“You should go up north and go camping,” my spouse blurted out while on an evening bike ride. “It will do you good to get out of the city, away from your laptop, and reset now that you’ve finished that project.” My first instinct was to argue and list all the things I still had to do. “You’ll always have a long to-do list. Take a long weekend and go sit in the woods. It’ll be good for you,” he insisted. He was right, of course. I’d been dreaming of enjoying some quiet time camping in the Finland State Forest for weeks. And this was my chance.
Last-minute plans
For years, we were the people who planned all of our adventures a year in advance, optimizing every holiday and weekend. But the last few years have felt too busy to plan ahead. So rather than perfectly planned adventures and campsites, we’ve done a lot of winging it—and it’s been surprisingly fun. There’s something exciting about not knowing where you’ll end up. And exploring new places with a solid backup plan ensures everything always works out.
There’s an abundance of wonderful first-come, first-served campsites throughout northeast Minnesota. With more than 450 first-come, first-served campsites spread throughout northeast Minnesota’s state forests and the Superior National Forest, there’s a good chance you’ll find the perfect spot. This is especially true if you prefer camping on weekdays, as I do.
In 2018, I achieved my goal of visiting every Minnesota State Park and Recreation Area. Since then, I’ve set my sights on the less popular state and national forests in search of hidden gems. While I’ve visited every state and national forest campground, I haven’t camped at them all. There’s always an urge to return to favorite places I know I’ll love, but my curiosity often gets the best of me, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. That’s how I found myself heading to the Finland State Forest.
Fabulous Finland
Some of my favorite places are random small towns that virtually no one has heard of. The locals probably don’t want me sharing their secrets, but while there are fine places to see, eat, and shop in more popular towns like Duluth and Grand Marais, I prefer the small towns like Finland and Silver Bay. I’d been aware of the two campgrounds just outside of Finland for years, but I’d never camped at them. And I was very curious what they were like.
There are three campgrounds in the Finland State Forest, two of which are located off Highway 1 near Finland. Highway 1, which runs from Ilgen City on Highway 61 to downtown Ely, is the most beautiful paved road in Minnesota, in my opinion. It’s especially lovely in late fall when the tamaracks are ablaze with amber—bonus points if there’s a fresh dusting of snow. In addition to being an unforgettable drive, you’ll also find four national forest campgrounds between Finland and Ely. It’s the ultimate built-in backup plan.
With this summer’s relentless heat, I decided to stop for a hike on the Superior Hiking Trail on my way to the campground, before it got too hot. After a stunning but humid six miles, I was back on the road, stopping just once more for gas and firewood. While it’s legal to collect dead and downed wood in Minnesota state and national forests, I choose to buy it from local vendors to do my part to prevent campsite sprawl. Not to mention, I don’t particularly enjoy processing firewood. It’s also important to remember to never move firewood in Minnesota—or anywhere, for that matter. Invasive species like the emerald ash borer can be easily and unknowingly transported, threatening the health of our forests.
After completing my last errand, I made my way to my first choice of campgrounds. I chose the Finland Campground because even though ATV trails run through it, I thought it would be the quieter of the two. Five minutes down the road, the Eckbeck Campground is just as lovely and also hugs the edge of the Baptism River. I would have been happy at either spot, but I was delighted to find that eighty percent of the campsites were unoccupied at my first choice that afternoon. I had a hard time picking which of the wonderful options I would call home for the next few days. After getting set up, I went for a walk to check out the grounds and listen to the peaceful sounds of the Baptism River.
Forced relaxation
The next morning brought more of what this summer had been known for—lots and lots of rain. So I took advantage of the opportunity to slowly sip my coffee and finish a book I’d been reading. During the height of a busy summer, nothing is more luxurious to me than being forced to sit and read.
I was planning to head out for a hike that afternoon, but it seemed everyone else had the same plan, so I decided to stay put and enjoy an afternoon with the campground to myself. I walked around, snacking on Juneberries until my fingers were stained purple. Then I sat by the river and watched the birds, identifying two new species I’d never seen in the wild. It was an unexpectedly perfect afternoon.
The following morning, I packed up and hit the trail I’d been planning for the previous day. It was the perfect finale to a wonderful camping trip in the Finland State Forest—a special place I’d be happy to visit again.
Planning your trip to the Finland State Forest
Camping in Minnesota state forests is simple and straightforward: you just show up, find a spot, pay your fee, follow the rules, and have fun. While I’ve never had an issue finding a first-come, first-served campsite, I’ve found most campgrounds to be quite full on Saturday nights. If you must arrive on a Saturday, try to show up earlier rather than later, aim for less popular campgrounds, and have a backup plan.
I always recommend having at least two backups when planning a first-come, first-served camping trip, and as I mentioned, there are plenty of options up Highway 1 in the Superior National Forest.
So much to do
If you enjoy sitting around and relaxing while camping, this is a great place to do that. But it’s also an excellent jumping-off point for countless adventures.
For hikers: There are several great trailheads to access the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) nearby, including the breathtaking Section 13 Cliffs. If you enjoy hiking on the SHT, I highly recommend investing in their guidebook to find everything you need to know about the trail, parking, and other insider tips.
The back entrance to Tettegouche State Park is also nearby. From here, you can hike to the historic Tettegouche Camp, up to Mt. Baldy, or create your own loop on the park’s 23 miles of trails.
George Crosby Manitou is another excellent place to hike. If you’re new to the park, I’d recommend the challenging Hiking Club loop to the Cascades of the Manitou River. If you’re looking for an easier way to stretch your legs, a stroll around Benson Lake is always a lovely experience.
For water sports enthusiasts: Pack your paddleboard or kayak and take a cruise around Benson Lake at George Crosby Manitou or nearby Lax Lake. If you packed your fishing rod, take a few casts at the Lax Lake fishing pier or drop a line in the Baptism River.
I know I’m not alone in using the word “busy” to describe our short Minnesota summers. But just because we didn’t have time to plan in advance doesn’t mean we can’t squeeze in a perfect last-minute camping trip. The Finland State Forest is a great place to do that.
Bonus tip: Don’t forget a photo op with St. Urho while you’re out exploring.
Planning Resources:
- Northeast Minnesota’s State Forests
- Guide to Camping in Northeast Minnesota’s State Forests
- Superior National Forest Camping Guide
- Finland State Forest Information
- Superior Hiking Trail Guidebooks
- Firewood Guidelines for Minnesota