Our Camping Trip at Grand Marais Campgrounds and Adventure Exploring the North Shore
We are not extreme campers by any means, but we love giving it a go at least once a year. We chose Grand Marais Campgrounds in downtown Grand Marais, which was our first time.
We made a couple of stops along the way which you can check out here: LINK TO BLOG POST
I have always wanted to explore these parks up north that are just too far away from the Twin Cities to even be able to do a day trip to visit them. This was our chance at enjoying the Minnesota North Shore to the fullest!
Our campsite was to say the least cramped. Despite COVID, you could tell that this campsite was made to fill the area to make the most money a day and because of that there was not much privacy at all other than being in the safety of our tent and politely ignoring both families on either side. The more private options were tucked further in the woods up the hill, which is something we would be open to doing in the future. But with how cramped we all were in the space I don’t think we would do this campsite again. I did love how close it was to downtown and in walking distance of the Java Moose Coffee shop. I wanted to try the World Best Donut shop which I have been following on Instagram for over a year. Save your heart the disappointment; they were just the world’s OK-est donuts. Nothing life changing but the shop was right next to the bay in walking distance of our campsite. It was relaxing to eat them right on the still water and then make our way to the Grand Marais Lighthouse.
Our campground sits right across the bay from this little lighthouse. In the morning we took our time and walked over to the lighthouse after eating our donuts. The lighthouse is small but sits above crystal clear water on Lake Superior. I would say this an easily accessible stop you should enjoy on your next trip to downtown Grand Marais.
Artist Point Lighthouse - Downtown Grand Mairas
Grand Portage National Park
This was a completely paved walking trail up until you got to the ramp to get to the waterfall views. I thought it was such a cool idea that they made this park wheelchair accessible. I do not believe I have seen that before to this compacity. This park was also within sites of the Canadian border. Marcus and I have been at the Canadian border three times now without having the ability to cross over. (The border is currently closed due to COVID.) The walk was pleasant and close to the parking lot. I greatly enjoyed the view of Minnesota’s Tallest Waterfall! Dunder loved it too. (See photo below)
Judge C.R. Magney State Park- Devil’s Kettle
My brother Christian inspired this spot a long time ago when he introduced me to it! The 4th photo (bottom left) has a water fall on the left that they still do not know where the water goes. It just goes to a hole in the ground. It is so up north that is has been years later since first hearing about it that we were finally able to make our way up to see it ourselves! The stairs to these falls were monsters! Seriously, this was the most we worked on our little weekend get away to get to the falls and back. I think Marcus ended the day with well nearly 30,000 steps on his watch. Be sure to bring your hiking shoes if you want to see this one for yourself.
I enjoyed our adventure up the North Shore. I highly recommend it. Please comment if you want recommendations!
Can’t Get enough of what you see?! I don’t blame you!! I wrote a blog on where to stop on your way up the North Shore and How to Prepare for your engagement Session at a State Park! Check them out if you are craving more North Shore goodness.
