George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is a Minnesota state park near Silver Bay, covering 6,159 acres. Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. It offers camping or lodging. Entry needs a state park vehicle permit, $7 for a day, as the DNR fees page said on October 19, 2026.
- 6,159acres
- Silver Baymailing town
- Yesovernight stays
- $7day vehicle permit
- Rustic camping
- Backcountry hiking
- Scenic views
- Waterfalls
- Wildlife
- Old-growth forests
Plan It In Three Lines
- Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Cost: a $7 one-day vehicle permit or a $35 year-round permit, per the DNR fees page of October 19, 2026; confirm before you go.
- Pets: leashed (six feet or shorter) outside buildings, lodging and beaches, per the DNR rules page; park-specific limits are listed below.
About The Park
The DNR describes it: Waterfalls cascade through a volcanic canyon surrounded by majestic forest in this North Country wilderness park. Park trails are steep and challenging, but reward hikers with spectacular views as they carve through a forest of fir, cedar, spruce and northern hardwoods. Campsites are secluded, and all require you to backpack in.
Wildlife. This is a rugged, wilderness park where bears, wolves, moose and deer share the trails with hikers. The park is home to many species of birds and small animals, including snowshoe hare, red squirrels, Canada jays, sharp-shinned hawks and.
History. The park was a donation from George H. Crosby, a mining magnate who was involved in the development of both the Mesabi and Cuyuna iron ranges.
Geology. About 1.1 billion years ago volcanoes spewed fiery lava, which cooled and built up in thick layers, forming the bedrock along most of the North Shore. Much later, glaciers scraped and dislodged the rock as they moved down from the north.
Visit Facts
- AddressContact us c/o Tettegouche State Park: 5702 Highway 61 Silver Bay, MN 55614
- Phone218-353-8800
- Park hoursDaily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
- Park office hoursThis park does not have office hours. For information, contact Tettegouche State Park.
- Emailtettegouche.statepark@state.mn.us
- Park GPS point47.47945, -91.12301 (DNR printed coordinates)
- Official pageDNR page for George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
Trails
| Season | Trail type | Length | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking | 24 miles | Rugged backcountry trails with great wildlife viewing, old-growth forests and scenic waterfalls. About five miles of the Superior Hiking Trail run through the park. |
| Winter | Snowshoe | Anywhere in park | — |
Camping And Lodging
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Backpack Sites | 20 sites | Secluded, remote sites range from one-half to four and one-half miles from parking. Many sites are along the Manitou River, and four are near Benson Lake. |
Reservations go through the DNR system; start from the park page.
On The Water
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Water Source | Benson Lake and a river | — |
| Boat Access | Carry in only | — |
| Boating Restrictions | No motors | — |
| Canoe Access | Benson Lake | — |
Other Recreation
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Picnic Area | On Benson Lake | Quiet, peaceful picnic area. |
Amenities
| Type | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Firewood | No firewood for sale on site | Low impact camping is encouraged, including use of camp stoves rather than fires. If you must have a campfire, please keep it small and only gather dead and downed wood from areas that are well away from any campsite. |
Pets And Permits
Statewide, the DNR rules page says pets are welcome in state parks on a leash six feet or shorter, attended at all times; only service animals are allowed in buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas. A vehicle permit costs $7 a day or $35 a year (DNR fees page, read October 19, 2026). See the parks passport page for the full price list.
Directions
From the village of Finland, go seven miles north on Lake County Road 7. Physical address: 7616 Lake County Road 7, Finland, MN 55603
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions.
Nearby Places
- Tettegouche State ParkState Park, about 10 miles away in a straight line
- Temperance River State ParkState Park, about 13 miles away in a straight line
- Split Rock Lighthouse State ParkState Park, about 22 miles away in a straight line
- Gooseberry Falls State ParkState Park, about 29 miles away in a straight line
- Cascade River State ParkState Park, about 33 miles away in a straight line
- Bear Head Lake State ParkState Park, about 49 miles away in a straight line
What We Could Not Verify
- Current alerts, closures, trail and campground conditions: they change daily. Read the DNR park page before you go.
- County: the DNR page does not state it, so we do not print one.
- Fees for lodging and group sites, and day-by-day availability: set by the DNR reservation system.
- Permit prices were read on October 19, 2026 and the DNR page shows no effective date.
- The map point is the park’s printed coordinate, not a verified entrance.
More In Duluth & North Shore
- Canal Park and the Lakewalk, Duluth
- Grand Portage National Monument
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
- Split Rock Lighthouse Historic Site
- Superior Hiking Trail
- Cascade River State Park
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Grand Portage State Park
- Jay Cooke State Park
- Judge C.R. Magney State Park
- Events in Duluth & North Shore
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is George H. Crosby Manitou State Park?
It is near Silver Bay, Minnesota. The DNR address is Contact us c/o Tettegouche State Park: 5702 Highway 61 Silver Bay, MN 55614.
How much does it cost to visit George H. Crosby Manitou State Park?
A one-day vehicle permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35 on the DNR fees page we read on October 19, 2026. Check the fees page before you go.
Are dogs allowed at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash six feet or shorter outside buildings, lodging, tours and beach areas, per the DNR rules page. The park page states no extra limits we could read.
Sources
- George H. Crosby Manitou State Park (DNR Recreation Compass data) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park fees (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota state park rules (DNR) (read November 1, 2026).
- Minnesota State Parks Passport, all places, park fees and rules.