and paddle Sawbill and portage if you want in multiple directions to other lakes. |
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Blatz |
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walllee |
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gravelroad |
Blatz: "Fall Lake Campground. has hook ups not sure about showers. " Fall Lake is nowhere near Grand Marais. ;-) I grew up doing what you describe, minus the hot shower. Here are some of my suggestions in no particular order: 1. Flour Lake – https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232429 Keep a clean campsite ... 2. East Bearskin Lake – https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233165 Ditto. 2. Trails End – https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232428 Showers and other amenities available here from commercial operators in the area, plus an eye-opening look at the consequences of wildfires. |
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billconner |
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walllee |
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lindylair |
If electric and plumbing are a must I would encourage you to check out some of the North Shore (Lake Superior) state parks which offer those conveniences. Many of them offer great scenery and some good hiking and lakes abound nearby if you want to drop the canoe in somewhere. Otherwise I would encourage you to consider the Ely area which offers Fall Lake campground and Bear Head lake State Park with full facilities. Both these and the North Shore campgrounds fill up fast though so I would encourage a reservation somewhere before it is too late. Good Luck. |
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cyclones30 |
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stubborn1 |
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gravelroad |
stubborn1: "Based on all the feedback, we are going to give Sawbill a shot. It looks like a good balance of everything we are looking for. The site is reserved and now we can start thinking about what to do during our trip. Thanks for the help." Tofte has a handy, good place to eat: Coho Cafe and Bakery |
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stubborn1 |
- Group is me, wife, 3 kids ages 13-16 and a dog - 4 nights/5 days end of June right before July 4th - Pulling popup camper and looking for a decent campground. Electric nice to have but not necessary - Access to a hot shower is important - Looking at entering from GM - Would like to spend one day hiking - Canoeing will be day trip only, so a good location that we can see several different lakes would be awesome Any thoughts on a good campground location for a base camp would be appreciated. Thanks! |
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ducks |
A great hiking trail not far from Sawbill is Eagle Mountain |
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mjmkjun |
Touristy & quaint Grand Marais, MN is an easy drive eastward on Hwy 61 for day-trip. Good food, good ice cream, good coffee and great views of Superior on the drive. And, great connectivity. |