A Family-Owned Campground Near Duluth, Minnesota
Tucked into the woods along the St. Louis River in Esko, Minnesota, Knife Island Campground offers a peaceful camping experience just 20 minutes south of Duluth. Located just off Interstate 35, our campground offers the best of both worlds — quiet Northwoods surroundings with easy access to Canal Park
Bayfront Festival Park, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), and Lake Superior and Duluth’s most popular attractions
Whether you’re visiting for a Duluth event, a fishing trip, or a relaxing weekend getaway, you’ll find a laid-back, family- and pet-friendly setting where you can slow down and reconnect with the outdoors.
Our Story: From Campers to Campground Owners
We both grew up in Northern Minnesota, where camping wasn’t a vacation — it was simply part of life. Time at the lake, evenings around a fire, and weekends outdoors shaped who we are — and how we wanted this campground to feel.
Our love for camping started with a teardrop camper we built ourselves. Later came a DIY camper van and years of exploring campgrounds across Minnesota and beyond. With every trip, we found ourselves thinking the same thing:
What if we ran a campground of our own someday?
When Greg decided it was time for a career change, we took that dream seriously. After months of searching and visiting properties, the seventh one we toured immediately felt right — familiar, full of potential, and close to home.
Knife Island Campground isn’t just a business to us. It’s the kind of place we always loved staying at ourselves — quiet, welcoming, and surrounded by nature.
A Peaceful Setting Along the St. Louis River
Our campground sits along the scenic St. Louis River, offering a calm, wooded backdrop for your stay. Guests enjoy fishing, kayaking, wildlife watching, and simply relaxing by the water.
Just offshore sits the small island that inspired our name — a quiet, natural feature that makes Knife Island Campground truly one-of-a-kind near Duluth. It’s a simple feature, but one that adds character, charm, and a true sense of place — something you won’t find at just any campground near Duluth.
Here, mornings are slower. Evenings are quieter. Nature is never far away
Camping Made Simple & Comfortable
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- Spacious RV sites
- Secluded tent sites
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- Cozy rustic cabins
As hands-on owners, we take pride in maintaining clean facilities, thoughtful site layouts, and the small conveniences that make your stay easier — from firewood availability to nearby propane filling.
Our goal is simple: to create a welcoming, laid-back campground where guests feel at home, whether you’re staying for a night, a weekend, or an extended getaway.