BEAVER BAY—Construction is underway for a new Shipwreck Creek Campground north of Highway 61, as well as mountain biking trails at Split Rock State Park. A late summer or fall grand opening is anticipated.
The campground will have three loops with 46 campsites, all with electrical hookups. There will be a modern shower and bathroom building, too. The campground is connected to the rest of the park’s amenities by a new road being constructed under Highway 61. A paved trail will connect the campground to the Gitchi Gami Trail. Another connection, with a parking area, will connect to Lake County’s Split Rock Wilds trails, also under construction.
The campground project is a cooperative effort between Lake County and Minnesota State Parks and Trails. Project design, permitting and construction of the campground and associated facilities is funded with $7.5 million from the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund. Lake County funded the $1.6 million roadway with a grant from the State Park Road Account.
To offset the new facility’s energy consumption, solar panels will be constructed at a to-be-determined Minnesota Parks and Trails facility that is more conducive to generating electricity.
The mountain bike trails are a Lake County project with assistance from the IRRB, Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, One Track Mind Foundation, Cove Point Lodge and Castle Danger Brewery. Twelve miles of mountain bike trails were constructed last summer between the campground and Cove Point Lodge, about 10 miles away in Beaver Bay. The trails can be accessed from Cove Point, but the campground access is closed until the grand opening.
There is a beginner-friendly loop near the Shipwreck Creek Campground. On Pine Know, across the creek from the campground, are several advanced and expert level trails with jumps, rock rolls and drops. The trail becomes more rocky and technical until it descends near Cove Point.
This year, Lake County plans to build a less technical, 10-mile trail from Shipwreck Creek to Cove Point, creating a loop ride. The One Track Mind Foundation will provide funding to build an intermediate level jump trail near Cove Point.
