Bent Trout Lake Campground

The Great Outdoors

Spend a day getting active in Jay Cooke State Park, which is around 20 minutes’ drive northeast of the Bent Trout Lake Campground and protects the lower reaches of the St. Louis River. It was once a vital link that connected the Mississippi waterways with the Great Lakes, with Native Americans and early Europeans utilizing the Grand Portage of the St. Louis River when traveling by canoe. You can explore the park along the Rushing Rapids Parkway and stop to admire its rustic-style historic buildings that were constructed in the 1930s and 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. If you want to get active, there are more than 50 miles of hiking trails (including part of the North Country National Scenic Trail) that offer magnificent views overlooking the snaking waterway. Naturalist-led outreach programs are also held throughout the year, including guided nature walks, snowshoeing lessons, and evening campfire discussions.Another natural destination not to miss in the region is the Savanna Portage State Park, which sprawls across 16,000 acres to the northwest of the Bent Trout Lake Campground. It was established in 1961 to preserve a historic portage trail used by Native Americans, European explorers, and early fur traders, with the portage now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among its recreational pursuits, the Savanna Portage State Park encompasses picturesque hiking trails and cycling trails, as well as several swimming beaches on the edge of the park’s sparkling lakes. While exploring the park, keep your eyes peeled for moose, black bears, and wood turtles, as well as warblers, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles that can often be seen in the skies above.Slightly closer to the campsites at Bent Trout Lake Campground is the Fond du Lac Cross Country Ski Trail, which lies within the Fond du Lac State Forest. Its coniferous boreal forest, lowland bogs, and lake-filled landscapes make it an ideal destination for skiing, although mountain bikers and all-terrain vehicle enthusiasts will find plenty of trails to access during the warmer months.

Exploring the City

Campsites at the Bent Trout Lake Campground are just 10 minutes’ drive from Barnum, where you can pick up grocery supplies at the local store. There’s also a gas station here if you need to fill up your RV rental and a handful of cafes and diners if you don’t feel like cooking. Alternatively, you can continue driving south to Moose Lake, where you’ll find a more extensive choice of services, supermarkets, and eateries.The Bent Trout Lake Campground makes a good base for visiting Duluth, which is situated on the banks of Lake Superior, just 35 minutes’ drive to the northeast. It’s home to an excellent selection of museums and family-friendly attractions, such as the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, where you can get up close to vintage locomotives. Watch as the Aerial Lift Bridge raises and lowers to allow passing boats and ships to sail through or soak up the waterfront views along the Lake Walk. There’s a children’s playground where kids can let off some steam and a replica of Erikson’s Viking ship that sailed from Norway to Duluth. The waterfront area is also home to the Great Lakes Aquarium, where both saltwater and freshwater species are exhibited in large tanks.Duluth lies at the westernmost point of the Great Lakes, with its natural surrounds ideally explored along the 131-mile North Shore Scenic Drive. Spend a day driving the route, stopping to visit some of the lakeside towns that dot the way and the historic lighthouses that have watched over the lake’s shoreline for decades. If you’re a fan of period houses, don’t miss the Glensheen Congdon Estate, a 39-room mansion that’s been perched on the bluffs overlooking Lake Superior since the early 20th century.Whether you want to explore the cultural attractions of Duluth or learn about Minnesota’s historic portages, book an RV in Carlton County and start planning your next vacation.