Woods Creek Camp, Grand Marais, MN

**Introduction / Overview**

For Minnesotans drawn to the rugged beauty of the North Shore, the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is more than just a path—it is a cornerstone of the state's outdoor identity. Woods Creek Campsite, officially located on the Superior Hiking Trail near Grand Marais, MN, is a quintessential SHT backcountry experience. This site is not a car-camping destination but a designated, primitive backpacking campsite maintained by the Superior Hiking Trail Association. It serves as an essential overnight stop for hikers undertaking multi-day treks or extended day hikes in the spectacular section of the trail near the Devil Track River gorge and Pincushion Mountain.

The experience at Woods Creek is defined by its deep immersion in the Northwoods forest. As a first-come, first-served site, it embodies the shared spirit of the backpacking community. It is a place where you unroll your sleeping bag to the sound of rushing water—"a nice location along the creek"—and where the focus is entirely on the simplicity of the trail. While it offers essential amenities to practice Leave No Trace, it requires self-sufficiency in all other aspects, including water treatment and food storage. It is one of the roughly 94 primitive campsites strategically placed along the 310+ miles of the SHT, providing a critical, official stopping point that keeps hikers off private land and protects the fragile ecosystem of the North Shore.

**Location and Accessibility**

Woods Creek Campsite is geographically located near Grand Marais, MN 55604, and is specifically situated along the main route of the Superior Hiking Trail. Unlike drive-in campgrounds, accessibility to Woods Creek is exclusively by foot.

The site is found roughly 6.5 miles south (or northbound) of the popular Pincushion Mountain overlook and a short distance from the Lindskog Road Trailhead. This proximity to the Lindskog Trailhead is a key logistical advantage for Minnesota day hikers or those planning shorter overnights, as one reviewer noted it is "not far from the Lindskog trail head." Hikers typically park at a designated trailhead parking lot—such as Lindskog Road (Cook County Road 58) or Pincushion Mountain—and hike in. It is important to note that the SHT traverses steep, rocky, and root-filled terrain, especially through gorges like the nearby Devil Track River canyon. Accessing Woods Creek, therefore, involves navigating the physical challenges of the trail itself, which may include steep ascents and descents along the Sawtooth Mountain range. All SHT campsites are deliberately kept away from roads, reinforcing the authentic backcountry feel. Before setting out, local hikers should always check the Superior Hiking Trail Association for any current trail alerts, such as bridge outages or detours, which are common in this rugged region.

**Services Offered**

As a designated backcountry stop, Woods Creek Campsite provides simple, necessary facilities intended to concentrate impact and adhere to Leave No Trace principles, but it is fundamentally primitive.

Tent Pads: The site features several cleared and leveled areas for tent setup, typically accommodating around 4 tents comfortably, though hikers often manage to fit more with "careful placement" when sharing the space.
Water Access: Excellent water access is provided directly from the adjacent Woods Creek, a reliable water source that runs next to the camp, even during drier times of the year. **Note:** All water from the creek must be filtered or treated before consumption.
Latrine: A wilderness latrine (usually a pit toilet or outhouse without the full structure) is provided at or near the trail junction leading to the campground, ensuring proper human waste disposal away from the main camping area and water source.
Fire Ring: A centralized, shared metal fire ring or rock-lined fire pit is established at the site, which must be used for all campfires. Benches are sometimes provided around the fire ring.

**Features / Highlights**

Woods Creek Campsite is celebrated among the hiking community for a few distinct features that enhance the North Shore backpacking experience.

Creekside Setting: The highlight of the camp is its location right along Woods Creek, which provides a calming soundtrack for sleeping and an immediate, convenient source for water (after filtering). This feature also helps to moderate the occasional overcrowding that can occur on a shared SHT site.
Accessibility to Trailheads: Its position between the Lindskog Road and Pincushion Mountain trailheads makes it a flexible and highly practical stopping point for both northbound and southbound through-hikers and those on shorter two-day trips.
Shared Trail Community: As SHT campsites are first-come, first-served and must be shared, the site fosters a unique sense of community. Fellow Minnesotans often meet, share stories, and assist each other, fitting their tents in tight quarters to make room for all.
Proximity to North Shore Views: The sections of the SHT surrounding Woods Creek Campsite are renowned for frequent, panoramic vistas of Lake Superior, the Devil Track River gorge, and the rugged, forested Sawtooth Mountains, making the trek to and from the site highly rewarding.
Focus on Simplicity: The lack of a fee or need for a reservation simplifies the planning process for spontaneous or long-distance hikers, keeping the focus entirely on the trail and the pristine environment.

**Contact Information**

Woods Creek Campsite is maintained by the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA). Since it is a rustic, hike-in site, there is no direct address or phone number for the campsite itself. All logistical and trail condition inquiries should be directed to the SHTA, which provides detailed trail maps and guidebooks.

Address: Superior Hiking Trail, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA (This indicates the general area on the trail.)

Phone: N/A (Contact is through the Superior Hiking Trail Association's main office or website for general trail/campsite information.)

The nearest major town for resources, outfitting, or emergency contact (if cell service can be found on a nearby ridge) is Grand Marais, located a few trail miles away. Hikers must carry the SHT Databook or maps for precise location details.

**Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals**

Woods Creek Campsite is perfectly suited for Minnesotans because it taps into the local backpacking tradition and reverence for the North Shore wilderness. It offers an affordable, accessible, and authentic primitive camping experience right on the beloved Superior Hiking Trail. This is the real Minnesota "roughing it"—where the ground might be a little rooty and you might have to squeeze your tent in—but the reward is waking up next to a flowing creek in one of the state's most scenic regions. The challenge of a hike-in camp, the necessity of sharing space, and the commitment to Leave No Trace ethics are all part of the unwritten contract of the local Northwoods adventurer. For those living in the state, this site is not just a place to sleep; it is a gateway to the spectacular, cliff-side trails and deep river canyons that define the ultimate Minnesota backpacking trip, offering a pure, uncommercialized connection to the land that is deeply valued by local residents.