Manitou Backpack Campsite #1

Earning the View: Manitou Backpack Campsite #1 in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park

For Minnesotans drawn to the rugged, untamed beauty of the North Shore but seeking an escape from the Highway 61 crowds, Manitou Backpack Campsite #1 offers a definitive, challenging wilderness experience. This campsite is located within the unique George H. Crosby Manitou State Park—a park specifically designated for backpacking only. Unlike its more developed counterparts along Lake Superior, Crosby Manitou demands effort, rewarding visitors with profound solitude and breathtaking views of a wild, cascading river valley.

Campsite #1 is one of approximately 21 primitive hike-in sites scattered along the park’s trails, most of which flank the fast-flowing Manitou River or Benson Lake. Its designation as one of the earlier river-area sites means it’s close enough for a quick trek yet far enough to achieve that crucial sense of isolation. The journey to the site, which can range from 1 to 1.5 miles from the trailhead, is immediately immersive, taking you through a dense forest of fir, cedar, and northern hardwoods characteristic of Minnesota's Lake County highlands. This site is for those who prioritize the tranquility of the forest over conventional amenities.

Location and Accessibility

Manitou Backpack Campsite #1 is located within George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, which is situated inland from Lake Superior on the North Shore.

• Official Park Location: George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, near Finland, Minnesota. The administrative address is listed near Lake No. 1, MN 55614, USA.
• Driving Access: The park entrance is located eight miles northeast of Finland. You must drive inland from Highway 61 via State Highway 1 and then County Road 7 (Cramer Road). This inland location contributes to its quiet, less-traveled reputation compared to other North Shore parks.
• Hike-In Only: The park has no drive-in or cart-in campsites. Campsite #1 is accessible only by foot via the park’s trail system. Reports suggest it is a hike of approximately 1.0 to 1.5 miles each way from the main parking lot.
• Trail Route: Hikers typically follow the Yellow Birch Trail and then connect to the Manitou River Trail to reach the lower-numbered river sites. The terrain is rugged, featuring steep climbs, rocky footing, exposed roots, and mud, requiring appropriate hiking gear and preparation.
• Site Specificity: As a customer review notes, the site is situated "on a hill," suggesting challenging, uneven terrain around the main camping area, except for the dedicated tent pad.

Services Offered

The services at a Manitou Campsite are intentionally primitive, focusing on minimizing human impact and maximizing the wilderness experience.

• Tent Pad: The site features a small, cleared area for tent setup, though a reviewer notes the pad at Campsite #1 is small and may only "prob fit a 2 person tent," suggesting it is best suited for minimalist, small-group backpacking.
• Fire Ring: A permanent metal fire ring or designated fire pit is provided for contained campfires. Dead and downed wood may be collected in the backpack camping areas, though portable stoves are highly encouraged to reduce wood depletion. No campfires are allowed in the wilderness areas of the park.
• Latrine: Primitive pit toilets (field latrines or outhouses) are available near the campsite clusters for waste disposal.
• Water Challenge: A critical factor for this specific site: the review explicitly states there is "no water access to the river so you will need to pack in water." This confirms that, unlike sites directly on the river bank, this hill-top site requires all drinking and cooking water to be carried in or collected and filtered from the river via a separate trip. Note: Potable water is generally only available at the park office/kiosk.
• Food Storage: The site may include a bear pole or bear-proof food locker, or backpackers must bring their own method for hanging food away from bears and other animals, as is standard for North Shore wilderness camping.

Features / Highlights

Campsite #1's highlights center on its challenging location, offering unique views and a deep sense of seclusion rare for a State Park.

• Elevated Seclusion: The site's position "on a hill" grants it a significant feature: a greater sense of seclusion and better natural drainage. Furthermore, it offers "amazing views of the Manitou River valley and Lake Superior in the distance" from certain spots, as reported for nearby hill sites.
• Immediate Trail Access: The site is directly connected to the extensive trail system of the park, including the Manitou River Trail and the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), which runs through the park. This makes it an ideal overnight stop for thru-hikers or those planning multi-day loops.
• Rugged Terrain: The challenging nature of the hike (steep, rocky, rooted) is a highlight for serious backpackers, ensuring that the camp area remains quiet and isolated from casual day visitors.
• Proximity to the Cascades: The lower-numbered campsites are relatively close to the magnificent Cascades of the Manitou River, a stunning series of waterfalls and pools that provides a major scenic reward for the hiking effort.
• Dark Sky Potential: Being inland and surrounded by dense forest, the park offers excellent opportunities for stargazing due to the low light pollution, with one user noting openings in the tree cover for decent nighttime views.

Contact Information

All inquiries regarding Manitou Backpack Campsite #1 must be directed to the main administrative authority for the park.

• Park Address: George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, 750 Cramer Rd, Finland, MN 55614 (closest major access point).
• Park Management: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) - George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.
• DNR Information Center Phone: (888) 646-6367 or (218) 226-6351 (Direct park office number, though the park is not continuously staffed).
• Reservations: Camping must be reserved in advance. Reservations are processed online through the Minnesota DNR Parks & Trails reservation system or by calling the central number.

Permit Note: A Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permit is required for entry, in addition to the campsite reservation fee.

What is Worth Choosing: The Campsite #1 Challenge

Choosing Manitou Backpack Campsite #1 is worth it for the dedicated Minnesota backpacker seeking a rewarding challenge and true forest seclusion on the North Shore.

• Ultimate Seclusion on the North Shore: George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is renowned as Minnesota's most primitive State Park, offering a deep wilderness feel that other popular North Shore parks cannot match. Campsite #1's elevated, off-river location enhances this solitude.
• A True Backpacking Test: The combination of a challenging, rugged trail and the explicit need to pack in all your water is a true test of planning and physical endurance, providing deep satisfaction upon successful completion.
• Strategic Trail Access: Its location provides seamless entry to both the park's internal loops and the lengthy, celebrated Superior Hiking Trail, making it a perfect logistical starting or stopping point for longer treks.
• The Unplugged Experience: With spotty cell service and no immediate access to amenities, this site forces a complete focus on the natural environment, perfect for a genuine digital detoxification and immersion in the boreal forest.

For the Minnesotan adventurer who believes the best things are earned, Campsite #1 offers a unique, rugged, and intensely rewarding experience at the height of Northwoods backpacking.