This page contains affiliate links. Read our complete disclosure here.
A peaceful Monday evening rests upon me as I sit here sipping the last of the Voyageur’s growler we enjoyed while camping this Labor Day weekend. After a camping weekend away, it’s the little things in life that matter most, like the comforts of home. Andy and I are showered and Daisy is fast asleep in her kennel after being on high alert in the woods.
Three day weekends are best spent exploring and adventuring Minnesota’s beauty. Falling asleep to star gazing and waking up to the rain falling are just a couple of nature’s gifts we enjoyed this weekend.
We spent the weekend camping in Grand Portage State Forest. The forest has designated campgrounds which are scattered through the forest. You can also camp in the forest outside of campgrounds with certain regulations (please visit the website or call the forest ranger station for details). I prefer the designated campsites because they are cleared out and ready for campers, providing a fire ring and picnic table. Some people like camping off sites to get more of a backcountry feel. We did do some dispersed camping earlier in the summer, creating our own sites on the Ice Age Trail and in the Rum River State Forest. A great perk about state forest camping…it’s free!
The campgrounds in the Grand Portage State Forest contain drive-in campsites. However, after driving down a dirt road for 10-20 miles, the backcountry experience starts to set in. If you do research on this area, you’ll read “YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN” here. The research speaks the truth. We saw a couple fishing off a point at our campground, which consisted of a whopping three campsites. Later, one man arrived and inhabited one of the two remaining campsites. I’d recommend this area if you want a backcountry experience but are uncomfortable hiking away from your car. A car at the site is convenient to store food in verses hanging food bags.
The second Andy enters the backcountry, he’s on. By ‘on’ I mean he gets the saw out, the hatchet out, and begins looking for the driest wood he can find for a campfire that night. With the waist leash for Daisy, she’s right by his side, sometimes even carrying a small piece of wood herself.
I sat at our campsite, paging through Nature’s Garden, looking for the berries that might be around the area. Among our campsite were many of these…
I couldn’t fit it into any of the pictures or descriptions from the book so if you have input on what it may be, please share! I am curious if it could’ve been a topping for our oatmeal breakfast?
To begin the day Saturday, we hiked up to where the Superior Hiking Trail ends. This section of SHT is shared with the BRT (Border Route Trail).
The Superior Hiking Trail begins south of Duluth at Jay Cooke State Park and goes just over 300 miles to Grand Portage State Forest (where we camped). Many people hike smaller sections of the SHT, while some more extreme backpackers feel the need to conquer the trail in one trip by thru-hiking the trail. The more popular sections are closer to Duluth.
A beautiful 270-degree view of the Minnesota/Canadian border, we had the view to ourselves. We only passed two other hikers on the one-mile long hike to the overlook. Let me remind you that one mile in elevation change, however, is different than one mile on flat ground. We were sweating and heart rates up by the end. We nearly forgot we were only in Minnesota with such elevation change 😉
Next, we went to another portion of the trail which took us to the highest elevation point on the SHT. There was a parking lot with the typical Superior Hiking Trail wood engraved mileage signs accompanied by the shared trail book which hikers can enter small notes in for other hikers. We entered the trail at the sign and on we went. After about 20 steps we were on the dirt road again. Confused, we walked down the road looking for SHT signs on the trees.
Turned out that this part of the trail is shared with the logging road, so the trail is actually ON the dirt road for about 1 mile. I said to Andy the 20 steps on the trail through the tall grasses were just there for dramatic effect for hikers. We found the SHT signs a mile down the dirt path and hit the trail. A good portion of the hike was flat and took us through a site on the Superior Trail, Andy’s Creek campsite. All sites on the SHT are free and must be shared with if other campers arrive. Pictured below is typically what you’ll see at a Superior Hiking Trail site.
When we got to the highest elevation on the trail and all we saw a bunch of trees and a sign, I was slightly disappointed. I suppose I was expecting a 360-degree overlook view. Still, a milestone to mark down for the Superior Trail! We were slightly worried when we started descending and hadn’t reached a ‘highest elevation point’ yet! Just turns out the trail elevation changes a few times up and down before you reach the highest point!
A 12-mile round trip hike added up to one of the longest hiking days milage wise we have experienced hiking in Minnesota. Total time round trip was roughly 4.5 hours. Daisy kept up with us (or maybe she kept us going). She was even ready for more hiking that day!
After the 12 mile hike, we decided to ditch the backcountry for the evening and drive into Grand Marais about 40 minutes away. Pizza from Sven and Ollie’s, a growler of beer from Voyageur Brewing Company, and a North Shore view sounded well deserved.
Since 12 miles wasn’t enough for Daisy, we made one more stop before going back to our camp. We hiked at Judge Magney State Park to view the Devil’s Kettle waterfall. This hike has lots of steps….so be warned! A nice view of the falls awaits. The hike added 2 more miles to our day’s total making it a 14-mile day for us.
We drove back down the dirt road into camp, as it was getting dark. Highly recommend only driving these dirt roads in daylight if it’s your first few times coming to the area. Potholes and narrow roads make for a challenge in the dark (and fog, which we encountered as well when we left the next morning). Luckily, we didn’t get rained on until 3 AM Monday morning. The hammock and tarp kept us mostly dry.
Driving back to campsite 
Improvised tarp hanging (due to the tarp strap ripping off the night before) that led to a bit of water pooling on the tarp. Not too shabby.
The beauty of Minnesota is all the seasons we have. We seem to never be happy with the current season, as it’s common to hear “It’s too cold!” or “It’s too hot!”. I know I’m guilty of that. Instead of jumping to a negative reaction to the weather, take it in. Four seasons means four unique chances to explore nature in a different light.
The heat of summer camping season has wound down, and I can say that brings a smile to my face. I did take in the summer season at its best however the mosquitos in summer can become unpleasant while eating at camp. Hiking in the heat can be dreadful (dangerous too, stay hydrated!).
We are getting excited and ready for the fall camping season coming soon in full swing. Fall colors, camp coffee, and the sound of leaves crunching under my hiking boots….I’m ready to hit the trails again! What’s your favorite hiking season? We’ve never done winter camping but it’s high on the radar this year for us, any tips or ideas from an expert?
We couldn’t drive through Duluth without stopping at a favorite brewery/pizzeria in Superior, WI. The Thirsty Pagan, a favorite of our’s in the Duluth area for pizza. I suppose it was to also say hello to my brother Ben. Happy senior year Ben!
I hope all you readers found yourselves having a safe and happy Labor Day weekend and stumbled upon some adventures as well! Cheers to good times with friends, family and making memories.
Peace, love and hike thru life!
Andy and Sarah
Entire SHT is great, looks like you enjoyed your hikes! 😉