Manitou Backpack Campsite #6

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesota's seasoned hikers and those who yearn for true, unspoiled wilderness, **Manitou Backpack Campsite #6** represents the pinnacle of North Shore camping. Located within the intentionally rustic and rugged **George H. Crosby Manitou State Park**, this site is one of 21 primitive, hike-in only destinations. The park was designed to offer a genuine backcountry experience, contrasting sharply with the developed campgrounds found elsewhere along Lake Superior’s scenic drive. If you are looking for car camping or easy access, this is not the place; but if you seek solitude, challenging trails, and the raw beauty of the Northwoods, Campsite #6 delivers.

The entire park, thanks to a generous land donation, emphasizes low development and high environmental preservation. Choosing Campsite #6 means committing to a multi-mile trek over challenging, steep, and rocky terrain. This effort is richly rewarded with a secluded setting where the only sounds are the wind through the cedar, fir, and spruce forests, and the nearby rushing waters of the Manitou River. It's a place where Minnesotans can truly disconnect, practice self-reliance, and fully immerse themselves in the state’s wild, beautiful northern landscape.

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📍 **Location and Accessibility**

Manitou Backpack Campsite #6 is situated deep within the boundaries of the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, a North Shore gem accessible from **County Highway 7** near the small town of **Finland, MN 55603**. The official address provided, **Lake No. 1, MN 55614, USA**, serves as a general geographic marker for the area but does not pinpoint the exact location of the campsite itself.

Access to the park is via a combination of paved and unpaved county roads off the main Highway 61. Upon arrival at the park's main parking area (where self-registration for permits occurs), the journey to Campsite #6 begins entirely on foot. Campsites in this park are scattered from half a mile to four-and-a-half miles from the parking lot. Campsite #6 is typically located a **moderate to long distance hike** in, likely along the rugged **Manitou River Trail** or one of its connecting loops, requiring a minimum of a few miles of challenging hiking.

The trails are known for being steep, rocky, and containing significant elevation changes, traversing the park’s volcanic canyons and gorges. Visitors must be prepared for true backcountry hiking conditions, including carrying all gear. **Cell phone service is extremely limited or non-existent** once you leave the trailhead, necessitating careful planning, pre-downloaded maps, and a thorough check of trail conditions before starting your hike.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

Campsite #6 is a primitive backcountry site, meaning amenities are limited to those necessary for a low-impact wilderness stay. Campers must arrive fully prepared to be self-sufficient, including carrying all food, water, and emergency supplies.

• **Designated Primitive Site:** The site features a signed clearing with two established tent pads, helping to consolidate impact and preserve the surrounding vegetation.

• **Stone Fire Ring:** An official fire ring is provided for building small, contained campfires, though all local fire restrictions must be strictly observed. Only dead and downed wood found nearby may be collected for use.

• **Latrine Access:** A rustic field latrine (pit toilet) is provided in the vicinity of the campsite for waste disposal.

• **Bear Safety Pole/Cables:** Essential for food safety, the site includes a pole or cables for hanging food and scented items out of the reach of bears and other curious wildlife.

• **Non-Potable Water Source:** The site provides access to water from the **Manitou River** or a nearby stream. **This water is NOT safe to drink without treatment.** Campers must bring a high-quality filter or chemical treatment methods.

• **No Trash Service:** This is a **pack-in, pack-out** park. Everything brought into the site, including all garbage, must be carried back out to the trailhead.

• **Seating:** Rustic log benches or other natural seating may be available.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

The inherent difficulty of reaching Campsite #6 is precisely what unlocks its exceptional wilderness features and highlights for the prepared Minnesota adventurer:

• **Profound Solitude and Quiet:** Due to the park’s backpack-only policy, Campsite #6 offers a level of seclusion rarely found in other State Parks, guaranteeing a truly peaceful escape from the modern world.

• **Manitou River Immersion:** Like many of the park’s river sites, Campsite #6 is situated near the **Manitou River**, offering easy access for water filtering and the constant, calming sound of the rushing water, a classic Northwoods experience.

• **Gateway to Rugged Trails:** The site provides direct access to the park's extensive network of over 24 miles of trails, including the highly challenging sections that connect to the **Superior Hiking Trail (SHT)**. This is a haven for serious hikers and trail runners.

• **Old-Growth Forest:** The park is home to beautiful, dense stands of old-growth conifers and northern hardwoods. The site is framed by this majestic forest, offering a unique, historic canopy and excellent birdwatching opportunities.

• **Waterfalls and Scenic Overlooks:** While the exact view from #6 is site-specific, its location in the park's rugged core means the renowned **Manitou River Cascades** and spectacular high-ridge overlooks are accessible via a challenging day hike.

• **Authentic Northwoods Wildlife:** With fewer visitors and deep forest cover, the chances of spotting Minnesota wildlife, such as moose, deer, and even signs of bear and timber wolves, are higher here than in more trafficked parks.

• **Superior Stargazing:** Away from all major light pollution, the park offers incredibly dark skies, making it an ideal location for astronomy and viewing the vastness of the northern night sky.

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📞 **Contact Information**

For essential information, reservations, and current conditions within the George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, please use the Minnesota DNR contact options. Reservations for this popular, limited-capacity park are highly recommended and can be made up to a year in advance.

Address (General Park Area): Lake No. 1, MN 55614, USA (7616 Co Hwy 7, Finland, MN 55603)

DNR Information Center Phone: 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157

Reservations Phone: 866-857-2757 (Minnesota DNR Reservations)

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✔️ **What is Worth Choosing**

Manitou Backpack Campsite #6 is an unequivocal choice for the Minnesota local who seeks to test their skills and refresh their spirit in a truly wild environment. **What is worth choosing is the park's successful commitment to a genuine, unadulterated wilderness aesthetic.**

This site is perfect for the backpacker who considers the challenging hike a feature, not a barrier. It’s for those who appreciate a quiet campfire, the ability to collect deadfall for heat, and the satisfaction of leaving an area as pristine as they found it. The seclusion afforded by the distance from the trailhead, combined with direct access to some of the North Shore's most breathtaking and rugged trails, makes the experience here deeply rewarding.

In choosing Campsite #6, you are choosing a low-impact adventure where the focus is entirely on the natural world: the magnificent forests, the rocky river gorge, and the untamed trails. Be prepared, secure your reservations early, and embrace the remote beauty—this site offers a memorable piece of the Minnesota Northwoods that few ever get to see.