Nestled into the tall trees on the North Shore of Lake Superior, MN is a lesser-known but hidden gem of a campground and State Park called Tettegouche State Park / Baptism River. While most North Shore explorers and vacations stop at the more popular Split Rock State Park or Gooseberry Falls State Park, they forget that a little farther north lies another, and arguably better State Park and Camp Ground located on the raging and rushing waters of Baptism River.

The campground is located directly on the North Shore highway and is a circle loop with all campsites buried into the tall trees giving a great barrier and much privacy between each site, more than most campers are used to at busy and loud State Park grounds most summer evenings.

The relatively small size of the 20-some-odd campsites also gives it a smaller friendly appeal.

One of the best parts about the Tettegouche State Park / Baptism River campground is the fact it has YEAR-ROUND open HEATED restrooms and shower facilities that are well-kept and clean. Especially for those looking for a place to call home in the offseasons of early spring or fall, when the campground is only holding a few visitors, it feels like you have the North Shore to yourself and these heated and learn restrooms and showers are a wonder to behold.

You won’t ever want to leave.

Why Tettegouche State Park  is the best place to camp.

One of the best parts about camping at Baptism River is there there are trails and hiking right from the campground, you can easily hike .3 miles to beautiful waterfalls! You don’t even have to get in your car.

Also, this is located farther North of the popular Split Rock and Gooseberry Falls State Parks, so you are within striking distance of Grand Marais and the more rugged North Shore scenery than if you had stayed a little farther south.

If you are looking for campsite on the North Shore, skip the more popular Split Rock and Gooseberry falls, head north to Baptism River!

• seclusion of campsites
• close to North Shore popular towns like Grand Marais
• Close access to trails and waterfalls

It’s becoming more and more common all across the country … from the Midwest to the West Coast and back again, to run into Mountain Lions in the woods. With successful reintroductions and an exploding population of deer and other small game, Mountain Lions are making a serious comeback in many areas where they were previously never found.

This has been the case for the wandering of the Average Flatlanders recently. The past few years have been a constant stream of news reports and videos of Mountain Lions traveling around the area we call home.

Recently we went fishing in the same spot where numerous Mountain Lion traps have been set.

One of the un-sung heroes of the fishing world and one of the hardest is Crappie Fishing.

They are not as numerous as bass or catfishing, they are harder to find, and even trickier to catch. But when you can find one, you can find more, and boy are the fun to catch and eat!

How do you catch crappies?

• Use small jigs and lures (panfish size)
• Find structures, rocks, bridges, trees, and other underwater clutter.

Watch the Average Flander do just that under a bridge on a small stream.

It’s funny the thing most people don’t think about when heading out for adventures in the outdoors. I’ve always had a simple philosophy about how to make any outdoor adventure experience the best it can possibly be.

“It’s the little things that matter. The planning and preprations that make you comfortable on your oudoor adventure are key.”

I’ve spent a lot of time in the outdoors, pretty much every waking minute of my life. I’ve also had the good fortune to be the conduit take many others on some of their first outdoor adventures, backpacking, fishing, hiking, camping, doesn’t matter what the adventure is. You have to be prepared, and it’s usually the small things that make the difference.

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