Cliff Creek Camp, Grand Marais, MN

Introduction / Overview

For the Minnesota backpacker, the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) represents the pinnacle of local, long-distance wilderness trekking. Cliff Creek Camp is a vital, designated stop along this famous footpath, located in the rugged terrain inland from the North Shore hub of Grand Marais. Unlike traditional drive-up campgrounds, Cliff Creek Camp is a pure, hike-in backcountry experience, offering essential amenities in an entirely natural, primitive setting.

This camp is not a recreational vehicle park or a facility with showers and electricity; it is a fundamental component of the SHT's infrastructure, designed for overnight stays by hikers traversing this challenging and beautiful landscape. It embodies the 'Leave No Trace' ethic, providing designated areas to minimize environmental impact while maximizing the feeling of deep forest immersion. Reviews consistently highlight the camp's deep seclusion within a dense forest, noting that the journey to reach it involves the classic "up and down lots of steep terrain" that the SHT is known for. This very challenge ensures that only dedicated hikers arrive, preserving the quiet, wilderness ambiance that locals cherish in Minnesota's Arrowhead region.

Cliff Creek Camp is often noted for being one of the larger campsites in the region, sometimes even functioning as a group site due to its ample space, including multiple tent pads and good hammock hanging opportunities. Its primary function is to serve as a reliable overnight stop for those section hiking or thru-hiking the challenging northern sections of the SHT near the Canadian border.

Location and Accessibility

Cliff Creek Camp's address is simply listed as Superior Hiking Trail, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA, which succinctly describes its nature: it is accessible only by foot along the designated SHT footpath. It is situated in the vast Superior National Forest, somewhere along the challenging sections of the SHT between trailheads like Pincushion Mountain and the Kadunce River Wayside, or the farther northern trailheads.

For local users, accessibility means planning a hike. To reach Cliff Creek Camp, you must park your vehicle at a designated Superior Hiking Trail trailhead—such as Pincushion Mountain or one of the County Road access points near Grand Marais—and hike the necessary mileage. The distances between SHT campsites are carefully laid out in the Superior Hiking Trail Association's (SHTA) guidebooks and maps, requiring hikers to plan their daily mileage carefully.

The terrain leading to Cliff Creek is known to be particularly hilly and dense, typical of the North Shore's unique geography where the trail traverses steep ridges and drops into deep river gorges. This location is designed for backpackers with appropriate gear and experience, and it is entirely self-sufficient—there are no nearby roads, no immediate vehicle access, and no cell service, forcing a complete and rewarding disconnect from modern life.

Services Offered

As a designated backcountry facility on the Superior Hiking Trail, Cliff Creek Camp provides services that are minimal, free, and designed for high-impact resistance and low environmental footprint, adhering to strict Leave No Trace principles. Critically, SHT campsites operate under a no-fee, no-reservation policy.

The basic, primitive services available to hikers at the camp include:

Designated Tent Pads: Multiple level, durable surfaces (dirt/mounded earth) are provided to pitch tents, minimizing impact on the surrounding ground vegetation. The site is noted for its roomy capacity.
Group Capacity: Due to its size, Cliff Creek is often cited as a larger, group-friendly campsite with at least eight tent pads, making it suitable for larger hiking parties (groups of 8 or more must register with the SHTA).
Backcountry Latrine: An open-air, self-composting pit toilet (latrine) is provided to manage human waste effectively.
Fire Ring: A centralized metal fire ring or rock ring is available for campfires, provided there are no fire restrictions in place from the Forest Service. Hikers must gather dead and downed wood only.
Water Source: A reliable, natural water source is available, typically identified as Cliff Creek itself. All water must be filtered or treated before consumption.
Seating: Simple log or rock benches may be provided around the fire ring for comfortable seating.

Features / Highlights

Cliff Creek Camp stands out as an excellent overnight stop on the Superior Hiking Trail, celebrated for its rugged seclusion and ideal physical features necessary for a comfortable backcountry stay.

Key features and highlights for backpackers and local hikers include:

Large, Roomy Site: It is one of the larger, designated SHT camps, offering a greater number of tent pads than many others, making it a reliable spot for securing a place to sleep.
Reliable Water Source: The camp’s location near Cliff Creek ensures a consistent water supply for filtering and cooking, an essential feature for backpackers.
Hammock-Friendly Trees: The surrounding dense forest, particularly noted by one customer as a "very dense in the forest camp area," provides excellent opportunities for hammock camping, which is a popular alternative to tents in the SHT system.
Dense Forest Cover: The deep, shaded forest offers a cool respite, especially appealing during hot Minnesota summer days, as noted by a reviewer who enjoyed the "great hike in the shade when it’s hot."
True Backcountry Feel: The camp is highly primitive, with sites separated by forest density, creating maximum seclusion and a true wilderness experience, far removed from road noise.
Challenging Hiking Terrain: The surrounding sections of the SHT are known for their steep ascents and descents, providing an invigorating physical challenge for local athletes and experienced hikers.

Contact Information

Since Cliff Creek Camp is a hike-in backcountry location and not a staffed facility, there is no direct phone number or staffed office on-site. The official governance and primary information source is the organization responsible for the trail.

Address: Superior Hiking Trail, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA (General Trail Location)

Primary Resource: Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA)

(Note: All trip planning, conditions checks, and emergency contact procedures should be handled before entering the trail section, as no cell service is expected.)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesota locals who are serious about backpacking, Cliff Creek Camp is a prime example of the accessible, yet deeply challenging, wilderness experience offered by the SHT. It caters directly to the local user who appreciates the distinct character of the North Shore's rugged terrain. The camp is suitable precisely because it is basic—it strips away commercial amenities and leaves only the essentials: solid ground, a fire ring, water access, and a latrine.

The 'no-fee, no-reservation' system aligns perfectly with the spirit of public access and spontaneous adventure, which is a significant draw for local residents planning weekend or section hikes. Moreover, its reputed size and seclusion make it a reliable destination, often necessary after a full day of navigating the SHT's famously difficult "up and down" sections. It’s an authentic test of skill and endurance, culminating in a deeply satisfying night spent deep within the embrace of the Superior National Forest—a quintessential Minnesota backcountry tradition.