Savanna Portage Campground

The Great Outdoors

A highlight of RV camping at the Savanna Portage Campground is accessing the nature trails and water bodies of the Savanna Portage State Park. It was established in 1961 to preserve a historic portage trail, which was used by Native Americans for centuries before being harnessed by European explorers and fur traders to connect the watersheds of the Mississippi River and Lake Superior. The Savanna Portage is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the state park encompasses almost 16,000 acres that provide a habitat for a diversity of animals and plant life. Stretch your legs along one of the hiking trails or explore on two wheels, then cool off with a swim from one of the lake’s swimming beaches.McGregor campers are also just a short drive from the Hill River State Forest, which lies around 45 minutes’ drive to the west. It’s home to impressive forests of red maple, oak, aspen, and paper birch, as well as plenty of lakes that were formed during the Wisconsin glaciation. Aside from around ten miles of hiking trails and seven miles that are accessible to all-terrain vehicles and dirt bike riding, the forest is also a popular destination for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. If you’re visiting during the winter months, snowmobiling is possible throughout the region.Snow enthusiasts can also head east from the Savanna Portage Campground to the Fond du Lac Cross Country Ski Trail. It lies within the Fond du Lac State Forest, which encompasses a mix of coniferous boreal forests, lowland bogs, and lakes filled with wild rice. In addition to skiing, the state forest is popular with mountain bikers and those traveling with all-terrain vehicles during the warmer months.

Exploring the City

When you camp at the Savanna Portage Campground, you can fill up your RV rental at one of the gas stations in McGregor, which lies just 20 minutes’ drive to the south. There’s also a small supermarket here where you can pick up grocery supplies, as well as a couple of grill-style restaurants if you don’t feel like cooking.The Savannah Portage Campground makes a good base for visiting Duluth, which is just over an hour’s drive to the east on the banks of Lake Superior. It lies at the westernmost point of the Great Lakes and has a storied maritime past, with fine museums and family-friendly attractions. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the North Shore Scenic Drive, which offers magnificent views across Lake Superior along its 141-mile stretch. There are plenty of charming lakeside towns to stop in along the way, as well as lighthouses such as the Split Rock Lighthouse and the Two Harbors Lighthouse.Back in Duluth, spend the afternoon admiring the vintage locomotives on display at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum or get up close to both saltwater and freshwater species at the Great Lakes Aquarium where regular live feeding sessions are held. Witness the century-old Aerial Lift Bridge that raises and lowers to accommodate passing freighters and sailboats, then soak up the comings and goings along the Lake Walk. Kids can let off some steam in the Playfront Park while history buffs can get up close to a replica of Erikson's Viking ship that sailed from Norway to Boston before continuing to Duluth. Another highlight of Duluth is the 39-room Glensheen Congdon Estate that’s been watching over the city from high atop the surrounding bluffs since the early 20th century.If you’re interested in the maritime history of the region, don’t miss the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center in Canal Park. It details the role Duluth Harbor played in developing the early American steel industry, with an original 1905 Fresnel lens, recreated shop cabins, and historical maps on display. For some of the best views in Duluth, head to the Enger Tower that was built in 1939 using native bluestone and offers 360-degree panoramas.Whether you want to discover the sights of Duluth or explore the Savanna Portage, book an RV in Aitkin County and start planning your next vacation.