Return to the Northwoods: Raccoons and Fire-Ant-Free Naps

We’ve officially returned to Mont du Lac Resort! Now, if you look at a map, it says we are in Superior, Wisconsin, but if you ask the locals or cross the river, you're essentially in Duluth, Minnesota.

This is our second year staying here, and I have to admit, it’s quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite stops on our summer odyssey. During the winter, this place is a bustling ski hill filled with humans sliding down snowy slopes. But during the summer? It transforms into an awesome outdoor playground with a campground, alpine slides, disc golf, and a waterpark setup right on the lake.

The Superiority of Northern Grass

For me, the main attraction remains the turf.

Back at our base camp in Florida, taking an outdoor nap is a calculated risk—you always have to keep one eye open for sneaky fire ants. And when we’re hanging out around the homestead, you constantly have to watch your step so you don’t step in one of the "surprises" left behind by Patches’ 24 chickens (if you catch my drift).

Here at Mont du Lac, the grass is plush, cool, and completely free of both stinging insects and poultry landmines. I spent a good portion of my afternoon taking a world-class nap, just soaking in the northern breeze.

Night Shifts and Raccoon Mischief

The resort was much busier this year! Tons of campers were coming and going, golf carts were buzzing around, and kids were heading down to the water.

With all those extra humans comes extra food—and that brought out the local night patrol: The Raccoons.

Once Patches turns off her internal security sensors and goes to sleep for the night, these little masked bandits come out of the woods to inspect the campsite. They aren't interested in the dogs, but they are very interested in campers who get too lazy to take their trash bags to the dumpster before turning in. On more than one morning, Patches and I woke up to find shredded paper and hot dog wrappers scattered across neighboring pads. (Consider it a polite reminder from nature: lock up your food vaults, folks!)

🐾 Shadow’s Final Return Rating: 5/5 Paws

Lush napping grass, cool lake air, and top-tier raccoon watching from the windshield.

Mont du Lac isn't just a place to park an RV; it has a rich local history in the Twin Ports area!

• A Historic Winter Landmark: Nestled in the Jay Cooke State Park corridor along the St. Louis River, Mont du Lac originally opened back in 1948 as a community ski hill. It has been a beloved winter destination for generations of Duluth and Superior families.

• Summer Transformation: Over the last decade, the resort expanded into a year-round destination. In the summer, the ski slopes turn into world-class disc golf courses (hosting national tournaments!), mountain bike trails, an archery range, and the Trophy Lodge restaurant overlooking the river valley.

• Gateway to Jay Cooke: The resort sits right next to Jay Cooke State Park, famous for its dramatic swinging suspension bridge and the rugged, jagged slate rock formations along the St. Louis River.