Knife River Campground Introduce
For Minnesotans, the allure of the North Shore and the majestic presence of Lake Superior are undeniable. When planning a camping trip that offers both natural beauty and convenient access to vibrant communities, Knife River Campground stands out as an excellent choice. Nestled right along the iconic Scenic Drive, this family-oriented campground provides a unique opportunity to experience the best of Minnesota's outdoor adventures, from serene beach bonfires to exciting explorations in nearby cities.
Knife River Campground, formerly known as the "Depot Campground," has established itself as a beloved destination for families and travelers alike. Its prime location offers immediate access to the beautiful Knife River beach on Lake Superior, a true hidden gem for agate hunting, sunrises, and memorable bonfires. While the immediate town of Knife River offers a quiet charm, the campground's proximity to larger cities like Duluth and Two Harbors ensures that there's never a shortage of activities to fill your days. With a focus on providing a great family experience, helpful owners, and clean facilities, Knife River Campground aims to create lasting memories for all who visit our beautiful state.
Knife River Campground is strategically located at 196 Scenic Dr, Knife River, MN 55609, USA. This address places it directly on Minnesota's famous North Shore Scenic Drive (Old Highway 61), offering breathtaking views and easy access to some of the state's most iconic natural attractions. The campground is approximately 14 miles northeast of Duluth and 7 miles southwest of Two Harbors, positioning it perfectly between two significant hubs for dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Despite its proximity to a busy road, which some reviews mention can be loud, the campground offers immediate walking access to the stunning Knife River beach on Lake Superior. This direct beach access is a significant highlight, allowing campers to easily enjoy bonfires, agate hunting, and the serene beauty of the lake. Furthermore, the campground is conveniently located across the road from a branch of the Superior Hiking Trail and borders the Knife River itself, as well as a local marina. This makes it an ideal base for river and lake fishing. For those arriving by car or RV, access is straightforward via the Scenic Highway or by taking the Knife River Exit from Highway 61 (Expressway) and following signs. Its central location along the North Shore makes it an excellent jumping-off point for exploring state parks, forests, and other regional attractions, all within a comfortable driving distance.
Knife River Campground is committed to providing a comfortable and convenient camping experience, offering a range of services that cater to both RV and tent campers.
RV/Tent Sites with Full Hook-ups:
The campground features 30 RV/tent sites, including pull-through options, equipped with 30 and 50 amp electric service, water, and sewer connections. This ensures all the essential utilities are available for a comfortable stay.
Clean Restroom Facilities and Shower Building:
Visitors consistently praise the super clean and well-stocked bathrooms and shower facilities, providing a welcome comfort in an outdoor setting.
Dump Station:
For the convenience of RVers, a dumping station is available on-site for proper waste disposal.
Wi-Fi Access:
Complimentary Wi-Fi is provided, allowing guests to stay connected during their stay.
Picnic Tables and Campfire Rings:
Most sites come equipped with a picnic table and a campfire ring, perfect for outdoor dining and evening campfires.
Firewood Sales On-site:
For added convenience, firewood can be purchased directly at the campground, ensuring you have everything you need for a cozy bonfire.
Ice Sales On-site:
Ice is available for purchase at the campground, making it easy to keep your coolers stocked.
Pet-Friendly:
The campground is pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their furry companions along for the adventure.
Knife River Campground offers a number of unique features and highlights that contribute to its appeal as a premier camping destination on the North Shore.
Direct Beach Access to Lake Superior:
A significant highlight is the easy walk to the Knife River beach on Lake Superior. This natural collection of small, colorful stones and agates makes it a prime spot for agate hunting, sunbathing, picnics, and memorable bonfires right on the shoreline.
Family-Oriented Campground:
Reviews consistently describe it as a "great family oriented campground," emphasizing its welcoming atmosphere for families looking to create lasting memories together.
Helpful and Nice Owners/Staff:
The owners and staff receive high praise for being very helpful, nice, and accommodating, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience.
Proximity to Duluth and Two Harbors:
While Knife River itself is quiet, the campground's close proximity to the larger cities of Duluth and Two Harbors (within easy driving distance) means campers have access to a wide array of activities, restaurants, shops, galleries, and attractions.
Access to Superior Hiking Trail:
The campground is conveniently located across the road from a branch of the renowned Superior Hiking Trail, offering fantastic opportunities for hiking and exploring the scenic North Shore wilderness.
Borders Knife River and Local Marina:
Its location bordering the Knife River and a local marina makes it an ideal spot for river and lake fishing, as well as providing easy access for those with boats.
Affordable Option:
Guests have noted that the campground is an affordable choice for camping on the North Shore, offering good value for its amenities and location.
Scenic Railroad Nearby:
The North Shore Scenic Railroad is located across the street, offering a unique and relaxed way to experience the area's beauty, with "Picnic" trains to Knife River during the summer.
Ready to plan your family's next adventure or a peaceful retreat to Knife River Campground? Here's how you can get in touch:
Address: 196 Scenic Dr, Knife River, MN 55609, USA
Phone: (218) 834-5044
Mobile Phone: +1 218-834-5044
Website: www.kniferivercampground.com (This is the official website where you can find more details, rates, and rules.)
For Minnesotans, Knife River Campground offers an exceptional and highly suitable option for experiencing the unparalleled beauty of the North Shore. Its location directly on Scenic Drive, with immediate beach access to Lake Superior, is a dream come true for anyone looking to embrace our state's iconic coastline. We value places where families can truly connect with nature and create cherished memories, and this campground excels at providing just that.
As locals, we appreciate the convenience of having clean and well-stocked restrooms and showers, full hook-up sites for RVs, and the option to easily purchase firewood and ice on-site. The "great family oriented campground" atmosphere, coupled with the helpfulness of the owners, ensures a welcoming and comfortable stay for all. While the town of Knife River itself offers a quiet charm, the short drive to Duluth and Two Harbors means that a wide array of urban amenities, dining, and diverse activities are always within easy reach, offering the perfect balance of serene natural escape and engaging local exploration.
Whether you're looking to spend your days hiking a branch of the Superior Hiking Trail, trying your hand at fishing in Knife River, hunting for agates on the beach, or simply enjoying a peaceful bonfire by Lake Superior, this campground provides the ideal base. Its affordability, coupled with the abundance of natural beauty and nearby attractions, makes Knife River Campground a prime choice for any Minnesotan seeking an unforgettable camping experience on the legendary North Shore.
Knife River Campground Photos










Knife River Campground Location
Knife River Campground
196 Scenic Dr, Knife River, MN 55609, USA
Knife River Campground Reviews
We had a great time with the family and the neighbors. The beach access to Lake Superior was great. They allow fires on the beach, which we had a great Time doing. The owners were very helpful and nice. When we stayed we went hiking at state parks and forests in the area, but there is plenty of other activities in Duluth and two harbors to participate in. Our family loved the campground and made many everlasting memories there. Our only concern was there wasn't much to do in knife river, but it wasn't a huge deal because of the large cities nearby. Great family oriented campground.
Jul 16, 2015 · Mandi HansmeyerWe liked the actual campground. The staff was great and helpful when we needed them. Ice on site. We aren't big on super primitive camping so we didn't mind that there wasn't a ton of privacy between each camp site. However, it is right on a busy road and it gets pretty loud. The lake is close and there's a nice little beach to hang out on. The bathrooms are super clean and we'll stocked. Overall, we would stay here again. The factors that we didn't like are things that can't be controlled. It was affordable and we had a good time!
Jul 20, 2016 · Lauren AndersonMy family loves visiting this campground. Great facilities and owners. We usually come here for tent camping which has a little more privacy on those designated sites. We love the close proximity to the lake, great rates, clean bath house, and great owners!
May 11, 2017 · Katie NelsonSmall friendly campground, right on Scenic 61. Walking distance to marina and shore - we could hear the waves crashing all night. Also right next to railroad tracks (but we only heard the trains during the daytime). Randy (the proprietor) is very friendly and welcoming, and caters especially to tenters and smaller camper vans. Clean facilities, and family friendly.
Oct 05, 2015 · Wolf LoescherIt's true, the facilities are clean, Randy is a nice guy. That's about it. This is a parking lot with picnic tables and fire pits. It is clear that the sites have been crammed in to maximize profit. Our 'frontage' was about 20 feet, washroom to the right and the next site to the left.We arrived at 8pm and left as early as we could. We weren't interested in staring at campers, trucks, and listening to other people's conversations. This is not a campground for people interested in seclusion or being surrounded by nature.
Aug 04, 2014 · Heather Denis
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