96% (837)
Top-rated campgrounds
96% (837)
Top-rated campgrounds
Stories from the community
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Mirtha
1 week ago
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
My stay was amazing. I love Duluth and wanted to go to Bentleyville and it was a short drive from that plus down town duluth and canal park. Amazing location. It is a wooded area away from the city and people and very quiet. There is beautiful lights lighting the pathways thru out the entire area. Kris and Linda were the nicest hosts I have met, they gave us a lovely tour of all of the sites showed us where everything was and told us to just text if they needed anything. They were both so so nice, welcoming and bubbly. Just the kind of people I like to be around. We had a stove, fridge and heaters to keep us warm as it was really cold but we slept like babies nice and warm with plenty of extra blankets provided by Kris and Linda. They even have a awesome community tent with many chairs and a piano and guitar. They have compost outhouses close by each site and they were easy to use and worked great. They also provided water. It was very magical and peaceful there. I can’t wait to visit again. The entire stay was calm, relaxed and magical during the night time with all of the lights. The swings there are also an absolute blast. If you are considering coming here. I encourage you to go for it. They are wondering hosts and I don’t have a single complaint. Everything was perfect. - Kristian and Mirtha.
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Jason
1 week ago
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
Unfortunately, I had a dear friend take a turn for the worse at Mayo and he is no longer with us. But my interactions with Linda via Hipcamp chat was wonderful. Linda is a great, pleaseant, understanding, and compassionate person. I truly believe had I been able to make my stay that she would have made sure that it was a wonderful one. I will have to rebook in the near future.
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Marta
3 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
Linda made our winter camping experience magical and enjoyable. The basics like the furniture and chopped wood were solid, and the string lights around the property add something special to winter nights. I really enjoyed meeting Linda and staying at her site.
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Jonah
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
My wife and I came up for the weekend and stayed in the roost. It was a lovely rustic cabin that kept it's warm during the cold nights. The property was a nice to walk through the trails. The trails are lit at night for comfort. The host were welcoming and wonderful to us during our stay. We tried out the swing and that was a delight. Overall great experience.
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Baron
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
Linda and Chris are two of the most welcoming and caring people. They take the time to make sure your stay is as enjoyable as it possibly could be. From little things like clearly lit trails at night to a very warm cabin to wake up refreshed in. We will definitely come again.
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josh
November 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
This place is amazing and has so much charm. I have been here twice and it keeps getting better. The host are wonderful people and great to meet. This is a magical place and I would recommend to anyone.
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Austin
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
This was one of the most magical places to stay and we hope to be back again and again. The hosts Linda and Chris are the key holders for the magic that this place holds. Meeting you upon arrival and making sure you know the ins and outs of the place and any little tricks that may come in handy along the way, truly some of the best hosts out there. One of our favorite things about Danny’s tent was using the little wood stove to warm up the place and cook on top of. I’ve never stayed in a tent so cozy it made you never want to leave. The whole experience in itself will leave you wanting more , from booking a weekend to dreaming of booking a week even in the cold months. Thank you Linda and Chris for having us and we hope to see you again!
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Kay
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
This was my second stay at Balsam Ridge, however the first time at the Listening Point. We initially planned on staying at a different site until we were contact by Linda, the site host, and informed that this quaint little "canned ham" camper was available to use if we want to move to that instead as it might be a little warmer. We agreed to switch, and are sure glad we did! Linda went above and beyond to make sure every thing was absolutely perfect for us upon arrival. There was literally everything we could possibly need as if we pulled the camper in and parked it ourselves. Shy of our own personal necessities, the only thing we "really" had to bring was blankets, pillows & food...everything was provided in the camper! We really hit the jackpot with this stay! (Actually the jackpot is name of the super clean outhouse that is less that 20 feet away) but we really did feel spoiled with this stay! **One thing to note - if you happen to stay when the temperatures start getting below freezing.. You'll still be plenty warm inside, but you will need to bring water with you for cooking\drinking\dishes**
No matter what season you choose to stay, you'll not be disappointed! There are plenty of things to do both in the camper and on site. When you arrive Chris & Linda will give you a tour through the campground to show you around and help you bring your things to your site if you want\need help and are always available if you ever need anything. I promise you'll be a happy camper!
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Paula
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
It's like you are in the forest, yet you are a stones throw away from town! The quiet and friendly atmosphere the Hosts provide is top notch! Listening Point is on top of the hill and close enough to the Jackpot for those midnight runs. That canned ham is small but big enough for the two adults to get around and get things done. The thoughtful way Linda had the camper decorated blew my mind. She had throw pillows on one bed that a family member cross stitched and likey took a good while to finish. They were beautiful. Just take a walk and look at all the lil details that have been lovingly put into all the spaces at the Retreat. Let me know if you find the tortoise shell, it will make me 😃
Would I recommend this camping retreat to friends and family? I sure would! You have to experience Balsam Ridge Retreat at least once in your lifetime. As long as they remain open my friend Kay and I will be there every year.
I miss them already. Thank you again for the relaxation.
P.H.
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Abby and Brittany
October 2025
With kids
Fantastic place! Linda and Chris are incredibly kind and hospitable!
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sara
October 2025
Tent
We tent camped in this location and had a wonderful experience. It was private, but not completely isolated and close to town and other main roads. Nice tent pad area and fire pit.
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Alejandro
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
my fiance and I had a great stay and the tent was very comfy!
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Anthony
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
5 stars every time. I take an annual trip here and have taken this trip for the last 3 years. You will never not be comfortable or feel like you’re at home. Chris and Linda give an excellent warm welcome to all guests that arrive and keep the same warm and caring attitude throughout the whole stay. Also if you’re having any problems they handle it very quickly with patience and a smile. If you’re thinking about staying here or thinking about camping in Duluth. I promise you with my whole heart this is the place to go!!
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Rae
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
Linda and Chris are such lovely and welcoming hosts; from check-in to check-out they were warm and hospitable.
The canvas tent with wood stove was fantastic to sleep in and held the heat from the stove very well, and the property itself is fantastic and a delight to walk along.
I look forward to booking here again sometime!
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Claire
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
Super cozy and remote! Loved sharing tight quarters in the fall with my favorite person :)
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Laurie
October 2025
With kids
This was our first time at Balsam Ridge Retreat, but hopefully not the last! It felt very secluded and private, while also super accessible to Duluth. Linda and Chris were excellent hosts, ready with the golf cart to give us a tour and help carry our luggage. They have put a lot of thought into all the various offerings (like the fire pits, lounge by the pond, carpet pool, christmas-lighted trails, bird feeders outside our window), and it's clear they care deeply about making sure their guests enjoy themselves. We felt very comfortable in the Stuga, especially with the help of the heaters. And our ten-year-old loved the "dreamer" and the "screamer," two different swings that live up to their names, one offering a calm swing and the other, an exhilarating soar through the air. We're looking forward to coming back when there's some snow!
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Amanda
October 2025
2 nights at Balsam Ridge Retreat
This hipcamp was so relaxing. There is so much detail in every part of this camp done for each site it is welcoming. Your in a residential area but feel as if you have been transformed to northern woods where there is no one around. Iy is beautifully lit up at night and so many things you see and do. Loved spending time with my daughter canoeing the pond. Eating supper in the outside longe area. With the little stove to keep us warm on those cold nights. Carpet ball was fun! Never played that before. Owls, little red squirrels, just everything is beautiful. Thank You Linda and Chris.
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Kayla
October 2025
2 nights at Balsam Ridge Retreat
Stayed in the Stuga mid October. The cabin and campsite in general surpassed expectations. Was pleasantly surprised with the cozy (adjustable) heat, the in-cabin stove and refrigerator. The community hut by the pond felt very thoughtful and inviting.
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Whitney
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
Linda and Chris thought of everything we could need! The space was lovely and we loved being along walking paths and feeling like we were in nature, while also being a short drive to downtown Duluth if we wanted to do anything in town:)
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Dustey
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Balsam Ridge Retreat
This was our second time at Balsam Ridge and our first time at the Stuga. Linda and Chris are exceptional hosts and have fully converted us into Hipcampers.
The Stuga is roomy and comfy, we loved hanging out by the firepit overlooking the pond. Balsam Ridge’s location can’t be beat, it feels very private while in the Hipcamp area but it’s so close to basically anything you might want to do in Duluth.
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