Jay Cooke Campground

The Great Outdoors

A highlight of camping at the Jay Cooke Campground is its accessibility to the trails and sights of Jay Cooke State Park. It’s renowned for its famous swinging bridge near the historic River Inn, as well as a cluster of Rustic-style Civilian Conservation Corps buildings at Oldenburg Point that date from the 1930s and 1940s. Soak up the views across the St. Louis River valley and visit the 19th-century Thomas Pioneer Cemetery, then stretch your legs on the more than 50 miles of hiking trails that wind through the park. Naturalist-led outreach programs are also held throughout the year at the Jay Cooke State Park, and range from guided nature walks in the summer to snowshoeing lessons in the winter and evening campfire discussions.A campsite at Jay Cooke Campground is also a good base for visiting the Savanna Portage State Park, which sprawls across 16,000 acres around an hour’s drive to the west. It preserves a historic portage trail that was once used by Native Americans, as well as early European explorers and fur traders. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and attracts visitors from near and far to its picturesque hiking trails and cycling trails. There are several swimming beaches where you can cool off in the park’s refreshing lakes while keeping your eyes peeled for moose, trumpeter swans, and bald eagles.Just to the northeast of the Jay Cooke State Park lies the Magney-Snively Natural Area, which is named after two former Duluth mayors - Clarence Magney and Samuel F. Snively. It’s a particularly popular skiing destination, with 15 miles of groomed trails that wind through the area’s rugged terrain and old-growth forests. If you’re visiting during the summer, you can explore along the Superior Hiking Trail, which offers magnificent views of Ely’s Peak and Bardon’s Peak.

Exploring the City

Campsites at the Jay Cooke Campground are just five minutes’ drive from Carlton, 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 couple of eateries if you don’t feel like cooking. Alternatively, you can make the 25-minute drive north to Duluth, where you’ll find a more extensive choice of supermarkets, services, and restaurants for dining out.While you’re in Duluth, take time to explore some of its excellent museums, which include the Lake Superior Railroad Museum that’s housed in a former train depot. Browse its vintage locomotives and railway artifacts, then get up close to a variety of saltwater and freshwater species at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Duluth is renowned for its Aerial Lift Bridge that raises and lowers to allow passing ships to sail through and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can stretch your legs along the Lake Walk to see a replica of Erikson’s Viking ship that sailed from Norway to Duluth, then let off some steam in the children’s playground.Another family-friendly attraction near Duluth is the Lake Superior Zoo, which was founded in 1923 by Bert Onsgard. It’s now home to more than 400 animals from 140 different species that include African lions, llamas, and kangaroos. See animals from the dense forests and mountains of Asia in the Asian Caravan exhibit or witness the biggest rabbit you’ve ever seen on Prairie Dog Row, then say “hello” to the friendly farm animals in the Barnyard. The Lake Superior Zoo is also home to a Primate Conservation Center that’s home to ring-tailed lemurs, colobus monkeys, and cotton-top tamarins.Whether you want to explore the cultural attractions of Duluth or hit the cross-country ski trails of northeast Minnesota, book an RV in Carlton County and start planning your next vacation.