Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Superior/Two Island Lake
Overview
Two Island Lake Campground offers a secluded escape within the Superior National Forest, just a short drive from the bustling harbor town of Grand Marais. This rustic destination provides a true Northwoods experience, where the haunting calls of loons replace traffic and the night skies are brilliantly clear. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the park serves as an ideal base for those wanting to disconnect and immerse themselves in the quiet beauty of Northeastern Minnesota.
Location & Surroundings
Situated about 15 miles northwest of Grand Marais, the park sits along the shores of the 1,000-acre Two Island Lake. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense stands of cedar, balsam, and spruce, providing excellent privacy between campsites. Travelers access the area via the iconic Gunflint Trail, a National Scenic Byway known for its deep wilderness and frequent wildlife sightings, including the occasional moose or bald eagle soaring above the forest canopy.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional forest service site, the focus here is on natural beauty rather than modern luxuries. The park features well-maintained sites designed to accommodate those seeking a primitive camping experience. Key features include:
- Spacious wooded sites equipped with heavy-duty fire rings and picnic tables.
- Access to vault toilets and a solar-powered water pump for potable water.
- A sturdy concrete boat ramp for easy watercraft launching.
While there are no electric or sewer hookups, many sites offer a short walk to the pristine shoreline, making it easy to enjoy the serene water views.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Fishing is a premier activity here, as the lake is renowned for walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Paddlers can navigate between the islands or venture onto the nearby Eagle Mountain Trail, which leads hikers to the highest point in Minnesota for breathtaking wilderness views. For a change of pace, the artistic community of Grand Marais offers local breweries and smoked fish markets along the jagged rocks of Lake Superior, just a 20-minute drive away.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is best suited for self-contained RVers and outdoor enthusiasts who prefer a quiet, primitive setting over a commercial resort. It is an ideal destination for anglers and backcountry explorers who want easy access to the Boundary Waters region without the heavy crowds. If you appreciate a back-to-basics style of camping where the primary entertainment is a crackling fire and a starry sky, this Superior National Forest gem is a perfect fit.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Lori-Anne Johnson-Nagy
All of the State Parks were full, so I dug this one up on an Internet search from a reddit post. Did not disappoint!!!!! We got there early afternoon and nabbed one of the best spots there. Site #23. The sites are pretty spread out which is nice and we had a great view of the lake outside of our tent. The bathrooms were clean and there is water available. Buy your firewood before heading up. There won't be any within 3 miles of the campsite. I also found a trail that is 8.2 miles round trip that goes to Devils Track lake near the 30's sites.
K HP
Primitive campsites on a beautiful fishing lake. Just a few lakeside sites. Plenty of open campsites when we looked Sunday afternoon mid August. Private but closer sites than at the Devil Track Lake campground. No cell out here. $22/ night as I write in 2025.
Becca
Beautiful campground with unique sites. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and there were only 3 sites claimed so we had our choice of many lake-side sites. Highly recommend site 34 on the lake if you can get it, it was spacious and had private lake access to watch the loons and sunsets!
Andy
Pretty nice for rustic camping. No water or power hook ups, so bring a generator if need be. Get there early so you can get one of the good spots, there are three loops and each loop has about 2-4 good, big sites close/next to the water. Boat launch and dock good for smaller boats. There are a few vault toilets and drinking water spigots scattered around each loop. The lake is pretty nice, although a little weird. Random spots of shallow water all over, but an overall nice clean lake. Lots of fish once you find them. We went there with two families of nine each and we all had a good time, the best part is no service so you’re forced to disconnect while you are there. Also, the pay method is a little goofy, right when you pull in there is a spot with envelopes that you write you info on. Still not sure if you are supposed to put them somewhere near the entrance, or bring them with you. Some campers had theirs attached to the site number sign but seems a little sketchy with people running around. Would definitely stay again!
Michael “Wolfy” Howes
This campground is about 25-30 minutes from Grand Marais in the Superior National Forest. We pulled in late in the evening and found a site on a Friday night - it was quite packed. There are 3 different campgrounds and there are a good amount of sites. Our site was very spacious and not too close to others for a campground. Very well kept, clean spaces, a place for garbage, very clean restrooms (vault toilets). Each spot has a nice fire ring and a picnic table with 2 tent spaces and parking. The lake is very nice and a great place for an evening stroll. The road coming in is mostly unpaved but I think any car could easily get in and out as it is graded. Highly recommend camping here if you want to avoid the loud/busy state parks and be out a tad.