🌝 2024 Solar eclipse: Book now for 4/8

The best camping near Pat Bayle State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Pat Bayle adventure.

Discover the natural charm of Pat Bayle State Forest.  

Popular ways to camp

Top-rated campgrounds near Pat Bayle State Forest

Booked 3 times

Gunflint Trail Yurt on Private Lake

1 site ¡ Lodging44 acres ¡ Grand Marais, MN
Located in an area of exceptional beauty and solitude. The Gunflint Trail Yurt is in a remote oasis located on 44 acres with access to its own private environmental lake. The yurt may act as a great hub to explore all that the Gunflint Trail has to offer, along with being on the "lower trail" so-in close proximity to the charming town of Grand Marais and the North Shore. There is plenty of hiking, canoeing, berry picking, fishing and outdoor activities galore. The yurt has a picnic table and fire ring for outdoor cooking, Drinking and cooking water can be hauled from well. Guests bring their own sleeping bags, pillows, cookware and outdoor cooking stove. Like camping, there is no electricity. If you like the sounds of birds, this is the place to be!
from 
$90
 / night
88%
(8)

Grand Marais Get-A-Way

1 site ¡ RV, Tent10 acres ¡ Grand Marais, MN
Site: ***2024 Update - The hillside campsite is now cleared and available for tent camping. Driveway has been extended (now 115 feet long) , two firepits have been constructed (one at end of driveway & one on hillside campsite) and picnic table on site. We are currently accepting bookings for Spring/Summer/Fall of 2024. A 10 acre secluded forest site nestled between Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains. This is a single site property; enjoy complete privacy during your booking dates. Property is primitive and dense with trees/ground cover. 115 feet of cleared driveway is best spot for RV set up; levers likely needed as driveway is gravel is uneven in spots. Tent camping with firepit on hillside campsite. Second firepit at the end of the driveway. Hiking/Biking Options: There are no marked trails on the property. For guests interested in hiking we recommend: 1) The 310 mile Superior Hiking Trail easily accessible at multiple locations throughout Grand Marais OR 2) The Woods Creek Superior Hiking trailhead approximately 1 mile from property; parking lot at trailhead. Biking not possible on site but nearby gravel roads are an option for advanced riders or bikers looking for a challenging ride. For other biking options, including family friendly routes, check out: www.visitcookcounty.com. Site is a private 10 acres forest plot. A perfect primitive home base for laid back families and seasoned adventurers. Tired of the outdoors? A 10 minute drive takes you to downtown Grand Marais with restaurants, shops and Artists Point. Come enjoy the picturesque Minnesota North Shore!
from 
$40
 / night
96%
(12)

Boundary Country Trekking

2 sites ¡ LodgingGrand Marais, MN
For centuries the people of the Mongolian plateau have found yurts to be comfortable, convivial dwellings. These round, peaked-roofed, canvas-covered huts are warm and cozy. Over the past twenty years hundreds of skiers traveling the Banadad Ski Trail have found our yurts to be comfortable winter lodging. Now you can enjoy the comfort of a wilderness yurt all year round at the new Tall Pines Yurt. Do not forget to bring your sense of adventure. Inside the yurt Members of the Minnehaha Academy Ski Team The Tall Pines Yurt is located on the edge of the Boundary Waters near a stand of old growth white pines and on Hooker Lake, named by some comic loggers. Half of the lake is in the Boundary Waters. The Tall Pines, twenty-foot housekeeping yurt, is attractively furnished and is set-up to accommodate up to four people, sleeping on a futon and bunk beds. Additional cots or bunk beds can be brought in for larger groups. The yurt is heated by a wood stove / fireplace, has overhead gas lighting and a camp kitchen with pots, pans, dishes, utensils, cook stove, dining table and chairs. Ask us about making camp coffee. Outside is an attached deck. A firepit, charcoal grill and most importantly, a Finnish sauna are nearby. Outhouse is located near the yurt also. Hooker Lake is a natural environmental lake, requiring a significant setback for any structure. Over the years forest growth has occured around the shore, which has limited the visibility of the lake from the yurt. This lake is slowly turning into a bog and in the summer, it's surrounded by lots of bog flowers. It is a pretty lake, but not suitable for fishing or swimming. Yurters can drive over to the Bed & Breakfast and fish and swim in Little Ollie Lake or portage into a nearby lake. During the non-snow months you hike in three hundred feet from the summer parking area. The trail to the yurt connects to some of the finest mountain biking trails in the area. Hiking trails are just out the door and a canoe is provided for your use. During the winter the yurt is an exclusive silent sports accommodation, accessible by a 1-kilometer ski or snowshoe trek on a groomed trail from the Lace Ski Lake Trail or winter parking area. The eastern trailhead of the Banadad is 2 kilometers away by skis. For the adventuresome skier, Boundary Country Trekking offers Yurt to Yurt Skiing between the Tall Pines and Croft Yurts along the Boundary Waters longest tracked trail: the Banadad. In the winter, we bring in your luggage and food containers. In the summer, you can drive to a parking area near the yurt if you drive a high clearance vehicle. We supply and bring in your water.You bring in your drinking water containers. Year around, we recommend a picnic cooler to hold your food and ice. Ice is available at a local grocery, a three mile drive. During the winter, the Tall PInes yurt is not available on weekends or holidays, until one week before a weekend or holiday. The Tall PInes yurt is available for yurt to yurt resevations only for weekends and holidays. Pets welcome at the Tall Pines Yurt for a nominal fee. All our accommodations, including the Tall Pines Yurt, are smoke free. Because the yurts are located deep in the woods you might be visited by mice. We keep traps in the yurts and we run the mice trap line often.
from 
$121
 / night

Patagonia Cabin: Lake Superior View

1 site ¡ Lodging3 acres ¡ East Cook, MN
A 2020 build, this dovetail log cabin overlooks Lake Superior from a hilltop, a perfect vantage point to see the Aurora. Whether you are catching the sunset on the deck, exploring the endless surrounding woods, or playing a card game by the fire, this space offers the ultimate cabin experience. ⋇Lake Superior Views ⋇2 min Walk to The Lake Superior Beach ⋇9 miles from Downtown Grand Marais ⋇Backyard Access to Superior Hiking Trail ⋇Backs Superior National Forest The space This primitive build has a natural way of connecting its guests to the simple pleasures of simpler times. Enjoy first-hand the awe-inspiring vistas, sunrises and long lingering sunsets, relaxation, and unpretentious hospitality of this cabin retreat. Patagonia Cabin was crafted by local polar explorer Lonnie Dupre and us, the owners. At just over 300 sq ft this the cabin is both quaint and spacious boasting an open floor plan and cathedral ceiling. Built for travelers seeking a retreat in a sustainable stay, we designed this cabin to offer all the necessities one would need in thoughtfulness of nature: solar power for lighting and charging electronics, gas fireplace and stove, A-frame outhouse and rain barrels for wash water. The inspiration for Patagonia Cabin came from our time spent living in Argentina, which is where our story together began. Our hope is that travelers can enjoy the same serenity from nature in this rustic refuge that our journey’s brought us. The interior has been thoughtfully curated with unique decor from Patagonia, Argentina and local Grand Marais artists. Inside + Dishes, pots, pans, cutlery, kettle & all basic necessities for cooking. + Linens & Towels + Gas Fireplace + 2 Burner Gas Stove +Drinking water in jugs +Ground Coffee, tea & hot cocoa + Premium Memory Foam Mattress Outside + 2 Pairs of Snowshoes + Fire Pit + Propane Grill (summer only) + Hammock +Lake Kits - Please enjoy our complimentary packable lake kits which include two packable fold out chairs, a cooler tote and weatherproof picnic blanket. *Some of the above supplies are seasonal. Please see our FAQ regarding these items. **Special occasion? Enjoy our concierge services such as laundry, mid-stay cleans, celebration packages, fresh flowers and more! Guests will have access to our store and services upon booking. Cook County Rental License: 2024-045-VR Guest access Guests have access to the entire cabin, grill, fire pit, deck, private parking, and large wooded yard backing the Superior National Forest. The recreational activities: beach combing, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, fatbiking, snowmobile... Other things to note FAQ: Is this cabin for everyone? — Not exactly… We want to be clear that this is an off-grid cabin that was meant to be used as a rustic retreat. We know that not everyone digs an outhouse. Is the bed upstairs? — Yes. The bed is located in the high loft which can only be accessed by a steep ladder. Guests use at their own risk. Is there Wifi or cell network service? — There is some cell signal. Verizon tends to have much better reception than At&t or T-Mobile. There is no wifi… some say for an even better connection :) What is a “dry” cabin? — This means you will be completely off-grid: solar-powered lighting & charging, plumbing free, outhouse, etc. What about water? — We provide drinking water in larger jugs May-October. Guests will need to bring any drinking or wash water November - April. We have rain barrels in summer months for collecting wash water. In winter snow can be melted for wash water. What is your bathroom situation? — We have an A-frame outhouse just next to the cabin. For showering, guests can consider visiting the Grand Marais Rec park for a $4 shower, Sauna at Sisu & Loli in town, or buy a $10 day-pass to the Grand Marais YMCA to take advantage of the gym, workout facility, showers, hot tub, sauna, and pool. Do you have a coffee maker? — We have a pour over and filters for your use. Do you have a grill or fire pit? — Yes, May through Oct. We have a propane BBQ. We supply the propane and utensils. There is a fire pit. Wood bundles can be bought in town. Guests are free to use fire pit year round but are responsible for snow removal to use it if they wish to do so. How remote is the cabin? — The cabin is easily accessed (approx. 300 ft) just off Hwy 61 on a maintained driveway. Your views are woods, nature & Lake Superior. While this cabin is completely private, there are neighbors several hundred feet through the woods. However, just as most cabins close to Lake Superior, you could have some road noise. Winter Conditions: We recommend AWD/4WD vehicle from Nov 1 to April 30. 2 wheel drive vehicles are free to use the parking at the bottom of the driveway (300ft from cabin). Due to plowing shortages we cannot guarantee that the road will be plowed on a daily basis. We have 2 parking spots available at the bottom of the driveway in the case that guests are uncomfortable with driving the steep hill or that the conditions are unfavorable to do so. It is approximately a 300ft walk up to the cabin from the bottom of the driveway. Pets: 
We do not make exceptions to our Airbnb no-pet policy other than service animals. Any pet hair will result in a minimum $250 fine regardless of any circumstances and any additional billing that the cleaners require for excess cleaning due to pet residue.
from 
$288
 / night

The best camping near Pat Bayle State Forest guide

Overview

About

Look out folks, cause the view up here is 100% spectacular! Where are we? We are at the top of Eagle Mountain, Minnesota’s highest point. At the very tippy top it’s a whole 2,301 feet above sea level, rising from the heart of Pat Bayle State Forest.

To get here, you’ll have to travel all the way to the far northeast corner of the state. But boy is it worth it! Besides the hiking and the I-gotta-whip-out-my-camera-right-this-minute views, there’s a smorgasbord of year-round activities to keep you busy all 365 days. Fishing, boating, snowmobiling, dogsledding and ice fishing are all on the rotating seasonal menu, and those are just the starters. So get on up to Pat Bayle and dig in!

Notable campgrounds

  • The Walter Stark Horse Campground provides an equestrian-friendly camping experience with road and campsite improvements underway.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot at the popular Walter Stark Horse Campground, especially during peak seasons.
  • Check for cancellations regularly as plans change and spots may open up unexpectedly.
  • Consider visiting during the weekdays for better availability and a quieter camping experience.
  • Explore nearby camping options if the Walter Stark Horse Campground is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Pat Bayle State Forest is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer offers lush greenery but can be busy, while winter may present challenges with snow and cold temperatures.

Know before you go

  • Check the latest park updates for any road or campsite improvements that may affect your visit.
  • Remember to pack essentials for outdoor activities, including sturdy footwear for hiking and appropriate gear for horseback riding.
  • Be aware of local wildlife and practice safe viewing from a distance.
  • Ensure you have a valid fishing license if you plan to fish in the forest's waterways.
  • For any inquiries, contact the park office between 8:30am to 5pm for assistance.

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Hipcamp is the most comprehensive resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover and reserve tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.