Chambers Grove Park (which is where the reunion will be held) is very near the beautiful Jay Cooke State Park. Jay Cooke State Park is a state park of Minnesota, protecting the lower reaches of the St. Louis River. The park is located about 10 miles southwest of Duluth and is one of the ten most visited state parks in Minnesota. The western half of the park contains part of a rocky, 13-mile gorge. This was a major barrier to Native Americans and early Europeans traveling by canoe, which they bypassed with the challenging Grand Portage of the St. Louis River. The river was a vital link connecting the Mississippi waterways to the west with the Great Lakes to the East.

Today MN State Highway 210 runs through Jay Cooke State Park. The 9 miles of the route between Carlton and Highway 23 - which include the park - are designated a Rushing Rapids Parkway, a state scenic byway.

The park is named for Pennsylvania financier Jay Cooke, who had developed a nearby power plant, which is still in use. The Grand Portage trail and three districts of 1930’s park structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2012 the Duluth area experienced a record-setting rainstorm that resulted in flooding that filled the gorge with debris, devastating the park’s roads and trails, and destroyed the historic Swinging Bridge that crosses the St. Louis River. By 2014, extensive repair work had repaired most of the trails and replaced the bridge, and further work is ongoing. In June 2015 the park celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

Click here for more info on Jay Cooke State Park programs and services

Camping: 

From the Jay Cooke website: Updated on 8/9/2017
"Jay Cooke State Park's campground bathroom building is being replaced in 2018. All 2018 campsites will be released into circulation for reservations on Monday, August 21, 2017 at noon. No 2018 camping or cabin reservations will have access to flush bathrooms or showers in the campground. Those camping on weekdays will potentially hear construction sounds coming from the bathroom area. Outhouses will be available for bathroom amenities. At this time we are still anticipating some water faucets to be available for drinking water. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we replace our aging campground bathroom building for the long-term betterment of the park."

There is a very nice KOA Campground in Cloquet, which is only 6 minutes away. They have Camping Cabins, a pool etc. KOA will start taking 2018 reservations Thanksgiving weekend, 2017.

For other nearby camping options, click on "Stay-Eat-Play" and then "Accomodations"