George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is one of Minnesota’s best-kept secrets — a rugged, 6,200-acre wilderness tucked into Lake County along the North Shore. Unlike the more developed state parks nearby, Crosby Manitou was designed specifically for backpack camping, making it the only Minnesota state park dedicated to this backcountry experience. There are no drive-in campsites here. Instead, 21 walk-in sites are scattered along the Manitou River valley, some requiring hikes of over a mile through dense boreal forest.

The park’s centerpiece is the Manitou River, which cascades through a steep volcanic rock gorge in a series of dramatic waterfalls. The 24-mile trail system ranges from moderate loops to challenging ridgeline paths with significant elevation changes — a rarity in Minnesota. Hikers will encounter thick stands of birch, cedar, and spruce, with overlooks offering views deep into the river valley below.

Wildlife is abundant. Moose, black bear, and timber wolves call this stretch of the North Shore home, and the remote feel of the park makes sightings more likely than at busier destinations.

The best time to visit is late September through mid-October, when fall color transforms the hardwood canopy into one of the most vivid displays on the North Shore. Summer brings lush greenery and wildflowers, though mosquitoes and black flies are fierce through June.

Come prepared: carry your own water, pack out all trash, and bring sturdy boots. This park rewards those willing to earn it.

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