Manitou Backpack Campsite #19

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesota residents seeking a true test of their backpacking mettle and a break from conventional campgrounds, **Manitou Backpack Campsite #19** offers an unforgettable, rugged wilderness experience. This site is located within the unique boundaries of **George H. Crosby Manitou State Park**, a park deliberately preserved as a backcountry haven, focused entirely on hike-in camping and wilderness solitude.

Campsite #19 is part of the park's network of remote sites, and its location is defined by its challenge and reward. According to customer reviews, reaching it involves a **"really steep up boulders to the top"** after a relatively flat approach. This demanding ascent is part of the experience, ensuring that those who reach the top are rewarded with a truly secluded spot.

Crucially, this is a **small site**, noted as having **"only room for 1 tent up there."** This characteristic makes it highly appealing for solo hikers, couples, or those who prioritize maximum privacy. While the remoteness is a major draw, visitors must be prepared for the terrain and the limited space. As a state park backpack site, a permit and fee are required, which is a key difference from the free-to-use Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) campsites in the surrounding area. The rugged nature, combined with the required fee, ensures a less crowded experience than more easily accessible North Shore parks.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

**Manitou Backpack Campsite #19** is located within **George H. Crosby Manitou State Park**, a wilderness park intentionally set off the main tourist route of Highway 61. The park's administrative address is often referenced via Tettegouche State Park (Silver Bay, MN 55614) or the general area of Lake No. 1, MN.

Accessibility is **strictly on foot**; the park contains no traditional drive-up or cart-in camping. Campsite #19 is considered one of the closer sites to the parking area, situated near **Benson Lake**, an area of the park known for its trout fishing and easier trail sections.

• **Distance from Parking:** The hike to Campsite #19 is relatively short for a backcountry site, estimated at approximately **1.5 miles (one-way)** from the trailhead parking lot.
• **Trail Conditions:** The trail begins with a **"flat boardwalk around the lake"** (Benson Lake Trail) but culminates in a famously **"really steep up boulders"** section to reach the elevated campsite. This final ascent is challenging and requires careful footing.
• **Access Road:** To reach the park itself, local users typically take State Highway 61 to Illgen City, then turn onto State Highway 1, followed by a drive on the gravel Lake County Road 7 (Cramer Road) to the park entrance.

This remote location in the North Shore highlands ensures spectacular views and a genuine sense of solitude, befitting the park's designation as a wilderness camping experience.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a state park backpacking campsite, **Manitou Campsite #19** provides a defined set of primitive services, which require hikers to be largely self-sufficient, following the park's ethos of wilderness preservation.

• **Designated Single-Tent Area:** The site features a **single, level tent site**, as noted in reviews, confirming its suitability for one small tent or party. The surrounding area is also noted as being better suited for hammock tents due to the slope of the hill.
• **Fire Pit:** A designated fire pit is provided for contained campfires. Reviews mention a **"fire pit and 1 burned log bench,"** indicating a standard amenity for cooking and warmth.
• **Field Latrine:** The park provides basic pit or vault toilets (field latrines) in the vicinity of the campsites, a short distance away, for proper human waste disposal. There are no flush toilets or showers in the park.
• **Natural Water Source (Lake Access):** The site is located on a steep hill above Benson Lake, which serves as the primary water source for this cluster of campsites. **All water must be filtered, purified, or boiled** before consumption.
• **Potable Water (At Trailhead):** The only reliable source of potable, treated water is typically a hand pump located near the park entrance/parking area, requiring hikers to carry in or filter all water needed once they pass the trailhead.

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🌟 **Features / Highlights**

The appeal of **Manitou Backpack Campsite #19** lies in its unique attributes that cater to the experienced, solitude-seeking Minnesota backpacker.

• **The "Knob" Location:** The campsite is situated on a steep hill or "knob" above Benson Lake. While the climb is strenuous, the elevated position suggests potential for **breezy conditions and better views** over the lake and the surrounding forest, offering a high-reward experience.
• **Guaranteed Privacy:** Its designation as a **single-tent site** ensures exceptional privacy and solitude, a rare and highly valued feature in a popular state park system.
• **Short Access Hike (Relative to Backcountry):** At only 1.5 miles from the parking lot, it serves as an excellent introduction to true backcountry camping, allowing hikers to spend less time hiking and more time enjoying the serene environment.
• **Access to Benson Lake:** The proximity to Benson Lake offers opportunities for fishing (trout and splake, requiring a Minnesota license and trout stamp) and enjoying the scenic boardwalk that loops around the lake.
• **Challenging Terrain:** The **"steep up boulders"** section provides a genuine physical challenge, satisfying the desire of many local adventurers for a rugged and memorable hike.

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📞 **Contact Information**

**Manitou Backpack Campsite #19** is part of the reservation system for George H. Crosby Manitou State Park. Contact information is maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

• **Address (Park Office c/o Tettegouche State Park):** 5702 Highway 61, Silver Bay, MN 55614 (Nearest administrative office)
• **Park Location:** 7616 Lake County Road 7, Finland, MN 55603
• **Phone (Park Office):** (218) 353-8800
• **Reservations:** Reservations are required and must be made through the Minnesota DNR's online system or phone reservation line.

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✅ **What is Worth Choosing**

Choosing **Manitou Backpack Campsite #19** is a choice for the **solitary, prepared, and highly active** Minnesota backpacker. It is worth choosing for the following reasons:

The **Unmatched Privacy and Seclusion** make it a standout. For those who yearn for a truly private escape from the crowds, the guaranteed single-tent setup ensures quiet and personal connection with the North Woods. This level of solitude, combined with the required permit, makes for a high-quality wilderness experience.

The **High-Reward, Low-Mileage Challenge** is ideal for weekend warriors. The short 1.5-mile approach allows hikers to quickly escape to the wilderness, while the extremely rugged, steep final climb satisfies the need for a physical challenge. This site is perfect for those who want a true backcountry feel without committing to a multi-day, high-mileage trek. The view and the serenity at the top are the well-earned rewards for navigating the "steep up boulders."

Finally, its location within **George H. Crosby Manitou State Park** is a key advantage. This park is specifically dedicated to the backpacker, offering some of the most rugged, least developed, and most pristine trail systems on the North Shore, guaranteeing an authentic Minnesota wilderness adventure.