George H Crosby Manitou or GCM is one of the most rugged state parks in Minnesota. I struggled to find a lot of info online about this park as I was booking a site there. Seems like most visitors to the area stick the Lake Superior coast and visit nearby Tettegouche State Park.
The park itself is great. If you’re feeling lazy there is nearby Benson Lake which is supposed to be stocked with Trout. I didnt see anyone fishing while I was there. A boardwalk surrounds the lake, there are a couple of campsites with bear boxes off of this trail and they all seemed to have pretty good views of the lake.
The main draw of the park in my opinion though are the backcountry trails. These are very rugged trails. Expect the trail to be overgrown like crazy, littered with rocks and tree roots and a TON of steep and up and downs. The primary trail follows the Manitou river with many campsites right up against the banks of the river. Again the trail is rough, dont expect to breeze through it. Part of the superior hiking trail connects to this park and there is a great bridge that gives you a fantastic view of the river connecting the trails.
The following is description of the available campsites from a laminated piece of paper on the bulletin board at the park entrance. I havent seen this info anywhere else online and wish I had it when I was originally looking for sites.
CM01
2 mile backpack in. Secluded site a few hundred yards off the main trail in small clearing with birch, aspen and spruce. On the Manitou river, 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM02
1.5 mile backpack in. On rocky hill with view of river valley and Lake Superior in the distance. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM03
1.25 mile backpack in. On Manitou river, close to river trail. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM04
1.5 mile backpack in. On Mantiou river, close to river trail. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM05
1.75 mile backpack in. On Manitou river, near rapids, very secluded site. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM06
1.75 mile backpack in. Next to Misqah overlook. High and dry site. Sunny spot with white pines and view of Lake Superior. 2 tent pads, creek water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM07
1.75 mile backpack in. Close to Mantiou river and river trail. Under cedars and white pines. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM08
2 mile backpack in. Close to Manitou river and river trail. Not to secluded, under cedars, balsam, spruce and birch. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM09
2.25 mile backpack in. Close to Mantiou river and river trail. You can hear the river, rocky cliffs make access to river difficult. Under balsam, spruce, and birch. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM10
2.5 mile backpack in. Large open site in cedar grove. Private site off river trail. Can see river through the trees. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM11
2.75 mile backpack in. Up the hill away from the river, very secluded. Split level campsite with fire ring and benches on lower level with tent pads on upper level.
CM12
2.75 mile backpack in. Not far off river trail near small creek, close to Manitou river but not visible from site. Under birch and white pine. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM13
3 mile backpack in. On Manitou river. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM14
3.25 mile backpack in. Far off trail at beautiful spot on bend in Manitou river. 2 tent pads, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM15
3.5 mile backpack in. On Manitou river close to trail with not much privacy, nice site under cedar trees. 1 tent pad, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM16
4 mile backpack in. On Manitou river at wide shallow part of river. 1 tent pad, river water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM18
1 mile backpack in. Secluded and well off trail next to overgrown beaver pond. Nice creek past site. 2 tent pads, creek water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM19
.5 mile backpack in. On steep hill above Benson lake. Sunny and breezy site. Small site. 1 tent pad, lake water source, bear pole for hanging food, field latrine.
CM20
.25 mile backpack in. Clustered with sites 21 and 22 overlooking Benson lake. Lake visible through trees. 2 tent pads, lake water source, bear proof food locker, enclosed latrine shared by three sites.
CM21
.25 mile backpack in. Clustered with sites 20 and 22 overlooking Benson lake. Lake visible through trees. 2 tent pads, lake water source, bear proof food locker, enclosed latrine shared by three sites.
CM22
.25 mile backpack in. Clustered with sites 20 and 21 overlooking Benson lake. Lake visible through trees. 2 tent pads, lake water source, bear proof food locker, enclosed latrine shared by three sites.
Other Notes
- What happened to site 17? I have no idea it wasnt on the posting at the park.
- The “tent pads” are well packed bare dirt. It’ll be muddy in wet conditions. When I visited it was dry and just had some pine needles and forest duff scattered about. You could pretty easily squeeze in several tents per pad at most of the sites.
- I would avoid campsite 1 personally. It’s closer to the road than it looks and you’ll definitely hear cars at night.
- I’d also avoid campsite 16, its not worth the hike unless all the other sites are full.
- Campsites near Benson lake are GREAT for large groups that want just a small hike in. You’ll have to take the boardwalk to the other trail heads but its a great peaceful place to camp.
- There is a small grocery store co-op in Finland that also sells a limited supply of camping gear like bug spray, stove fuel, etc if you’re in need.