Duluth

Where the intrepid camper can explore historical marvels alongside natural wonders.

Find & reserve the best private sites RV campsites near Duluth, Minnesota. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

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Stillwater

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Houghton

Madison

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Rosemount

Brunet Island State Park

Copper Falls State Park

Pattison State Park

Northern Highland American Legion State Forest

Governor Dodge State Park

Council Grounds State Park

Hartman Creek State Park

Kettle Moraine State Forest (Northern Unit)

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Camp Palustria


PRIMITIVE - HIKE IN CAMPSITE

Wilderness Experience Minutes from Duluth

About the campsite:

THIS PROPERTY IS RUGGED WITH MINIMAL DEVELOPMENT BEYOND HIKING TRAIL AND CAMP AMENITIES.

Camp Palustria is on the edge of a beautiful marsh within 75 feet of a trout stream. It is about 1000ft off of the Superior Hiking Trail. The campsite is primitive which includes fire pit with grill, table, and composting outhouse. 

The site is about a 600ft hike from the road where you'll park. The first 400ft of the trail is a swamp with a simple elevated boardwalk through most of it.  95% of the time is it passable with hiking boats or street shoes, but there might be some muddy spots. Dispersed winter camping is also available.

This campsite was featured on NPR Marketplace

Campsite is closed during hunting season. 

About the property:

Trembling Gardens is my 10 acre swamp camp paradise in the rural suburb of Rice Lake.  The property is about 20 minutes away from downtown Duluth and Canal Park and has easy access to the North Shore.

A water filter is provided by the awesome camp host.

A damp walk in, but nothing some good hiking boots won't solve.

An Amity Creek creek chub. Catch one and then fish for a brook trout.

Balsam Ridge Retreat


Hello friends! Yes, we are open!!

Thanks for your interest in Balsam Ridge Retreat! As you may know, we've been on pause for several months taking care of my aging mom. She is still with us but we're going to open up for the beautiful winter months!

Many folks that have visited our place refer to it as 'country living in the city'.

 We are so blessed to live in this little piece of serenity just inside the city limits of Duluth.

 It was once an abandoned house that sat for years, until a friend mentioned to us that it might be going up for sale.

 We loved the location and rolled up our sleeves. Twenty years later we still marvel at the beauty around us and can hardly believe that we LIVE here!

Just down the road is a trout stream and just beyond that was a popular farm that attracted many folks to this neighborhood

for hay rides and sleigh rides. The farm has since retired it's horses and closed it's doors to make room for new homes,

but memories live on in the beauty of the open fields. I often imagine the sound of horses and sleigh bells and people singing carols and then warming up around a toasty fire sipping hot cocoa. Some of those memories live on right here at Balsam Ridge (minus the horses). Over the years many groups of folks have enjoyed a sense of community in these back woods no matter the season. Campfires, kids catching frogs, neighborhood campouts, snow picnics, hair-raising toboggan runs, family campouts, spiritual silent retreats, a take-your-breath-away giant swing, and some tales too daring to mention are all part of the fun.

 This is why we do what we do. We've been given much, and love to give back. It just wouldn't seem right to keep all this good to ourselves.

Showers

Trash

Floodwood Municipal Campground

Floodwood Municipal Campground: A Hidden Gem in Northern Minnesota

Nestled along the scenic St. Louis River, Floodwood Municipal Campground is one of the Northwoods’ best-kept secrets. Conveniently located on the outskirts of the city in a quiet residential neighborhood, this city-owned and operated campground offers a peaceful retreat with modern amenities.

Exciting Recent Upgrades!

Floodwood Municipal Campground has recently undergone a major renovation to enhance your camping experience, including:

✅ Remodeled and upgraded shower house for added comfort.

✅ Newly widened roads for easier access throughout the campground.

✅ New camping pads and electrical pedestals, with all sites offering water and electrical hookups.

✅ On-site septic dump station for added convenience.

✅ Brand-new ADA-accessible fishing pier, made possible by a grant from the Minnesota DNR.

Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).

Originally secured by the City of Floodwood in the 1970s to preserve outdoor recreation for future generations, the campground continues to be a welcoming haven for campers, hunters, anglers, and boaters alike.

Whether you're looking for a base camp for your next outdoor adventure or a relaxing getaway in nature, the City of Floodwood is ready to welcome you! Book your stay today and experience the charm of this beautifully upgraded campground.  Firewood available for sale on-site.

Staying several nights? Save on booking fees by booking directly with our Camp Host, Scott Condra, at 325-253-7538. Scott is also happy to answer any other camping questions you may have!

Hidden Pines

Come get away in our grove of balsam pine trees in a rural area with lots of wildlife to see and hear.  We have 5 primitive campsites, one for large groups and three for smaller more private camping and one drive in site for camping out of vehicle or tent .   We offer un mapped hiking trails onsite and there is plenty of activities to do within 10 to 15  miles from camp. Activities include swimming at local beaches, Nemadji State Forest, General CC Andrews State Forest,  ATV riding, lots of great fishing lakes, several rivers for kayaking and canoeing, local restaurants, coffee houses, movie theater, general store, shopping, antiques/craft,  grocery, gas, local brewery, agate center, fire museum.  

The land was purchased by the Sway family in the late 70's from a farmer and has been in the family since. We are one of the 4 current land owners of this property and plan to keep the land in the family as long as we can.

Our home was built in 2011 on part of the property.   Since living here we have used the land for hiking, gardening,  wood harvesting, selling Christmas trees, and now we are excited for our new adventure of opening a small part of our land for camping.

 We are excited for you to enjoy our land as much as we do.

Blue Pony Acres



Welcome to Blue Pony Acres. Thirty eight years ago we bought the remaining acreage and buildings from a northern Minnesota dairy farm. We have always enjoyed sharing our beautiful piece of the planet with friends. We want to share the beauty we experience every day with you. Leave your cubicle and the city life for a short respite in the north woods and enjoy one of our campsites. Bring your kids, your dog, camera, canoe, kayaks, and bikes. Pitch a tent or swing a hammock in the pines. Enjoy your private campfire while you hear the stars sing, watch the northern lights dance and count the shooting stars. On a clear night you might see satellites pass overhead. Lay your sleeping bag on the ground, snuggle in with hot chocolate and smores and watch the night light show in comfort.

After a long day of hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing or photography cook over your private campfire. The firewood is free! Exercise and walk your leashed dog in the state land adjacent to your campsite.  A private composting toilet is available at each campsite (we do not have vault toilets),

We are 3.5 hours north of Minneapolis, MN., and one hour north of Duluth, MN. The Saint Louis River carry in landing is only 3.2 miles from your site. A 5 mile drive gets you to the Mesabi Trial, over 160 miles of paved hiking and biking trail stretching from the Mississippi River on the west almost to the boundary waters and Ely, MN on the east. Local lakes within a few minute drive have public landings for boat launch and canoe carry in for your boating and fishing enjoyment. The famous Sax-Zim Bog is within a half hour drive and a great place for wildlife photography, and they have an interpretive center and very nice volunteers to help you identify wildlife. We’re about 5 miles south of the United Sates Hockey Hall of Fame; a great day trip for you and your sports minded children. A few miles further and you’re outside the doors of the Natural Harvest Food Co-op; a great shop for organic foods. Get local fresh food for your evening meal.

Sneak into Lisa’s raspberry patch for “desert” or pick some hopps from the back fence in September and take them with you for your next home beer batch. I’m told they’re “Cascade Hopps”. They have a grapefruit taste. Mmm good!

We invite you to join us. Bring your camping gear, including camp cook stove (sometimes we’re under a fire ban). Ask your dog to bring it’s leash, yes we have a leash law. Warm clothes and light clothing as the weather changes. Rain gear. Your favorite bug repellent. Good hiking boots. Don’t forget bikes, canoes, kayaks, cameras, fishing gear, and maybe some band aids. Come to unplug and unwind and enjoy the clean air and sweet smell of the north woods. 

Come on up North!

Come on up North!

A horse eye view of the campsites from the south field

Campsite #1. A shady site under the mother white pine. Soft pine needles to set the tent.

Our renter. She's a good neighbor. Her name is May and she loves to cuddle. Say "Hi" when she comes near the campsites. She loves a fresh grass handout.

Some like to nestle their tent among the pines. Soft pine needle floor and privacy.

One of our spare tents. A 16 foot diameter by over 7 foot height. 

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