Is Backpack Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Backpack Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Backpack Campground?

Backpack Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Backpack Campground have?

Backpack Campground has 5 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Backpack Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Backpack Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Backpack Campground?

Backpack Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Backpack Campground?

Popular activities at Backpack Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Backpack Campground

4.44

9 reviews

Backpack Campground

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Minnesota

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,496 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota DNR Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,496 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Book on Minnesota DNR Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Backpack Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Minnesota State Parks

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Campground Map

Backpack Campground

47.8172, -92.2124

Nearby places

Bear Head Lake State Park (~14 miles)

Ely and Tower (distances not specified)

Weather at Backpack Campground

Best Time to Camp at Backpack Campground

Late spring through early fall offers the easiest conditions, with summer bringing daytime highs around 70–80°F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Long daylight and dry trails make June through August ideal for exploring the backpack loop and paddling the lake, though mosquitoes and black flies can be heavy in midsummer. Late August into fall brings fewer bugs and fall color. One winter review praises the park's snowy beauty and access to packed trails, but cold-weather backpacking here is more challenging and the short approach loses some appeal when you can't easily retreat to the car.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

June–August offers long daylight, dry trails and comfortable temps (~70–80°F).

Planning Tips

About Backpack Campground

Lake Vermilion–Soudan Underground Mine State Park's five backpack sites sit less than a mile from the trailhead in mixed Northwoods forest near Lake Vermilion's rocky, island-studded shore. The short carry-in makes them a low-commitment introduction to backpacking while still delivering the privacy and quiet of backcountry camping. Campers often pair a night or two here with a tour of the historic Soudan Underground Mine or a stay at the park's modern drive-in campground.

Five designated backpacking sites offering a primitive, backcountry experience with strong privacy and short access hikes from parking.

Historical Significance

The park preserves Minnesota's oldest and deepest iron ore mine, the Soudan Underground Mine, which operated for nearly a century and now offers tours deep into the workings. The surrounding forest and Lake Vermilion landscape combine the region's industrial and natural heritage.

Weather and SeasonsLate spring through early fall offers the easiest conditions, with summer bringing daytime highs around 70–80°F and cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Long daylight and dry trails make June through August ideal for exploring the backpack loop and paddling the lake, though mosquitoes and black flies can be heavy in midsummer. Late August into fall brings fewer bugs and fall color. One winter review praises the park's snowy beauty and access to packed trails, but cold-weather backpacking here is more challenging and the short approach loses some appeal when you can't easily retreat to the car.

Natural Features and SceneryThe sites occupy rolling terrain of mixed conifers and hardwoods typical of the Canadian Shield, with moss, ferns, and granite outcrops underfoot. Trails pass close enough to Lake Vermilion that you can carry water in from the shore. The lake itself is one of northern Minnesota's largest, framed by forested ridges and scattered islands. Away from the main campground, the forest feels quieter and darker; reviewers mention good stargazing and sunset views over the water from shoreline areas. One TripAdvisor visitor encountered a bold red fox that appeared habituated to campers, a reminder not to feed wildlife.

Geological RegionArrowhead region — classic North Woods with mixed conifer–hardwood forest, rocky ground and granite outcrops near Lake Vermilion

Scenic ViewsPark as a whole offers scenic views over Lake Vermilion, especially at sunset; backpack sites are described as private and forest‑enclosed, so individual lake overlooks are not guaranteed for each site.

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Amenities available

The backpack sites are described as offering exceptional privacy and a backcountry feel; park’s Vermilion Ridge developed campground has modern amenities, but the backpack sites are primitive and accessed by short hikes.

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

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.4

9 reviews

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...

Based on 9 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Tent campers ready to try their first overnight carry-in without a brutal haul. The sub-mile approach means forgetting the rain fly isn't a crisis, and late August hits the sweet spot between bug season and the first hard frost.

Skip if

No potable water at the sites and no bear lockers means you're filtering lake water and rigging your own hang, plus no pets are allowed, so the dog stays home. Anyone who needs power, showers, or cell service should book Vermilion Ridge's drive-in sites instead.

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Camper Cabins Campground

Summer mine entrance: 1302 McKinley Park Road; Winter mine entrance: 1379 Stuntz Bay Road; Lake Vermilion Unit Entrance: U.S. Highway 169. Mailing address: P.O. Box 335, 1379 Stuntz Bay Road, Soudan, MN 55782

Eight year-round camper cabins sit in Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park at 1,578 feet elevation, combining modern comfort with access to old-growth pine forest and Lake Vermilion's island-studded shoreline. The historic Soudan Underground Mine tours are closed until 2026, but the park's trails, fishing, and boating remain open. You'll need a vehicle permit (except at the main visitor center lot) and a daily campfire permit to use the firewood bunker.