Five miles down a gravel road in Cloquet Valley State Forest, Carrol Truck Trail ends at a small dirt landing used for canoe and kayak put-ins on the Knife River. The drive requires an SUV or similarly capable vehicle. Larger rigs won't manage the road well, and several pull-offs along the way sit on private land, so campers should continue to the end where roughly three established spots are available.
Wildlife is a real presence here. One camper reported a pack of coyotes or wolves running directly past their fire, unfazed by a car horn, which prompted an early departure. Mosquitoes and ticks are significant in warmer months. No cell service is reliable, though one reviewer noted a weak AT&T signal. The sites have no formal amenities, no marked boundaries, and no mowing, but existing fire rings are in place and firewood is available from surrounding woods.
Water can be filtered from the river, and the canoe launch gives paddlers direct access to the water. As Peter L. put it, "No amenities, but you can filter your water." Cleanliness varies by visit since previous campers occasionally leave garbage behind. Nearby, Cloquet River Dispersed — Cloquet Valley State Forest provides another dispersed option if this spot is occupied. Carrol Truck Trail is free, open to pets, and well-suited to self-sufficient campers who come prepared for bugs, wildlife, and limited infrastructure.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCarrol Truck Trail is located in Minnesota near Knife River
Coordinates
47.116191 N
92.0256835 W
Connectivity
T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/29/26
VerizonNo Coverage- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 5/11/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/29/26
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 5/11/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Firewood Available
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Carrol Truck Trail needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 40 min from Duluth, MN
- 2 hrs 46 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 2 hrs 54 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 3 hrs from St. Cloud, MN
