Sand Dunes State Forest dispersed camping offers primitive sites scattered across forest roads about an hour northwest of the Twin Cities. The camping area features sandy soil with pine stands and rolling terrain at elevations between 1,050-1,150 feet. Winter access remains possible for hardy campers, though snow conditions can make forest roads challenging without appropriate vehicles.
What to do
Hammock camping opportunities: South of Sand Dunes State Forest provides excellent hammock setup options between pine trees. As one visitor notes, "I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
Bird watching in quieter areas: The forest hosts diverse bird species that create a natural soundtrack. One camper commented, "this is a nice quiet area. Some younger people coming through sporadically playing with their trucks but nothing serious and not often" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
Vehicle-accessible forest exploration: The forest network contains multiple routes for day exploration. A visitor explained, "The road goes for a long ways, I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
What campers like
Proximity to metropolitan areas: Many campers appreciate the accessibility from urban centers. One camper stated, "I love that it's so close to home" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
Peaceful weekdays: Mid-week visits typically offer reduced traffic and noise levels. A visitor reported, "Came back on a warm weekend. A bit more traffic, but after 12 p.m., not much of anything" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
Multiple site options: The forest offers various camping spots along the main roads. According to one camper, "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
What you should know
Variable vehicle restrictions: Some forest areas limit motor vehicle access. One camper noted, "The bad part a lot of the side roads are closed to motor vehicles due to some issues they had a couple years ago but are now taken care of like people dumping" (South of Sand Dunes State Forest).
Wildlife encounters: Local wildlife may include territorial birds. A camper warned, "Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack."
Road safety concerns: Forest roads see varying levels of traffic with speed issues. A recent visitor cautioned, "This road is pretty busy for a dirt forest road and people FLY down it. Almost got hit a few times walking. Even through a Wednesday night cars are flying down the road."
Tips for camping with families
Spacing between sites: Family groups can find adequately spaced sites for privacy. A camper observed, "I just did an overnight camp one night in a truck camper and it was very easy to navigate and it was cleaned quiet area to spend the night."
Clearing awareness: Some sites have overhead branches that may affect taller vehicles. One visitor mentioned, "We did find one we thought we liked, but branches over hung, and rested on our camper (8ft high) and in fact most sites were shaded."
Evening insect preparation: Prepare for mosquitoes, especially with children at dusk. A camper shared, "As to be expected, mozzies were present, but after 5mins of the door being opened and several flying in, we decided the area wasn't for us."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: RVers should scout carefully for appropriate pull-offs. One camper advised, "For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Most spots are like the pictures shown. There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly."
Potential policy conflicts: Different authorities may interpret rules differently. An RVer shared, "Be aware if you have an rv though. I had a county sheriff person tell me it's not lawful to park a trailer and they kicked me out. I called the dnr and they said that wasn't right but I decided to leave anyway."
Road condition assessment: Forest road conditions remain generally passable but vary seasonally. A visitor noted, "I stayed here for one night and roads were totally fine for any vehicle."
