Lake Superior Circle Tour - advise on Boondocking RV

Wow this brings back memories. My dad took the family on a 6 week adventure around lake superior when I was 10. We took our 2 German shepherds with us. 20 ft travel Holiday travel trailer and a 1964 Chevy suburban. dogs covered most of the floor at bed time.
As to Bears while staying in Algonquin Provincial part we got up one morning to see the trash containers at every camp site along the road torn up but ours. Dogs were inside. Ranger came by later in the morning and said the bears are not afraid of the dogs but don't want to be bothered by them so they bypassed our site.
Don't sleep with your food and you should be fine.

Supercharged wrote:
Big Bears

They rip two by six boards apart on closed trash bins with their bare claws. Seen plenty of that in the North Country too at CGs.

VWRialta wrote:

doxiemom11 wrote:
You will be in bear country, so no matter where you stay, please stay safe. Store food and dispose of garbage appropriately.

The food and garbage we can manage, three yappy dogs who can irk even a hibernating bear is what concerns me most. Any dog owners with experience taking dogs on trails? I can't imagine keeping them locked up in the RV all the time.

That's what you're going to have to do. Keep 'em locked-up, unless you want a bear attacking one of them. I have camped for almost as many years as I've been alive in the N. Minnesota wilderness and Boundary waters. One thing there is NO shortage of is bears in the North Country. May be best to leave your critters at home while in the camping scenes of N. Minnesota.

we camp in the U.P all the time and yes wolves are a problem, had a one try to pick a fight with our rottweilers a few years back, don't think he would of won unless the pack came and helped out

There is place on the north side of Two Harbors that have tourist information (right side of Hiway 61) with good parking. The rest area on I-35 coming down the hill to Duluth has lots of information plus a great view. Not too sure on boondocking areas up highway 61.

The Super Wal-Mart is "up the hill" in Hermantown next to Hiway 53. Parking in a big lot next to the hiway.

dewey02 wrote:
Again, I can't speak for Canadian side, but I have lived in North east MN, Northern WI, and the UP for almost all of my adult life. We do not cower in our homes or Travel Trailers in fear of wolves and Bears. We take our dogs out with us when we hike and enjoy the north woods. And reports of any attacks are extremely rare. Bears go after food in the Boundary Waters canoe area wilderness, but that is because the only place to stow food in the wilderness is in a pack and run it up a tree. Down by Lake Superior, there are more people and developments, and therefore less likely the haunts of bears/wolves and you have your vehicle or TT to store food in.

Wolves are pretty much a non-issue if you don't let your dog run loose or tie him up outside when you are not around.

There IS a wildlife issue of concern to anyone traveling in the north woods....DEER. They dart out in front of your vehicle as you are going 50 mph. Lots of damage and serious dent in your vacation plans. Good to have your copilot as a spotter.

I was pointing out that wolves are more of an issue to dogs (especially to hunting dogs) than bears are. Plus, wolves are a *relatively new* threat in the lower 48, outside of Minnesota, that a lot of folks aren't familiar with. Here is the Wisconsin DNR dog depredation page. I did not tacitly or otherwise imply that those who are in the northwoods should cower inside fearing bears or wolves.

dewey02 makes a good point about the deer. It's wise to avoid driving those roads during dusk hours and after dark, when the deer are up and moving. The chance of encountering one with your grille is much greater than the chance of run-ins with wolves or bears. Just store food properly.

For boondocking in national forests, it's a good idea to consult the MVUM (motor vehicle use map) issued for each such forest so you know the rules about how far off the road you can pull your vehicle, etc.

There are a handful of small (2 to 4 campsites each) NF CGs along your route in MN that are free of charge; but they all tend to be 30 miles up some out-of-the-way gravel road.

Sue Bee wrote:
Your dogs will be in more danger from wolves than bears. I can't help with your other questions, but you will be in wolf country.

Again, I can't speak for Canadian side, but I have lived in North east MN, Northern WI, and the UP for almost all of my adult life. We do not cower in our homes or Travel Trailers in fear of wolves and Bears. We take our dogs out with us when we hike and enjoy the north woods. And reports of any attacks are extremely rare. Bears go after food in the Boundary Waters canoe area wilderness, but that is because the only place to stow food in the wilderness is in a pack and run it up a tree. Down by Lake Superior, there are more people and developments, and therefore less likely the haunts of bears/wolves and you have your vehicle or TT to store food in.

Wolves are pretty much a non-issue if you don't let your dog run loose or tie him up outside when you are not around.

There IS a wildlife issue of concern to anyone traveling in the north woods....DEER. They dart out in front of your vehicle as you are going 50 mph. Lots of damage and serious dent in your vacation plans. Good to have your copilot as a spotter.

Your dogs will be in more danger from wolves than bears. I can't help with your other questions, but you will be in wolf country.

Big Bears