RV Rental Duluth, MN

Duluth, Minnesota RV Rentals

When you think about Duluth, Minnesota, you might not know what, exactly, to expect. But this city is a hidden gem within Minnesota, offering everything from awe-inspiring architecture downtown in the city to thrilling outdoor adventures in wide-open nature. And Duluth RV rentals offer a fantastic opportunity to get out and explore all that this Great Lakes city has to show off.

Located right along the north shore of Lake Superior, you’ll find a mix of urban and natural sights throughout Duluth. As one of the most popular destinations in all of Minnesota, you can enjoy a little bit of everything when you choose RV rentals in Duluth. Whether you want to get outdoors within the extensive public parks system or take in the sights of the seaport city, it’s all possible, right by the water. 

Popular RV Destinations in Duluth

Canal Park’s Lakewalk

One of the coolest sights to see in Duluth is Lake Superior — and luckily, there are plenty of spots to explore the lake within the city. One of the best is Canal Park’s Lakewalk, a lengthy park and recreation area that literally hugs the edges of this Great Lake. You can drive your RV right up to the shoreline and explore a number of different activities and adventures on your own.

There’s something for every kind of RV traveler at Canal Park’s Lakewalk. Located right in the epicenter of Duluth’s downtown area, you’ll find plenty of activities that cover every kind of recreation: a promenade, walking and biking trails, and even shops and restaurants. Along these trails, you’ll run into Leif Erickson Park, Duluth Rose Garden, a replica of Leif Erickson’s Viking ship, and the city’s largest playground, Playfront Park. 

Aerial Lift Bridge

You simply can’t miss the Aerial Lift Bridge while you’re vacationing and camping in your RV in the Duluth area. First built over 115 years ago, the Aerial Lift Bridge welcomes you into the city with its cool engineering and architectural mastery. It spans the waterway between Duluth’s mainland and Park Point, and it’s actually a working bridge that runs 24 hours a day.

You can see this impressive bridge from either end or from scenic spots along Lake Superior. It’s quite the sight to see as it rises and lowers while freighters, cargo ships, and even sailboats pass along the water underneath. At night, the bridge becomes even more stunning — it’s covered in hundreds of LED lights that only illuminate when the sun sets, giving you a totally different view than what you see during the daytime.

Skyline Parkway

If you’re an RV camper who’s looking for some fun adventure, you’re going to want to head to Skyline Parkway. Nestled above the city of Duluth, this Minnesota destination offers both stunning bird’s eye perspectives of the whole city and Lake Superior. But it’s also the perfect destination for those who want to get outdoors and explore in active ways.

Along the Skyline Parkway, you have plenty of activities to choose from. You can drive your RV past various trails for mountain biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing (in the winter only, of course) and stop at some seriously scenic picnic areas. One of the can’t miss stops is the Duluth Traverse Trail, which is a mountain biking trail that actually covers the entire length of the city of Duluth — and it’s great for getting active.

Enger Park and Enger Tower

If you’re looking for a scenic destination combined with an outdoor activity, you’re going to want to head to Enger Park and Enger Tower. Located along the sky-high bluffs above the city, this Duluth destination offers both stunning sights and gorgeous outdoor trails to explore. You can start by visiting Enger Tower, which was built in 1939 and can be climbed so you can experience 360-degree views of Lake Superior and Duluth Harbor.

Once you’ve explored the tower, Enger Park has plenty more to see. There are perennial gardens you can walk through, the Japanese Peace Bell, and the Superior Hiking Trail. If you want to try something more challenging, rock climbing and bouldering are possible here too; just head to Slab Boulder or the Upper and Lower Walls within the park to check out locals’ favorite climbing spots. 

Spirit Mountain

If you’re hoping to discover some thrills within Duluth on your RV camping trip, you can’t miss Spirit Mountain. This four-season adventure park sits just 15 miles north of Duluth’s city limits, and it’s not far from many surrounding campsites and RV parks. Here, you’ll truly find thrills and exciting sports to try.

While Spirit Mountain is open year-round, warm weather visits offer incredible views of Lake Superior and some seriously cool trails to try. You can mountain bike down challenging ski runs, ride an alpine coaster, take in speed and naturescapes from zip lines, and even play disc golf. If you have kids — or if you want to take things slower — you can also participate in chairlift rides or the Spirit Mountain “jump pillow.”

Split Rock Lighthouse

Make sure to drive your RV rental to Split Rock Lighthouse while you’re visiting Duluth. Located along the northern edge of Lake Superior, this lighthouse is quite famous — and it’s one of the most beloved, best-known landmarks in all of Minnesota. It stands guard over Two Harbors and was originally built in 1910; today, it’s open to visitors who can explore the lighthouse, its surrounding ground, and even take a guided tour. 

What’s really cool about Split Rock Lighthouse is its unique vantage points. As you drive up to the lighthouse, stop at the Highway 61 wayside rest stop to see it from a distance. Then, you can follow the hiking trails that run along the cliffs surrounding the lighthouse to get even more angles and views. 

Events and Entertainment in Duluth

Bayfront Blues Festival

If you’re looking for the best events in Duluth, you won’t want to miss the Bayfront Blues Festival. Held in August each year, this weekend music festival brings regional, national, and even international blues musicians into town for one of the largest outdoor music events in all of the Midwest. You can take in the sights of Lake Superior while enjoying two concert stages and approximately 30 different acts all weekend long.

The Bayfront Blues Festival features musical performances as well as other fun events. You can join the Moonlight Mardi Gras cruise along the lake, visit participating local nightclubs for various blues nights, and even catch gospel and blues-rock live. If you’re a music fan, this is an event you’ll want to be in town for.

Grandma’s Marathon

Here’s a cool event you can’t find anywhere other than Duluth, Minnesota: Grandma’s Marathon, an annual 26.2-mile course right along the north side of Lake Superior. But this event is no average marathon. It’s actually a marathon combined with a weekend festival that offers fun events for participants of all ages.

Grandma’s Marathon starts in Two Harbors and runs through Duluth’s Canal Park. You can cheer on runners as they try to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and when the race is over you can indulge in food, beverages, and live local music. If you want to participate, the marathon is open to anyone including first-timers, and the terrain’s gentle hills are smooth and low-key enough for runners of all experience levels.

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

While the Duluth weather is often too cold for many RV campers in the winter, you might want to brave the low temperatures just to see the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon for yourself. Since 1980, this event has been a one-of-a-kind marathon that brings world-class mushers and their dogs to Minnesota. Covering 400 miles from Duluth to the Canadian border and back, it’s the longest sled dog race in the contiguous U.S. and is a qualifier for Alaska’s Iditarod race.

During the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, you can join thousands of international visitors and hundreds of professional mushers. There are several races to watch, and there’s even a special camping environment that RV renters will want to join. You camp out with other spectators, hang out around the campfire, and even see the canine athletes up close.

Duluth Air Show

Each year, the Duluth Air Show brings impressive feats and performances to the skies over Duluth in Minnesota’s largest and most exciting air show. Held at the Duluth International Airport, this hugely popular air show brings more than 50,000 spectators into town over two days. And if you’ve ever wanted to see some of the best pilots perform, this is your chance. 

During the Duluth Air Show, you can see performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The most sought after military and civilian performers worldwide come to this air show, and you can also check out cool exhibits and demonstrations about aviation, exploration, and aeronautics. If you have kids, there’s even more to enjoy, like aerobatics and avionic tricks just for young viewers and the chance to check out aircraft up close. 

FAQs

Q: What are RV Rentals?

Duluth RV rentals give you the opportunity to own an RV — temporarily, at least. You can come to Duluth and rent an RV that you’re free to drive around the city and surrounding region, visiting any campgrounds and sights you want to explore. When your trip is finished, you return your RV and head home. It’s the ideal way to visit Duluth without having to invest in an RV of your own, and it gives you a chance to try out RV camping in an affordable way. 

Q: How Much are RV Rentals?

You can expect to pay between $75 and $150 per night to rent a small camper or motorhome in Duluth, Minnesota. Renting a larger RV can run you between $100 to $250 per night. However, if you’re planning to rent an RV for a week or longer, you may be able to score a discounted rate for long-term rental.

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Duluth?

You’ll need to be at least 25 years old in order to rent an RV from most Duluth RV rental companies. Some companies may allow drivers as young as 21 years old to rent, but doing so can come with additional fees or insurance requirements — so make sure to check each company’s policy before choosing a rental.

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

You’ll definitely need insurance in order to rent an RV. Before renting, you can check with your current auto insurance company to see if your policy covers RV rentals. However, most basic auto policies won’t offer this. You’ll likely need to purchase a short-term insurance policy from your Duluth RV rental company when you pick up your motorhome.

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

RV return policies vary from rental company to rental company, so you’ll want to check the details of your contract before you hit the road. Many rental companies will require you to return your rental RV either with a full tank of fuel or the same amount of fuel you had when you picked it up. However, other companies may have different policies. Some may even allow you to pay for refueling, which can save you time and effort — but it’ll come with a higher cost.

Q: Are RVs pet friendly in Duluth?

This is another policy that varies from rental company to rental company. While some RV rental companies will welcome furry friends, others may not. You may also be able to bring along your pet but will need to pay an extra fee. Make sure to check with the rental companies you’re considering before simply bringing your pet along for your RV travels.