Notice is hereby given that the Lake County Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. at the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616.
The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments on a proposed Ordinance. The purpose and intent of the proposed Ordinance is to regulate camping and land use on County Administered Lands.
Summary of the proposed ordinance:
The proposed Lake County Ordinance would regulate camping and other uses of County Administered Lands, including County tax-forfeited and County-owned properties.
The proposed ordinance establishes limits on camping on County Administered Lands. Camping would generally be limited to fourteen (14) days at one camp location from the first Saturday in May through the second Sunday in September, and twenty-one (21) days during the remainder of the year. A subsequent camp location within the same calendar year would be required to be at least fifteen (15) miles from any prior camp location.
The ordinance would prohibit certain activities on County Administered Lands, including camping within one mile of a fee campground; digging or trenching around shelters; constructing permanent shelters; placing wood, nails, screws, or other fasteners in living trees; littering; and improperly disposing of human waste, sewage, or other wastewater. The ordinance would also prohibit cutting, removing, or carrying away timber without authorization.
The proposed ordinance would establish requirements for campfires, including restrictions during red flag warnings or campfire bans, requirements for safe placement and maintenance of fires, a maximum campfire size of three feet by three feet, and requirements that campfires be attended and completely extinguished before being left unattended.
The ordinance would prohibit the abandonment of personal property and motor vehicles on County Administered Lands, subject to limited exceptions for property and vehicles temporarily associated with active camping. Abandoned property and vehicles may be handled in accordance with applicable Minnesota law.
The ordinance would also prohibit land use that is contrary to the ordinance or posted restrictions, including posted “No Trespassing” notices, and would address public nuisances occurring on County Administered Lands.
A draft of the proposed ordinance is available at the Lake County Service Center, Office of the County Administrator, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616. All persons interested are invited to attend the Public Hearing. Written comments may be submitted to clerk.board@lakecountymn.gov or by U.S. Postal Service mail to Lake County Service Center, Office of the County Administrator, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616
Northshore Journal: August 14 & 21, 2026
