The best camping near Nemadji State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Nemadji State Forest adventure.

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Discover Nemadji State Forest's natural beauty and outdoor activities.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Nemadji State Forest

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The Wooded Retreat/breakfast/spa

5 sites · Lodging8 acres · Pine City, MN

Situated just 3 miles from the interstate, our retreat offers the tranquility and beauty of a state park while being conveniently accessible and private with comforts of home! Prepare to be mesmerized by the stunning grounds featuring rolling hills, towering white pines, and a variety of deciduous trees. Immerse yourself in nature's beauty with ponds and trails scattered throughout. Discover an abundance of flowers and wildlife that call this haven home. On our 9 acres we have 5 private ponds, 3 unique cottages ; and a vintage safari tent on a platform! With all of our cottages (sorry not the tent) we provide a breakfast basket in your refrigerator. For ALL guests on the Wooded Retreat we now have a Spa Cottage! (State of the art exercise equipment and a two person infrared Health sauna) Each space is strategically placed on the property to provide utmost privacy and beauty. Welcome to the Wooded Retreat and don't forget to bring your camera and binoculars!

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Amnicon Adventures & Retreats

8 sites · Lodging, Tents600 acres · South Range, WI

At Amnicon you'll find the perfect blend of far-enough-away and easy-enough-to-get-to. We're located at the end of a 5-mile-long dirt road, just 30 minutes outside of Duluth, MN. Our site features 600 acres of protected forests along the Amnicon River on the South Shore of Lake Superior. The wildlife is abundant, and we even have an eagle's nest on site. You'll enjoy falling asleep to the sound of the waves on Lake Superior, and waking up to 118+ species of birdsongs. We have an enormous sandy beach on Lake Superior that's a great place to watch the sunset and have a SMALL campfire. You're going to love it here.

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Cloverdale Cabins

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Hinckley, MN

Cabin is shared with 2 other tiny home options on the same property. Contact me to host up to 16 guests. Cabin hosts 8 guests and the other 2 tiny homes host up to 4 guests each. Inquire about booking your large party group as our calendar is filling up for the summer and into the fall. Charcoal Grill available for your use on site. Guests supply the charcoal. There is a fire pit on site as well. Guests supply the firewood.

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Reflections- Unique Modern A Frame

1 site · Lodging4 acres · Brook Park, MN

This modern A Frame cabin was completely remodeled. Located on 4 acres of woods on a quiet gravel road, you'll love the peace and serenity. Whether you want to wander the paths, listen to the birds, or start a fire on a starry night, this is the place. Fully furnished with kitchen, full bathroom, laundry and a loft to look out at the stars from the skylights. Pull out couch on main level to comfortably sleep 4. You'll enjoy the front and back decks to hang out- drink your morning coffee, look for the owls or throw dinner on the grill. Firepit for long nights and unlimited firewood.

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Meadow Cabin

2 sites · Lodging1 acre · Pine City, MN

The first time I drove up and saw the river, I knew it was a magical spot. Fishing, kayaking, swimming. Relax by the firepit, play games in the cabin. Put your feet up by the fireplace on cool evenings. Located close to Chengwatana State Forest. Kayak down to the St. Croix river.

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Balsam Ridge Retreat

8 sites · Lodging5 acres · Duluth, MN

Hey folks! Chris and I are taking a short break during the change of seasons. We're hoping for a big snowfall this winter, and that would be a good reason to open up at least a few of our sites! Keep an eye on our calendar if you'd like to experience a slice of winter in Duluth! 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.

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Off Grid Lakeside Yurt

1 site · Lodging24 acres · Sandstone, MN

Your yurt overlooks Tamarack Lake. You will have privacy tucked away in the pines with your own setup of kitchen, picnic area, fire pit, and wood fire tub. A hand pump well with delicious clean water is available as well as a personal composting toilet within view of your yurt, through the trees. Our cabin is about 80 yards away and we are always happy to answer questions and lend a hand. Your yurt comes with a small kitchen that includes a two burner stove, grey water sink, pots, pans, dish ware, and utensils. French press, kettle, coffee and tea are provided. You are also welcome to use the outdoor wood fired cooking set up. The yurt has a wood fire stove that keeps the space toasty year round. Firewood is included for your stay. There is no electricity or running water but we provide a lantern and water inside the cabin. We have a small cast iron wood fired tub that overlooks the lake just outside your yurt! If interested let us know and we can assist. This is a great location for each season. With your booking you will have access to the canoes and our dock. Tamarack Lake is wonderful for fishing panfish, pike, and smallmouth. Come fish any season! You can enjoy yourself exploring via canoe or relaxing with a book at our dock! With nearly 10,000 acres of state land out the backdoor and many trails, adventuring can always be done no matter the season. We enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry xxsking, and hunting depending on the time of year. It is a big property, but sometimes there are crafting classes, such as basketry, wild food education, hide tanning, etc. While most weekends are quiet around here if you’re looking for privacy feel free to check in with us to make sure we are not hosting classes during your stay. We are looking forward to having you at the lake! Also there are more pics on Instagram @hex_and_strand Thanks =)

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Yurt on the River

1 site · Lodging14 acres · Saginaw, MN

Sit by the fire, gaze at the night sky, float down the river, and just unwind. Our yurt sits on the edge of a wild woods on the banks of the Cloquet River overlooking a meadow that is an active forest restoration project currently in process. From your door, you can access a loop of trails that wind through the woods, to the river and back to the yurt. There are also 100+ undeveloped public acres to the North accessible by kayak or a canoe. Enjoy getting back to basics. There is no electricity or running water in the yurt. Camp lanterns and solar lights are provided as is refillable fresh water and a propane camp stove/oven with pots/pans/utensils. The yurt is heated solely by a wood stove and there is plenty of firewood a short distance away with a sled or wagon to use for hauling. A campfire pit is just outside the yurt with a hanging grill and grilling tools. A detached outhouse is a short walk from the yurt and is for your use alone when you're here. In the winter, a Luggable Loo is available to bring to the yurt to eliminate trips at night in the cold to the outhouse. The yurt contains a queen bed with linens and a single camp cot available on request. Dogs are welcome in the yurt! We do charge a $25 pet fee per reservation. If you'd like to bring a dog or dogs (limit 2), please add the Pet Fee which is listed as an extra during the booking process. In the warm months, 2 kayaks, 1 canoe, and 3 inner tubes are available for exploring and enjoying the river (along with paddles and two life vests). You can start from our dock, paddle upriver as far as you'd like and float back down, which is extremely relaxing. If you'd like a shuttle upriver to a public access point for a half day's (or so) paddle/float back to the yurt, add this as an extra to your reservation during the booking process and message me with your preferred day/time. We charge $25/per person with a limit of two. This section of the river (from the Independence access at Hwy. 53 to our dock at Co. Rd. 7) is an easy paddle containing two Class 1 sets of rapids which are calmer the higher the river level. If the weather or river conditions make this unsafe, unpleasant or impossible when you arrive, we will issue you a refund. There is another option for a starting point farther upriver, put-in at Bachelor Road if you're looking for a full day's trip. This section contains a few more sections of Class 1 rapids. **Note that duration of either trip varies and is determined by the level/flow rate of the river. There is also great fishing and swimming in the river! **Note: Poison ivy grows along the banks of the river. I keep it abated at the dock and boat landing area but it's a good idea to wear water shoes and know your poison ivy identification. In the winter, two pairs of snowshoes are included for long quiet walks through the woods and on the frozen river where winter wildlife sightings are frequent! **Note: The last few years have not been cold enough for the river to freeze completely over, so snowshoeing on the river, highly unfortunately, has not been available. Always check with me before venturing out on the river ice. If there is any open water at all, DO NOT venture out. This is extremely dangerous! Exercise caution with dogs! **Another note: Train sounds and some road noise can be heard from the yurt. The train has been described as "quite loud" by some guests and as sounding "off in the distance" and pleasant by others. The crossing is a half mile down the road. If you're sensitive to sounds, a light sleeper, or looking for complete quiet, please take this into account. Ear plugs are available in the yurt.

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Superior Beach Camp

2 sites · Tents10 acres · South Range, WI

Escape to Superior Beach Camp and immerse yourself in the beauty and privacy of a cleared camping area situated above 500' feet of sand and pebble beach on the world’s greatest lake. Agate campsite is very generously sized and is all yours. Surrounded by a mix of poplar and birch with a few white pine sprinkled in, the main camp area is set back from the lake atop a 70' bluff with peekaboo views of Lake Superior. A short walk down a private path from your campsite gives you access to a beautiful Lake Superior beach to swim, skip rocks, search for agates, or just enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and the town of Duluth on the opposite shore. Agate campsite previously featured a "look out point" that has been altered by the natural erosion of the red clay banks that comprise much of Lake Superior's south shore. While you can still access this area, doing so will require more effort and care, and we no longer allow camping on the point. Superior Beach Camp located is 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities and perfectly positions you to discover all the wonders of the Twin Ports. Explore this amazing area or stay at camp, set up your chair in the sand and take in the many moods of Mother Superior. Watch the ships come and go to the sparkly backdrop of Duluth’s city lights. The crackle of a driftwood fire on the beach provides the perfect soundtrack as you watch for shooting stars and the aurora. Stock up on supplies and explore the charming industrial town of Superior, WI – 15 minutes from your campsite. Spend a day mountain biking the Duluth Traverse and touring the the wonderful local dining and tap room scenes of Duluth and Superior. Canal Park, downtown Duluth, is a 25 minute drive. If you’d like to venture further, you could meander up the North Shore. Or keep it local and check out Bayfield and the Apostle Islands – only 75 minutes East. Stop through the charming lakeside village of Cornucopia on your way. Or perhaps you’d like to experience world class trout fishing on the Brule River a half hour from Superior Beach Camp. Maybe Parks are your thing: Amnicon Falls, one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful State Parks, is reachable in 10 minutes by car. Drive a half hour further to Pattison State Park and take in Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall. On the Minnesota side, the magic of Jay Cooke State Park is 30 minutes west (and puts you on the doorstep of legit white water rafting). Whether you're looking for solace and relaxation in a blissful [great] lakeside setting or simply seeking a convenient place to rest your head while exploring the many adventures a stone’s throw from your campsite, there is something for everyone who camps here. Superior Beach Camp is a clean, quiet, peaceful, primitive setting. We appreciate that our campers help us keep it this way; remember to pack in any supplies or provisions you need, and leave no trace when you depart so our next guests can enjoy a clean campsite.

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Trembling Gardens

2 sites · Tents10 acres · Rice Lake, MN

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.

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Bundo's Cabin

2 sites · Lodging10 acres · Finlayson, MN

This cabin was built by hand in the 1970s from white pine that was harvested and milled on-site. Our family purchased and rehabbed this beautiful cabin throughout 2021. Indoor and out, there are so many ways to relax and connect with loved ones during all seasons at Bundo's Cabin. Learn more about this land: Where the forest meets the field. Unplug and relax at Bundo's Cabin with extraordinary views of wildlife and endless outdoor opportunities. The modern yet cozy cabin has electricity and features a front patio, an external outhouse and outdoor rainwater bucket shower, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, a living area, and a sleeping loft with a reading nook. No matter the season, this cabin is a wonderful, cozy, and clean, place to relax and unwind. Feel free to roam around the 10-acre property and explore the 80 acres of state land to the north. Deer, foxes, coyotes, turkeys, owls, eagles and more are likely to be seen or heard. Explore, Banning, Moose Lake, and Father Hennepin State Parks which are all within 30 minutes, and return to the cabin to read, play games, listen to records, have a fire, and relax. The kitchen provides you with everything you need to prepare your meals including a refrigerator, small freezer, stove, oven, cookware, cutting boards, sink, seasonings, oil, and coffee. Water for washing is available from an electric pump faucet in the kitchen, and a brand-new outhouse is located steps from the cabin. The cabin is efficiently heated and cooled with a user-friendly heat pump and gets the cabin to your desired temperature very quickly. We are grateful to honor the Dakota and Anishinaabe people whose land we occupy by donating $10 from every booking to the Makoce Ikikcupi Land Recovery Project. This project is actively working to return the land to the indigenous people from whom it was stolen. You can learn more about this project in reparative justice at www.makoceikikcupi.com.

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Pondside Clayworks

12 sites · RVs, Tents14 acres · Esko, MN

Discover our private property in Esko, MN, offering a peaceful retreat. Please note that there are no water or electric hookups, and there is no onsite public restroom or facilities. Situated near Jay Cooke Park, Lake Superior, and the Lake Superior Hiking Trail, you'll find an abundance of outdoor activities nearby. The city of Cloquet, where you can access essentials like Walmart and grocery stores, is conveniently close. As this is our family's home and property, we kindly ask for quiet and respectful behavior. Be aware of a nearby train track, and be prepared for occasional train sounds. Feel free to share the space with our two friendly dogs – Bernice, a large Bernedoodle, and her sister/sidekick, Selena, a small Yorkie Bichon. They roam freely on our property, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. We look forward to hosting you in our family-friendly environment!

The best camping near Nemadji State Forest guide

Overview

About

The Nemadji State Forest sounds like something out of Lord of the Rings, and it kind of is! Vast swamplands blanket the south, leading to gently rolling uplands that are broken by steep stream valleys, while dense forests extend to the northeast. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a hobbit hiding out in some hole deep in the woods?

With about 100 miles of trails dedicated to ATV and OHM riding, you’re more likely to see people on their off-road toys. There are amazing hiking trails here as well. Your trusty hiking staff will go a long way in this forest. So go find Samwise Gamgee (aka a friend) and set off on an epic adventure!

When to go

The best times to visit Nemadji State Forest are during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer offers lush greenery, but be prepared for busier trails and potential heat. Winters are harsh, with heavy snowfall limiting access to certain areas.

Know before you go

Check the latest park updates for any road or campsite improvements that may affect your visit.
Always adhere to safety guidelines, especially when heavy machinery is operating in the area.
Be mindful of the local wildlife and maintain a safe distance at all times.
For any inquiries, the park can be reached at 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367.
Stay informed by signing up for email updates from the park's official website.