Have Any Lake Superior Shore Recommendations?

RTWCTS

We are planning to tour along the US side of Lake Superior this summer. We'll be starting at Sault Ste Marie, MI and travelling to Grand Portage, MN. We have never been to Michigan and only been to southern Wisconsin and Minnesota. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

marleecamps

The North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais is spectacular, very similar to Acadia NP.  But also extremely popular.  There are several state parks along the shore, all terrific.  Campsites can be hard to come by, given the 120 day advanve reservation period.  But cancellations do occur, since it's a common practice to book 14 days in order to secure a site and then drop the days not needed at a later point.  

Map of MN state parks:  https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/map.html

Reservation site:  https://reservemn.usedirect.com/MinnesotaWeb/

Good luck!

marleecamps

Another fun area is Bayfield WI and the Apostle Islands.  The only island accessible with a vehicle is Madeline Island - a ferry runs back and forth multiple times per day.  You drive on and pay for overall length.  (Alternatively, you can ride as passengers for a fun day trip while camping on the mainland.)  There are two campgrounds on the island:

http://www.bigbaytownpark.com/

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/bigbay

There is a tour boat that will take you around several of the islands.  Bayfield is a really fun town to explore.  I spent many years sailing out of there - beautiful area.

RTWCTS

Thanks so much for the reply @marleecamps! Sadly, we are all too familiar with how some folks plan their time on the road (overbooking).

We've already reserved 9 days in the municipal campground in Grand Marais to bookend an event at the North House Folk School. We need to find something near Two Harbors to see stuff at that end of the North Shore...and soon.

We'll look at the stuff around Bayfield too!

kottum

About 150 miles north of Silver Bay is Wooden Frog Campground, all primitive sites, on Lake Kabetogama.  You'll be within one of the country's finest wilderness areas, if you want to get away from the touristy north shore.  Perhaps my favorite spot in Minnesota the I was young, last visit was 30 years ago.

For the best experience, see if you can reserve a boat and motor from one of the local resorts and go exploring and fishing the many islands and inlets of the lake.  We had our own boat, spent much of day fishing, swimming, relaxing, shore lunch of walleye on an island, and return to Arrowhead Lodge (rustic old log lodge then, probably still is) for supper and a visit to the little bar, and then walk to camp.  There's nice little swimming beach there as well.

If you like wilderness camping/canoeing and rustic lifestyle, a month would be a short visit.

elbolillo

Another nice spot is Ninemile campground close to Finland. Beautiful lake, secluded but not too far from HWY 61. Grand Portage is a wonderful slice of history.

RTWCTS

Thanks @kottum and @elbolillo! We will check those out. Hoping to make some more reservations later today.