Our family enjoys backcountry camping. No cell service, no electricity, no running water or sewer and no distractions. Tettegouche State Park offered all of those features when we camped at a cart-in campsite with our five-year-old and three-year-old a while back.
Located along Minnesota’s scenic North Shore, Tettegouche State Park is one of Minnesota’s largest and most beloved parks. It boasts Lake Superior shoreline, inland lakes, cascading waterfalls and Sawtooth Mountain vistas. These characteristics are just a couple of the reasons why we chose Tettegouche as the spot for one of our first camping experiences with kids.
Our adventure began by lugging our stuff to our cart-in campsite. The use of carts was a welcome bonus as our site was about three-quarters of a mile from the parking lot. It took a couple of trips but we got all our gear to the site; baby backpack carrier included.
We spent the first day setting up camp and throwing rocks into Lake Superior. The boys enjoyed making campfire supper and inspecting the bear box each time it was opened. To end our first day in the park, we did a short (1/8th of a mile) hike to Cascade Falls. Our evening concluded with s’mores ice cream cones around the campfire.
High Falls and Two Step Falls
Our second day was filled with hiking. In total, we hiked about 5 miles to High Falls and then Two Step Falls. The boys did great navigating a suspension bridge and about a dozen flights of stairs. The hike took most of our day. We made several stops to let the boys explore and throw rocks into the Baptism River.
Suspension Bridge 
Suspension Bridge to High Falls 
High Falls 
High Falls 
Two-Step Falls
Shovel Point
The next day, we made ourselves a big camping breakfast, tore down our tent and did one last hike before making our way home. The hike to Shovel Point isn’t long, but it involves several dozen steps. The views from the highest point on Lake Superior were worth it.
Our time in Tettegouche made us realize we could manage camping with small kids. It does require a few more pieces of gear, but the memories are worth it. Since Tettegouche, we’ve camped at several parks in southeastern Minnesota, Interstate State Park as well as Manitou State Park.
Happy Adventuring, Rochelle