Backpack Campground

Star4.44
9 reviews
Backpack Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Minnesota State Parks) site

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Backpack Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Minnesota State Parks
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What Campers Say

4.44

Recommended

Based on 9 reviews

18 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsprivacyquietclean

Some mention

noise

"Sources praise the backpack sites for exceptional privacy and very short approach hikes; reviewers also note the park’s modern, very clean facilities at the Vermilion Ridge campground and the attraction of the Soudan Underground Mine tours. Complaints are minimal in available materials."

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Best Time to Camp at Backpack Campground

Summer through early fall offers ideal backpacking conditions, with warm days perfect for exploring trails and cool evenings made for stargazing. While the park welcomes visitors year-round and transforms into a winter wonderland with deep snow, backpack camping during the colder months becomes more challenging and access may be limited. Plan your visit between late spring and October for the most comfortable and accessible experience.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Backpack Campground

    Escape into your own slice of Minnesota's North Woods at one of five secluded backpack sites, each tucked into the forest less than a mile from the trailhead. Here, exceptional privacy meets convenience—you're close enough for an easy hike in, yet far enough to feel truly immersed in wilderness, with Lake Vermilion's pristine waters and the historic Soudan Underground Mine both within reach.
    Five designated backpacking sites offering a primitive, backcountry experience with strong privacy and short access hikes from parking.
    Historical SignificanceThe park preserves the historic Soudan Underground Mine (Minnesota's oldest and deepest iron ore mine) and the surrounding North Woods and Lake Vermilion landscape, combining natural and industrial heritage.
    Weather and SeasonsSummer through early fall offers ideal backpacking conditions, with warm days perfect for exploring trails and cool evenings made for stargazing. While the park welcomes visitors year-round and transforms into a winter wonderland with deep snow, backpack camping during the colder months becomes more challenging and access may be limited. Plan your visit between late spring and October for the most comfortable and accessible experience.
    Natural Features and SceneryThe backpack sites sit in a **Northwoods setting** of mixed conifers and hardwoods near the rocky, island‑studded shores of **Lake Vermilion**, one of northern Minnesota’s largest and most scenic lakes.[3][4] Trails to the sites pass through rolling forest with moss, ferns, and granite outcrops typical of the Canadian Shield region.[4] Campers describe the park in general as quiet, wooded, and feeling more remote than its distance from town would suggest, with dark skies and good opportunities for star‑gazing away from the main campground lights.[3][4]
    Geological RegionArrowhead region — classic North Woods with mixed conifer–hardwood forest, rocky ground and granite outcrops near Lake Vermilion
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsites5 campsites

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite

    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are allowed


    Amenities available

    Fire rings
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Backpack camping with short approach hikes to five designated sites within Lake Vermilion–Soudan Underground Mine State Park; park offers broader activities including hiking, boating, fishing, mine tours, and wildlife viewing.
    Hiking
    Five designated backpack sites reached by short approaches (all under about a mile); connected to the park’s trail network.
    Fishing
    Fishing on Lake Vermilion is available via park boat launches and shoreline access.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsTypical North Woods hazards including variable weather, winter snow/ice conditions, rocky and uneven terrain, and wildlife (visitors are advised not to feed animals).

    Weather at Backpack Campground

    26
    °F
    Dec 26
    Friday
    Overcast
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 81%
    Wind: 10 mph
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    Good to know

    Common complaintsCampground reviews for the broader park are largely positive, with few strong complaints.[1][2][3] One TripAdvisor reviewer notes the lack of a **playground** near the camp area and absence of a larger interpretive center or gift shop beyond the mine complex.[1] For the backpack sites specifically, no direct negative comments (crowding, noise, poor maintenance, etc.) were found in the sources reviewed, which likely reflects limited online discussion rather than guaranteed perfection.

    Campground Map

    Backpack Campground
    Nearby places
    Bear Head Lake State Park (~14 miles)
    Ely and Tower (distances not specified)

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.4
    9 reviews
    Recommended
    Recommended
    Backpack Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Sources praise the backpack sites for exceptional privacy and very short approach hikes; reviewers also note the park’s modern, very clean facilities at the Vermilion Ridge campground and the attraction of the Soudan Underground Mine tours. Complaints are minimal in available materials.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 9 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Articles and reviews emphasize that Lake Vermilion–Soudan’s backpack campsites offer an **easy, low‑commitment backpacking experience** because they are under a mile from the trailhead yet feel...
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    Based on 9 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Backpacking guidance for this park and similar Minnesota state‑park backpack sites emphasizes that these are **short approaches (under 1 mile)**, so you can be selective about gear and even return to...
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    Based on 9 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Exceptional privacy"; "short approach hikes (all under about a mile)"
    Based on 9 reviews

    Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

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    Last updated December 15, 2025
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