Manitou Backpack Campsite #12

Introduction / Overview: Earning Your Solitude on the North Shore

For Minnesota residents who love the rugged beauty of the North Shore and the challenge of backpacking, Manitou Backpack Campsite #12 in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a premier destination. This park is intentionally set apart from the typical drive-in state parks, offering 21 unique campsites that are accessible only on foot. Site #12 sits in a secluded cluster along the park's extensive trail system, offering a deep-woods experience that is quintessentially Minnesotan.

Campsite #12 requires a committed hike—typically falling in the moderate to longer distance range (likely around 2 to 3 miles, given its placement between the closer lake sites and the deepest river sites). This distance ensures a high level of privacy and quiet, filtering out casual visitors and reserving the space for those willing to carry their gear into the backcountry. The surrounding environment is defined by the park’s signature rugged terrain: steep hills, rocky paths, and a dense, beautiful forest of fir, cedar, and northern hardwoods. This is not car-camping; it's an authentic wilderness immersion, perfect for those seeking to disconnect entirely and spend their time exploring the park's dramatic waterfalls and connecting with the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT).

Location and Accessibility: A Rewarding Hike into the Wilderness

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is located near the community of Finland, Minnesota, inland from the main tourist corridor of Highway 61, providing an instant feeling of escape.

The general address used for the park entrance and parking area is: Lake No. 1, MN 55614, USA.

Access to Campsite #12 is solely by hiking. While the exact distance varies depending on the specific route taken through the trail system, sites in this mid-range section (neither right by Benson Lake nor deepest on the Manitou River) generally require a 2 to 3-mile trek one-way. This hike is considered moderately difficult. The park's trails are notoriously rugged, featuring steep climbs, exposed roots, and challenging footing. Campers must pack in everything they need, so proper gear, good physical preparation, and allowing ample time to arrive before dark are essential. The reward for the effort is arriving at a truly secluded site, far from the road noise and the main parking area bustle. This distance and the challenging terrain are what give the park its unique wilderness character—a feature highly valued by seasoned Minnesota adventurers.

Services Offered (Primitive Backpacking)

The services at Manitou Backpack Campsite #12 are designed for low-impact, primitive camping, ensuring minimal disruption to the beautiful Northwoods environment.

• Tent Pads: The site provides designated, cleared, level areas for pitching tents, helping to protect the surrounding vegetation and ensure a comfortable foundation for sleeping.
• Fire Pit: A metal fire ring (often a recently upgraded pit with a moveable grate) is available for contained campfires. Campers are permitted to gather dead and downed wood in the vicinity for small campfires.
• Food Storage: The site is equipped with a bear pole or secure bear box for the mandatory storage of all food and scented items, critical for safety in this bear and wildlife habitat.
• Water Source: As a backcountry site, there is no potable water source at the site itself. Water must be obtained from a nearby stream or the Manitou River and must be filtered, purified, or boiled before drinking.
• Sanitation: A primitive field latrine (outhouse) is located nearby for proper human waste disposal. Vault toilets are available only at the main trailhead parking lot.
• No Trash Service: Consistent with "Leave No Trace" principles, all campers must pack out all garbage and waste.

Features / Highlights: Unplug and Explore

Campsite #12 offers key features that define a classic George H. Crosby Manitou experience for the local backpacker.

• Genuine Seclusion: The mid-range distance ensures high privacy and a minimal chance of encountering other groups, providing the quiet solitude that defines a true wilderness escape.
• Access to Rugged Trails: The site is perfectly positioned for access to the park's extensive 24-mile trail system, including routes that lead to the stunning Cascades of the Manitou River and the dramatic volcanic canyon.
• Superior Hiking Trail Connection: Campers have convenient access to the sections of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) that traverse the park, making it an excellent overnight stop or a basecamp for longer trail exploration.
• Ideal Basecamp Distance: The 2-3 mile hike is long enough for immersion but manageable enough for a weekend trip, allowing hikers to set up camp and then spend their remaining time completing strenuous day hikes without constantly moving camp.
• Northwoods Scenery: The campsite is set within the park’s gorgeous mix of northern forest, providing excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and immersion in the sights and sounds of the wild North Shore.

Contact Information

All administration and reservations for the park are managed through the Minnesota DNR system, as the park itself is unstaffed.

Address: Lake No. 1, MN 55614, USA (General Park Area)

Reservations: Booking is mandatory and must be done through the Minnesota DNR State Park reservation system (online or phone).

Phone: For official park inquiries, current conditions, and rules, contact the Minnesota DNR Information Center or the staff at the nearby Tettegouche State Park.

What is Worth Choosing: The Sweet Spot of Backcountry Camping

Manitou Backpack Campsite #12 is highly recommended and worth choosing for Minnesotans who have some backpacking experience and are looking for the "sweet spot" within the park's offerings.

This site provides the perfect balance between the ease of the closer Benson Lake sites and the extreme effort required for the deepest river sites. You get significant solitude and a true backcountry feel without the exhausting 4-plus mile haul.

Choosing Site #12 means committing to a rewarding hike on the rugged North Shore trails, a foundational experience of this region. It is a fantastic opportunity to test your backpacking skills on demanding terrain and feel the accomplishment of earning your overnight spot.

Its location allows for strategic day hiking. You can use this spot as a central base to explore the beautiful river cascades to the south and the highland views to the north, maximizing your time spent exploring the untamed beauty of the George H. Crosby Manitou wilderness.

For an unforgettable, private, and challenging North Shore backpacking experience, secure your reservation for Campsite #12 and prepare for the kind of quiet, deep-woods adventure that defines Minnesota's wild spirit.