Devil Track Lake Campground

- Grand Marais, MN 55604

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesota residents who feel the call of the deep North Woods, the Devil Track Lake Campground offers the perfect blend of accessibility and true wilderness seclusion. Situated within the vast expanse of the Superior National Forest, this federal campground is a quintessential primitive camping experience, offering a quiet, non-reservable alternative to the more bustling sites along the Lake Superior shore.

This is a small, intimate campground featuring 16 sites nestled among young pine trees right on the shore of Devil Track Lake. The name, which is a rough translation of the Ojibwe word for 'spirit,' hints at the peaceful, almost mystical atmosphere of the location. Unlike many commercial campgrounds, Devil Track Lake is designed to furnish only the basic needs of the camper, fostering a genuine connection with nature. It is a place where you can expect "plenty of room at each site" and "privacy," allowing you to truly unwind from the pace of modern life.

Testimonials from local campers consistently praise the seclusion, noting that you often "can't see other sites from your own." This is the ideal spot for Minnesotans seeking a secluded basecamp for fishing, hiking, and exploring the Gunflint Trail region. While the amenities are rustic—you won't find electricity or running showers—the trade-off is deep privacy and stunning lakefront access, making it a beloved hidden gem of the North Shore area.

Location and Accessibility

The Devil Track Lake Campground is located in a prime, though quietly secluded, area of the Superior National Forest, just a short drive inland from the coastal town of Grand Marais, MN. Its location provides easy access to North Shore attractions while maintaining a crucial sense of distance from the crowds.

The physical location is listed as Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA, but more specifically, it is found about 12 miles north of Grand Marais via County Road 8 (also known as County Road 57 past the fork). The drive, which is approximately 20-25 minutes from downtown Grand Marais, follows paved roads leading right up to the campground drive, ensuring relatively easy access even for those towing a moderate-sized RV or trailer (limited length).

The campground’s strategic position makes it a fantastic staging area:

• Proximity to Grand Marais: While feeling secluded, the town is close enough for quick supply runs, dining, or enjoying the local arts scene.
• Central to Wilderness: It is perfectly positioned for exploring the Gunflint Trail and the broader Superior National Forest, offering connections to major trails like the Superior Hiking Trail and proximity to Minnesota's highest point, Eagle Mountain.
• Water Access: The lakefront location features a carry-down boat launch and a pier within the campground, with a separate drive-in public boat ramp located just half a mile east, accommodating various boating needs on Devil Track Lake.

Services Offered

Devil Track Lake Campground is a federal site within the Superior National Forest, characterized by its "primitive" classification. This means the services are intentionally basic, focusing on environmental preservation and a back-to-nature experience. The following amenities are provided to ensure a comfortable but rustic stay:

• Campsites: 16 total sites are available, each featuring a cleared area, a picnic table, and a metal fire grate (or fire box) for campfires.
• Toilets: Vault toilets (pit toilets) are available throughout the campground.
• Water: Potable drinking water is available at a central location via solar-powered spigots. Campers must bring their own containers for transport.
• Waste Disposal: Trash disposal services are provided in the form of containers, which is a convenience not found at all primitive sites.
• Accessibility: The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning reservations are not accepted. Campers must arrive and register/pay at the on-site pay station for a fee (cash or check).
• RV Compatibility: Sites can accommodate RVs of limited length (up to 50 feet is mentioned for some back-in sites), but there are no electric, water, or sewer hookups.
• Winter Use: The campground is open year-round, with winter camping allowed free of charge, though roads are not plowed, water is shut off, and no garbage collection is available during this time.

Features / Highlights

What the Devil Track Lake Campground lacks in modern amenities, it more than makes up for in its natural features and the quality of the camping experience it provides.

The primary highlights include:

• Deep Privacy and Seclusion: This is the most frequently praised feature. The sites are large and "well-spaced, with trees between them," meaning you are "not bugged by your neighbors noise too much." Many sites are truly hidden from one another, providing a rare level of solitude.
• Lakefront Access on Devil Track Lake: The "premium sites are on the lake with Lake Access." Most campsites in the area have use of the lake, making it ideal for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing right from your site.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: Devil Track Lake is a known fishing lake, especially for northern pike and walleye, making the campground a favorite spot for anglers.
• Rustic, Unplugged Environment: The lack of cell reception in many spots (a user-reported feature) and the absence of electrical hookups enforce a genuine, unplugged wilderness experience, perfect for disconnecting from daily life.
• Wildlife Viewing and Shade: The campground is "nicely wooded" with young pine trees, which provides "lots of refreshing shade" and makes for excellent wildlife spotting opportunities.
• Swimming Beach: A designated swimming beach is available nearby, along with a picnic site, making it easy to enjoy the lake beyond the boat launch areas.

Contact Information

As a U.S. Forest Service site within the Superior National Forest, the Devil Track Lake Campground does not maintain a direct, dedicated booking office. Inquiries about the area and operational details are handled by the Gunflint Ranger District.

Address (General Area): Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA (Located approximately 12 miles inland from MN Highway 61)

Gunflint Ranger District Phone: (218) 387-1750

Note: This is a first-come, first-served campground, and the phone number connects to the managing Ranger District office for general information, not site reservations.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

Devil Track Lake Campground is perfectly suited for Minnesota locals who understand and appreciate the authentic "Up North" camping tradition. It appeals directly to the resident who seeks the genuine wilderness experience—one that emphasizes quiet, self-reliance, and deep connection with nature, rather than commercial amenities.

This campground provides a crucial sense of escape. Unlike the busier, often fully-reserved coastal RV parks, the first-come, first-served nature and the limited number of sites (16 total) make it a viable, last-minute option for spontaneous adventurers. Its setting within the Superior National Forest, where the sites are "so beautiful" and provide direct lake access, offers a true taste of the Boundary Waters-adjacent environment without the logistical hassle of a full portaging trip.

The combination of vast, private campsites, a quiet, fish-friendly lake, and its location "not far from Grand Marais" (a 20-minute drive) ensures that Minnesotans can easily transition from a day of rustic fishing and hiking to a night of peaceful, private stargazing, free from the distractions of electricity and cellular service. It is a genuine forest retreat, and for the local seeking solitude on the North Shore, it is one of the very best primitive options available.

Devil Track Lake Campground

Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA