Searching for a dispersed camping spot near Aitkin? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the trees or wide open spaces, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect dispersed campsite.
Canoe in site that is also used by hikers/bikers on the Paul Bunyan Trail. The Paul Bunyan State Trail is 115 miles long, not including a couple of short on-road connections through the cities of Baxter and Bemidji. Extending all the the way from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park, north of Bemidji, it is the longest of Minnesota's state trails and the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country.
Dispersed camping is allowed in Minnesota state forests. Dispersed camping is different from camping in a designated campground. It is a wilderness experience for campers who enjoy camping far from others and do not need any amenities.
There are no amenities. No bathroom, pit toilet, water pump, fire grate, trashcan, or picnic table. State forest maps are a great guide; many are available as downloadable geopdfs. No fee. First-come, first-served. Where to disperse camp You must camp at least one mile outside of designated campsites or campgrounds on state forest land. Park vehicles in parking lots or safely on the full shoulder of a road. Do not block road or trail traffic with your vehicle. You cannot camp at parking lots or trailheads.
Campsite selection Dispersed campers can camp in any suitable site that already exists or any opening in the woods - such as a natural clearing, meadow, or timber sale landing. You cannot create new campsites by cutting trees or vegetation.
Pick a location that has level ground with good drainage. Place camping equipment to avoid damage to plants and do not camp within 100 feet of any water source.
Dispersed camping rules All dispersed campers are responsible for obeying state forest rules and regulations in Minnesota Rules.
State forests are open to dispersed camping unless otherwise posted. Do not dig or trench the ground around your tent. Bury human waste (if vault toilets are not available) and animal parts, such as fish guts, at least 150 feet from a water body and away from areas where it could cause a nuisance or hazard to public health. Collect only dead wood lying on the ground for campfires within the state forest. Do not block trails, roads, or gates with your vehicle. Building permanent structures of any kind is prohibited. You must remove all garbage. Summer dispersed camping is limited to 14 days. Dispersed camping is limited to 21 days between the second Sunday in September and first Saturday in May.
Guide
There are many different sites (most just pull offs) in this area! I did see one that was pull through further down game refuge road. The cell service with Verizon is good enough to stream videos and work on your laptop with ease. There aren't too many people in the area, even on a Sunday in July. The bugs are not great but that's just what you're going to get in an area like this one. Overall I would definitely stay here again.
Guide
Absolutely nothing interesting about this place. It’s just a standard issue dirt lot with a slight incline. Open parking, no sites.
Ranger
There were a good amount of spots, and I seemed to be the only person. Was a good and secluded. I did hear some weird noises throughout the night, but all was well. It is your average dispersed site. I made it fine with 2wd, just take it slow.
Ranger
Most of these spots are cutoffs on the sides of the dirt road. They are deep and have plenty of room, though. Almost all of them I could see have firepits. The spot I stayed in was the most secluded I could find. It was through a ditch and up a small hill and set back in the woods. There is a firepit up there as well. I spent 3 days here with only one car passing through on the first night. After that, nothing! You wouldn't have a problem finding a place if your pulling a trailer.
RangerYou'll want to come in on 640th lane. The road does a lot of winding, and sections aren't always in the best shape. I wouldn't recommend any trailers unless you have 4x4 and the trailer is set up for offroad. Ideally, this is a better straight vehicle spot. There are numerous spots off the road to camp. I stayed over at the very dead end, which, on Google, is labeled "deer camp." It's quiet and deep in. Good luck. No amenities.
Legend
This is a beautiful deeply wooded double campsite along the scenic Pine River. It is accessible only by foot, bike or paddle, for trekkers on the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail or the Pine River Water Trail. For paddlers, the campsite is right on the river between River Mile 35 and 36, just south of the town of Pine River. For bikers or hikers, it is about a half mile south down the trail from the Bites Bar and Grill to the turn off west on a dirt trail about a half mile down to the river. There are two campsites avaialble, for separate campers or for a group to encompas the whole camping area. Fire ring, picnic table, tent clearings available. There is no cost to camp here, but also no way to reserve either of the sites, and in accordance to trail etiquette if you show up on your bike or in your canoe ready to camp but someone else is there, they should share the camping space with you.
Map of the water trail is here:
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe\_routes/pine.pdf
General info on the water trail is here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/pineriver/index.html
Map of the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail is here: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state\_trails/paulbunyan\_heartland.pdf
General info on the bike trail is here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state\_trails/paul\_bunyan/index.html
Scout7/7/1921 pull off sites big have a 37 ft fifth wheel no problem nice an quietalot of ticks but had a great time
Guide
Located on the North Country Trail. Decent hike to campsite. Surrounded by nature. Campsite has a fire ring and a bench/table. It helped for taking my hiking bag off. Very quiet, no sounds of vehicles or people. Biggest negative is there is no parking lot. Must park on road. Campsite was well taken care of. The site is smaller. It does over look a tiny little lake with bird life. Water is mucky looking, I wouldn’t swim in it. Trail goes through long grass and tall trees. Lots of beaver activity as well when circling the near by lake.
TravelerI've camped here twice, now. Once roadside during hunting season with oranges on and once in December. So far, I enjoy it. Where to start... The roads aren't really kept up for the winter. So, you'll want 4 wheel drive and slow and mindful driving. I walked in for ten minutes from one of the parking spots. I just cleared the snow, built a heat retaining wall, and set up camp in front of it. I did hear wolves for the first time. They were howling after sunset. A little creepy, camping alone. But, i don't suspect they'd come too close.
If you want secluded, minimal camping. This is an okay spot, close to the twin cities.
GuideMy middle son and I did a bike packing trip on the Paul Bunyon Trail, we rode up from Crow Wing and stayed at this little gem for the night. Got there around 3PM, set up camp and then rode into Pine River for his birthday dinner. The trail in to the site was fun to ride on bike, there was plenty of down wood for a fire and would love to return!
LegendDispersed camping along the forest roads. Areas are cleared away that are quite separate giving some privacy. They are right on the road so vehicles pass by. Off road trails can be found but we did not discover cleared hiking paths. After finding a tick quickly we just hiked along the road. Only one other camper so during the non-hunting season this might be a good stopover.
We did encounter a lot of birds as well as deer.
LegendThis is a unique little site that's really a canoe camp, but accessible by foot as well. It's not well advertised...almost a secret! But if you are in a canoe, it's easy to find off the river. If you are on foot or bicycle, it's marked on the paved Paul Bunyan Trail.
From the trail, it's about a 1/2 mile walk/hike to the site. Not super easy if you have a bike, but do-able. Easy if on foot, and super easy if in a canoe! There are actually 2 sites, about a 1/4 mile apart, and both are equally nice. Newer picnic tables, fire rings, lots of trees for hammocks, right on the river with super easy in/out for canoes. Very pretty view on the river! Both have bathroom/latrine/toilet access as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Aitkin, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Aitkin, MN is Hill River State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Aitkin, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Aitkin, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
