Manitou Backpack Campsite #9

### 🌲 Introduction / Overview

For Minnesotans seeking a genuine escape from front-country camping and a deep dive into the North Shore wilderness, Manitou Backpack Campsite #9 in George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is an exceptional choice. This state park stands apart by exclusively offering hike-in campsites, ensuring a profound level of peace and solitude. Campsite #9 is situated along the renowned Manitou River Trail, placing it roughly midway into the park's backcountry system.

The experience here is intentionally rustic and rugged, appealing to seasoned backpackers who value a low-impact, leave-no-trace adventure. Campsite #9 is known for providing the soundtrack of the flowing river, though access to the water can be challenging due to the rocky cliffs characteristic of the Manitou River valley. The site is nestled among balsam, spruce, and birch trees, creating an atmosphere of deep seclusion and quiet natural beauty, making it a true hidden gem for local adventurers.

---

### 🗺️ Location and Accessibility

Manitou Backpack Campsite #9 is located within the rugged boundaries of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, near the community of Little Marais, MN 55614, USA. Unlike drive-up campgrounds, access to Campsite #9 is solely by foot, requiring preparation and dedication.

The Backcountry Trek: This site is situated approximately 2.25 miles (2.25 miles) from the park's main parking area and trailhead. This mid-range distance means the hike is challenging but manageable for a committed weekend trip. The trail begins moderately but soon descends steeply into the Manitou River valley. Local users confirm the terrain is rugged, featuring uneven surfaces, tree roots, rocks, and steep sections—a reflection of the park’s commitment to a wild environment. While the trek is strenuous, especially with a fully-loaded pack, the 2.25-mile distance offers a great balance: deep enough for high seclusion, but not as far as the most remote sites.

The campsite is reachable via the extensive park trails, which connect to the larger Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) system. Campers must park at the trailhead and carry all gear to the site. The elevation change and technical footing demand sturdy hiking boots and careful navigation, rewarding the effort with deep immersion into the northern hardwoods forest.

---

### 🏕️ Services Offered

As a designated primitive, hike-in site, Campsite #9 offers only the essential, minimal amenities required to support low-impact camping in a wilderness setting. Campers must come fully prepared to be self-sufficient.

• Campsite Capacity: The site is equipped with two designated tent pads, making it suitable for two small tents or a standard family-sized tent and a small group (typically limited to four people per site).
• Cooking and Fire: An official fire ring is provided at the site, allowing for campfires unless burn bans are in effect. Visitors are encouraged to utilize small, portable camp stoves for cooking to minimize resource impact.
• Water Source: Campsite #9 offers access to the Manitou River nearby. However, rocky cliffs make access difficult. All water drawn from the river must be filtered, purified, or boiled before consumption, as no potable water is available at the campsite.
• Waste Management: The site includes a field latrine (vault toilet) tucked into the woods near the campsite to ensure proper management of human waste and maintain sanitation.
• Food Security: A bear pole or bear-proof food locker is available for safe storage of food, trash, and scented items, which is critical in this wilderness area populated by black bears and other wildlife.
• Pack-In/Pack-Out: As is standard for backcountry sites, there is no trash service. All garbage, waste, and unused supplies must be carried out by the camper.

---

### 🏞️ Features / Highlights

Campsite #9’s defining features focus on its location and the unique environment of the Manitou River valley:

• Riverside Ambiance: The site is close enough to the Manitou River to hear its calming rush, providing an immersive and serene background sound for your stay.
• True Seclusion: The 2.25-mile hike-in effectively separates the site from day-use visitors and the most accessible areas of the park, offering a significant degree of privacy.
• Forest Canopy: It is surrounded by a dense, beautiful cover of balsam, spruce, and birch, creating a secluded, shaded environment typical of the boreal forest.
• SHT Access: The trail leading to the campsite is part of, or closely connected to, the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), providing immediate access to one of Minnesota’s premier long-distance trail systems for day hiking or continued backpacking.
• Rugged Terrain Practice: The challenging hike serves as an excellent opportunity for Minnesotans to practice and refine their backpacking skills on rugged terrain before tackling longer, more demanding wilderness trips like those in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

---

### ☎️ Contact Information

Manitou Backpack Campsite #9 falls under the jurisdiction of George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, which is managed remotely by the staff at a nearby state park.

Campsite Location (General Area): Little Marais, MN 55614, USA

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park (Managed via Tettegouche State Park)

Phone: (218) 353-8800 (Tettegouche Office)

---

### ⛰️ What is Worth Choosing This Campsite

Campsite #9 is highly recommended for Minnesota locals who are looking for a rewarding balance between accessibility and a deep wilderness experience. It is often chosen by those who want to be near the Manitou River but are not quite ready for the longest hikes in the park.

• Choose Campsite #9 if you desire the seclusion of the Manitou River valley without committing to the 3- to 4-mile treks required for the more remote sites (like #14 or #15).
• It’s an excellent site for a first-time or intermediate backpacking trip, offering a serious but achievable challenge with a beautiful natural reward.
• The campsite’s location is a great point for exploring the Manitou River Cascades and other waterfalls in the park, many of which are situated along the river's winding course.
• The natural setting among the mixed forest cover provides a quintessentially North Shore camping experience, complete with the sights and sounds of the true northern woods.