Western end of the
Island:
Description:
A stream runs through the camground and all the sites are along the shoreline. The cove is reletively small and full of rocks. Each campsite looks out over the water of Lake Superior. A small bridge was build over the stream that runs into the cove. The surrounding area is rocky with steep hills and ridges.
Rating: *****
Uppers:
I’m pretty sure they build the bridge for sitting and reading or writing. Every so often you have to get up if someone is passing through, but they smile and say something nice appreciating you appreciating the sound of water rolling over rocks and sand racing to meet the upper lake. The shoreline hike is amazingly beautiful.
Downers:
Huginnin is popular. Its close proximately to Windigo make it an ideal first day destination or even last night stay. Sound carries over the cove really well and you can hear people whispering love poems at night. The rocks in the cove make it hard to walk in without some sort of foot protection.
Information:
Huginnin Cove Campground has 3 consecutive nights maximum stay, 5 individual tent site, no shelters, and no group sites. It has self-contained stoves only and trail access.
Day Hikes:
The Wendigo Mines are relatively close to the campsite and make a nice trip if you aren’t passing by them on your hike the next day.
Distances:
Windigo 4.3, Washington Creek 4.0, Siskiwit Bay 14.4, Island Mine 10.0, North Desor 14.4, Feldtmann 12.8, South Desor 14.7.
Description:
Feldtmann lake is a nice sandy bottom lake and is usually quiet except for the loons who smooth the spirit. The shore is a small sandy shore border with tall grass.
Rating: **** ½
Uppers:
Feldtmann is out of the way and so you should find some seclution here. The inland lake is tops on the list as far as serenity.
Downers:
It is 10 miles from the nearest campground. Unseasoned hikers might find 10 miles either way a bit of a strain.
Information:
Feldtmann Lake Campground has 2 consecutive nights maximum stay, 5 individual tent sites, no shelters, and 2 group sites. It has trail access and self-contained stoves only are allowed.
Day Hikes:
A short hike out to Lake Superior to Rainbow Cove is worth it, especially if you catch a sunset.
Distances:
Windigo 8.8, Washington Creek 9.1, Siskiwit Bay 10.2,
Description:
This campground is open to the bay with an old loading dock from Island Mine. The dock is huge and the beach is red rocks. The sites are off the shore with small trees and shrubs protection them.
Rating: ***
Uppers:
The tentsites had a lot of room and the bay is a pleasing view. It seems like a very popular place for raptors and watching the birds drop from the sky and splash into the bay never got boring.
Downers:
The docks have the potential for noisy boaters, but it wasn’t a problem when we camped at Siskiwit. There were no real downers with Siskiwit that I recall.
Information:
Siskiwit Bay Campground has 3 consecutive nights maximum stay, 4 individual tent sites, 2 shelters, and 3 group sites. It has boat access, trail access, fires in the community fire ring and provided grills, and no alcohol allowed.
Day Hikes:
One place you might want to hike is to the Big Siskiwit River and play around.
Distances:
Island Mine 4.4, Feldtmann 10.2, Windigo 11.3, Washington Creek 11.0, South Desor 9.9.
Description:
Island Mine is set in the woods between the Oak Ridge and the Greenstone. The Little Siskiwit River passes through the site.
Rating: *
Reletive to the rest of the Island. It would be a great campsite anywhere else in the world. There is nothing wrong with it.
Uppers:
It can’t be beat for location. This site makes a good stop for most intineraries.
Downers:
There is no large body of water or great views at the campsite.
Information:
Island Mine Campground has 3 consecutive nights maximum stay, 4 individual tent site, no shelters, and 2 group sites. It has trail access and self-contained stoves only.
Day Hikes:
Hiking to the Island Mine is worth the effort. Most of the mine is covered in moss and growth and there is nothing spectacular like huge caves to climb in, but it is a neat site.
Distances:
Windigo 6.9, Siskiwit Bay 4.4, Huginnin Cove 10.0, South Desor 5.5
Description:
The hike to the lake is steep and the campsites are set in dense woods.
Rating: ***
Uppers:
One of the best lakes on the Island.
Downers:
The steep trails to the water make it a little annoying after a long day hiking, you don’t want a lot of barriers between you and lots of fresh cold water. The campsites are thick black dirt and seating is on logs or rocks.
Information:
Desor South Campground has 2 consecutive nights maximum stay, 7 individual tent sites, no shelters, and three group sites. It has trail access nd self-contained stoves only.
Day Hikes:
Hiking around the lake and the trails would be an adventure.
Distances:
Windigo 11.6, Todd Harbor 11.6, Siskiwit Bay 9.9, Malone bay 10.9, Island Mine 5.5, Hatchet Lake 8.1
Description:
North Desor is down off the rough and tough Minong Ridge. The sites are in the woods, but have a clear view of the lake. North Desor campsite has little shore to speak of; it is a large weathered rock face that is a little steep. (this is a grea place to dry your clothes). The inland lake is the second largest on the island. The water depth drops quickly off the shore and old trees can be seen in the depths.
Rating: ****
Uppers:
North Desor has the best inland lake view on the island. (with perhaps lake Siskiwit as the best, but I’ve never seen it.) If the sun is out sitting out on the rock face will warm you up. You might have to share with a few garder snakes. It is a great Zen place if you are working on hiking the Minong. If you are going west, the best is yet to come, if you are going east, well it aint over yet.
Downers:
The campsites on North Desor are very close together and there are only 3 of them. The overflow has no where to go, and you can end up sharing a small campsite with strangers who make pasties for dinner.
Information:
Desor North Campground has 2 consecutive nights maximum stay, 3 individual tent sites, no shelters, and no group sites. It has trail access nd self-contained stoves only.
Day Hikes:
Nothing is in a good day hike distance. Mount Desor and Ishpeming Point are nice if you have the time to spend. It wold be better to just incorporate them into a days journey to ather campsite
Distances:
Little Todd Harbor 5.7, Windigo 12.9, Todd Harbor 11.2, Huginnin Cove 14.4, Hatchet Lake 12.3
Description:
The campsites are in a clearing with a few trees with a board canopy. It is a thin forest near the campsites with trail running down to the lake.
Rating: **
Uppers:
The lake is a wonderful spot for watching moose.
Downers:
The forest is really open and you can see other sites readily. The dense vegetation and position on the island mean there are no good day hikes. (JC)
Information:
Hatchet Lake Campground has 2 consecutive nights maximum stay, 5 individual tent site, no shelters, and 3 group sites. It has trail access and self-contained stoves only.
Day Hikes:
Nothing stands out for a great day hike. Play in the woods, hike up to Todd Harbor, drop a rock on your foot.
Distances:
Todd Harbor 3.9, Little Todd Harbor 7.8, Lake Ritchie 10.9, East Chickenbone 9.3, West Chickenbone 7.9, South Desor 8.1, McCargo Cove 10.5, Malone Bay 11.3.
Description:
Little Todd sits on the north shore; the waves of Lake Superior pound, or caress the shore depending on the weather. The sites are spread out with a backdrop of a well aged forest.
Rating: ****
Uppers:
Little Todd is a diamond in the rough. It is secluded enough on the Minong that you can find some peace, and there is no dock so the boaters just pass on by. You’ll only meet the best people on the Minong. Those that aren’t the best and try the Minong are never heard from again. Oh well.
Downers:
Some might say no shelter potential is a downer, but let’s not get too picky.
Information:
Little Todd Campground has 2 consecutive nights maximum stay, 3 individual tent sites, no shelters, and no group sites. It has canoe and kayak access, campfires allowed in provided grills only, and trail access.
Distances:
North Desor 5.7, Todd Harbor 6.7, Hatchet Lake 7.8, McCargo 13.3
Shelters, tent sites, groups sites. Programs, grocery. I’m not going to rate it.
Distances:
Feldtmann 8.8, Island Mine 6.9, Huginnin 4.3, South Desor 11.6