Originally Posted by
Gonzo Bob
Thanks so much for the info! I have already done some preliminary searches for camping along my intended route (essentially US Bicycle Route 41), but Grand Marais did not return anything. It may turn out to be an emergency overnight, but it is good to know that it is there.
I have been going up to the BWCA almost every year since the 1980s. Section hiked part of the SHT for five trips. And after I had made reservations to stay at a higher cost for tent sites at Grand Marais, I was really surprised to learn of those hiker biker sites, as not many people are aware of them. So, even though you are from Minnesota, I assumed you were not aware of them.
You have to pay the full tent site price at the Burlington Campground in Two Harbors. They have one overflow campsite next to the HQ building that I have camped in a couple times when I did not make a reservation, I think it was called Site B.
There is a campground in Grand Portage, I stayed there one night a year and a half ago, I think I had to go to the Casino to pay for the site. I think it was $25, but my memory could be wrong on that.
There are a few places on Highway 61 that do not have much shoulder and do not have a good alternative route. When I rode those narrow shoulder sections, I still felt reasonably safe. I have not bike toured on the North Shore, but I have biked about 60 miles of it. There are a lot of places where there is paved bike trail or older less used highway that parallels it.
Have a great trip.