Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Minnesota / Arrowhead

Crosby-Manitou State Park Backpack Sites

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park (near Finland)

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, inland from Lake Superior near Finland, is set up for backpackers. The Minnesota DNR’s map refers to “one of the park’s 21 remote backpacking campsites.” The trails drop into the Manitou River’s valley, which the DNR describes as rimmed with old-growth trees.

North Shore Visitor says the sites are 0.5 to 4.5 miles from the parking area, several along the Manitou River and four near Benson Lake.

The hike

The DNR’s virtual tour describes “The rustic Manitou River Trail” running through thick forest along the river’s west bank. Hiking Project lists it at 4.8 miles point to point, rated intermediate to difficult, with a maximum grade of 32 percent, passing about 13 backpack sites and The Cascades. North Shore Visitor puts the park’s trails at about 24 miles total.

Other named trails on the DNR’s 2024 map include the Cascades trail (1 mile one way), the Humpback Trail (1.6 miles one way, the park’s Hiking Club trail), the Misquah Trail to an overlook (1 mile), and a 1-mile loop around Benson Lake, which the DNR says offers paddlers “a Boundary Waters-like environment.” The virtual tour calls the Humpback Trail “rugged” and describes the river above the falls as “clear and scenic.”

A 2008 trip report on the Backpacking Light forum describes the walk in: a gentle descent along a ridge, then a tougher drop into the river valley, a “rocky and rooted” trail beside the rapids, and a challenging climb out. The group took about three hours to reach site 11, where the spur up a steep bluff faded halfway and needed scouting.

The Superior Hiking Trail passes through the park, linking north to the Caribou River and south to Sonju Lake and Finland; see Section 13 and Sonju Lake. In October 2025, a lightning-caused fire burned about 300 acres inside the park, according to Fox 9. The park stayed open, and the SHT through the park was scheduled to reopen within a week.

Tips

Camping

The park’s 21 backpack sites must be reserved, and camping is allowed only in designated sites (DNR map). North Shore Visitor says there are vault toilets at the trailhead and field latrines near the campsites. Firewood must be bought at the park or from approved vendors; collecting firewood is allowed only in backpack camping areas (DNR). A vehicle permit is required to park. The 2008 forum report describes first-come registration at a kiosk, which reflects an older system; reserve under current rules.

Inside Intel: In a 2011 Perfect Duluth Day thread, three readers named site #5 their favorite. Another reader liked #8 for “a nice swimming hole, deep enough for real swimming, just downstream from the site,” but warned it is “right on the trail,” so hikers pass through.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Climbing out of the Manitou River valley:

Hiking Project lists a 32 percent maximum grade on the Manitou River Trail, and one report describes a rocky, rooted path beside the rapids and a challenging climb out. A few pole habits make that climb easier.

See the pole tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.