Duluth & I-35

From Duluth south along I-35: the St. Louis River gorge at Jay Cooke and the Kettle and St. Croix rivers around Hinckley and Sandstone.

Photo: WilliamJGage, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Planning guides

Banning State Park

Banning State Park is mostly closed for construction until October 2027. What is still open, where to camp nearby, and the Kettle River trails and rapids.

Jay Cooke State Park

Jay Cooke State Park planning guide: the Swinging Bridge, 50 miles of trails, 79 drive-in sites and 5 year-round camper cabins, permit costs and winter skiing.

Moose Lake State Park

Moose Lake State Park planning guide: 33 drive-in campsites off I-35, Echo Lake fishing and paddling, the Agate and Geological Center, fees and seasons.

Savanna Portage State Park

Savanna Portage State Park guide: the historic portage trail and Continental Divide, 61 drive-in sites, a camper cabin, four lakes, winter trails and fees.

St. Croix State Park

St. Croix State Park guide: 211 drive-in sites plus CCC cabins, 127 miles of trails, the fire tower and two rivers, fall hunt closures, fees and directions.

State parks in this region

5 state parks. Compare all 64 in the park finder.

Park	Nearest town	Camping	Details
Banning	Sandstone	33 drive-in, 11 electric, 5 canoe-in; camper cabins	Our guide DNR page
Jay Cooke	Carlton	79 drive-in, 21 electric, 50 walk-in, 4 backpack; camper cabins	Our guide DNR page
Moose Lake	Moose Lake	33 drive-in, 20 electric, 2 walk-in	Our guide DNR page
Savanna Portage	McGregor	61 drive-in, 18 electric, 6 backpack, 1 canoe-in; camper cabins	Our guide DNR page
St. Croix	Hinckley	drive-in, electric, walk-in, backpack, canoe-in	Our guide DNR page

Source: Minnesota DNR park data, retrieved November 11, 2026. Check the DNR page before you go.