Judge C R Magney Campground

The Great Outdoors

A highlight of RV camping at Judge C.R. Magney Campground is its accessibility to the walking trails and natural wonders of Judge C.R. Magney State Park. It’s particularly renowned for the Devil’s Kettle, a unique rock formation and waterfall that can be accessed along a challenging trail comprising almost 200 rustic stairs. Anglers can cast a fishing line to lure pink salmon, chinook salmon, and brook trout in the Brule River, with rainbow trout also regularly stocked by park authorities. Experienced kayakers can tackle the rapids of the Brule River, with several stretches where you need to portage.Just across the border in Canada is the La Verendrye Provincial Park, which is named after the early explorer, Pierre Gaultier de Varennes. It forms part of the international boundary, meaning its portages, lakes, and rivers are accessible to citizens of both Canada and the United States. It encompasses part of a historic fur trade route and a number of scenic mesas, not to mention numerous rare and unusual plant species that will appeal to botanical enthusiasts.Drive in the other direction, and you’ll arrive at the Cascade River State Park, which encompasses a rugged and rocky gorge along the Cascade River. The park is connected along the Superior Hiking Trail, a 310-mile walking trail that overlooks Lake Superior. Construction began in the 1980s and traverses dense forests of birch, aspen, pine, fir, and cedar, with magnificent views of the Sawtooth Mountains. If you want to explore further than a day’s walk, there are 93 backcountry campsites along the trail where you can bunk down for a night or two.

Exploring the City

Campsites at the Judge C.R. Magney Campground are a 15-minute drive from Grand Marais, where you’ll find supermarkets for stocking up on grocery supplies. There are also gas stations here if you need to fill up your RV rental and a good selection of cafes, restaurants, and breweries if you don’t feel like cooking.Interested in the local history? Stop in at the Cook County Historical Museum, which occupies a 19th-century lighthouse keeper’s residence in Grand Marais. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it houses artifacts and old photographs that illustrate the role of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the region, as well as detailing the life of Civil War Union Brigadier General William Colville.Another cultural institution not to miss while camping near Grand Marais is the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, where you can browse the works of local, regional, and national artists. In addition, it boasts a significant collection of paintings by early 20th-century artist Anna C. Johnson. If you’re a theater fan, coincide your visit with a performance at the Grand Marais Playhouse, which was founded in 1971 by a group of local residents. Grand Marais is also home to the Artist’s Point, a rugged cape on Lake Superior that’s popular with painters. Stroll past artists who set up their easels along the jagged rock formations to paint the inspiring surrounding landscapes.A 25-minute drive in the other direction from the Judge C.R. Magney Campground is Grand Portage, which lies near Minnesota’s border with Canada. It centers around the Grand Portage National Monument, a former fur trade hub used by French Canadian voyageurs. Aside from detailing this part of United States-Canadian history, the national monument also preserves the cultural heritage of the Anishinaabeg Ojibwe people. Stretch your legs along the 8.5-mile Grand Portage Footpath while taking in the waterfalls of the Pigeon River, then soak up the sweeping views across Grand Portage Bay from the top of Mount Rose.Whether you want to check out the rugged northwestern Minnesota wilderness, discover the indigenous and fur trade history of Lake Superior, or explore its lush landscapes, book an RV in Cook County and start planning your next vacation.