I usually go to grand marais and camp there,might be better staying in a hotel in canal park while staying in Duluth.I would recommend the Lake ave cafe for lunch or go to the Scenic cafe a few miles north on the scenic drive along the lake.

I dont know about camping in duluth, but you could camp at gooseberry state park about an hour north. Its a very nice little park, with some good scenery.

There is also a state park just a little south of duluth - jay cooke state park. Ive never been there, but its not very far from duluth.

For campgrounds closer to Duluth, you might also try Wisconsin. Northland Camping (715-398-3327) is about 3 miles SE of Superior, or about 10 miles from Bayfront. It's pretty much a field full of people camping, but they've got showers, a swimming pool, etc.

For a more rustic campground that's still near Duluth, you might try Amnicon Falls State Park or Pattison State Park near Superior. Both are very pretty. Amnicon's campsites are a bit more rustic, though.

Reggae Fest is less crowded than Bluesfest, but your group will probably still want to carpool to pay less in parking fees. If you don't mind a walk of 8-10 blocks, the Canal Park area is that far from Bayfront, and there are a bunch of restaurants and other attractions there.

There is Spirit Mountain Campground in Duluth. It wouldn't be walking distance or anything but its in Duluth. I haven't stayed there in years but it is where my friends and I used to stay when going to the Bayfront Blues Festival.

There's a great new restaurant just 10 minutes up the shore from Duluth called The Lighthouse. The food is excellent- fresh fish & awesome veggie burgers. The decor is really unique- all old fishing pics & decorations. The prices are very reasonable, too. You have to stop there.I think they're open for lunches & dinners.