Best Dispersed Camping near Baxter, MN

Dispersed camping opportunities near Baxter, Minnesota include several free primitive sites across state forest lands and along recreational trails. Rum River State Forest offers multiple roadside pull-offs with established fire rings and ample space for vehicles. The Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite provides access-restricted camping along the Pine River, while Spider Lake Trail features more secluded hike-in sites. Lake Placid Watercraft Site is accessible only by boat, offering true backcountry solitude.

Most dispersed sites in the area lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. According to reviews, Rum River State Forest sites feature "cutoffs on the sides of dirt roads that are deep and have plenty of room" with established fire pits at most locations. Several campers noted that larger RVs and trailers can be accommodated at certain pull-offs, with one reviewer mentioning "no problem" fitting a 37-foot fifth wheel.

Winter access requires four-wheel drive vehicles and careful navigation on unmaintained forest roads. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, with deer, birds, and beaver activity frequently reported. Campers should be prepared for ticks during warm months and occasional wolf howling at night. Cell service varies by location, with recent reports indicating good coverage at Rum River State Forest sites. The North Country Trail provides additional camping options at designated sites like Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp, which features tent pads, fire rings with cooking grates, and nearby latrines.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Baxter, Minnesota (8)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Baxter, MN

10 Reviews of 8 Baxter Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 26, 2024

    Rum River State Forest

    Great place to camp!

    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.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2021

    Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite

    Pristine spot on the Pine River!

    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

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2019

    Rum River State Forest Dispersed

    State forest dispersed camping

    Dispersed 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.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Spider Lake Trail - Dispersed Camping

    Deep in the woods

    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.

  • Johnny H.
    Jan. 25, 2021

    Rum River State Forest Dispersed

    Walking in and roadside camping

    I'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.

  • Brittany
    Sep. 15, 2020

    Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite

    Loved it!

    My 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!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rum River State Forest

    Free parking in solitude.

    No potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park.

  • Ronney P.
    Jul. 8, 2021

    Rum River State Forest Dispersed

    Rum River

    7/7/1921 pull off sites big have a 37 ft fifth wheel no problem nice an quietalot of ticks but had a great time

  • E
    Jul. 28, 2024

    Rum River State Forest Dispersed

    Secluded, Quiet, Good Cell Coverage, Bugd

    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 to Baxter

Dispersed camping options near Baxter, Minnesota extend beyond state forests to include trail-based sites and boat-accessible locations. The area sits amid the transitional forest zone of central Minnesota where northern coniferous forests meet southern deciduous woodlands. Temperatures range from summer highs around 80°F to winter lows frequently below zero, with primitive campsites remaining accessible year-round depending on snow conditions and road maintenance.

What to do

Paddle access camping: The Pine River Water Trail offers numerous camping opportunities for canoeists and kayakers. At Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite, one camper noted it's "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."

Wildlife observation: Spider Lake Trail provides excellent bird watching opportunities in secluded settings. A reviewer at Spider Lake Trail - Dispersed Camping mentioned, "Very quiet, no sounds of vehicles or people. The site is smaller. It does over look a tiny little lake with bird life. Lots of beaver activity as well when circling the near by lake."

Sunrise viewing: Early risers can find perfect spots along the North Country Trail. At Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp, a camper discovered "a superb little spot about 20 yards down the main trail, just off the campsite, that has a cute little boardwalk that would be ideal to sit on with a cup of coffee and watch the colors of the sky change as the sun comes up."

What campers like

Off-grid solitude: Many campers appreciate the minimal development and true wilderness feel. A visitor to Rum River State Forest described it as "Free parking in solitude" and noted there's "no potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park."

Connectivity despite remoteness: Surprisingly good cell service exists at many rustic camping areas near Baxter. One camper at Rum River State Forest Dispersed reported, "The cell service with Verizon is good enough to stream videos and work on your laptop with ease."

Multi-use accessibility: Trails serving multiple recreation types create diverse camping options. A Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite visitor explained, "There are two campsites available, 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."

What you should know

Winter preparations: Cold-weather camping requires specialized gear and caution. One camper at Rum River State Forest Dispersed noted, "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."

Limited facilities: Even designated dispersed sites offer minimal amenities. A Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1 visitor explained it had "a small tent pad and a nice little metal fire ring with a cooking grate that folded up and over if you didn't want to use it to cook on. The latrine was just down an opposing hill."

Noise considerations: Proximity to roads can affect the wilderness experience. A camper at Woodtick Trail mentioned, "Because the site is so close to a main road, I did hear quite a bit of road 'chatter' from the cars all through the night. It wasn't bad if you are used to city sounds, but if you live deep in the heart of nature, it could be a bit of a bother."

Tips for camping with families

Trail-accessible fun: Bike-friendly camping options provide family adventure opportunities. At Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite, a parent shared, "My 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."

Bug protection: Insect preparation is essential for comfortable family camping. A Rum River State Forest visitor warned, "The bugs are not great but that's just what you're going to get in an area like this one."

Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential wildlife sounds and sightings. One solo camper reported, "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."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations vary: Different dispersed sites accommodate various RV sizes. A camper at Moose River ATV - Dispersed Camping described it as "a standard issue dirt lot with a slight incline. Open parking, no sites," suggesting it could accommodate larger vehicles despite limited amenities.

Rum River accessibility: Several pull-offs can handle substantial rigs. A camper reported having "a 37 ft fifth wheel no problem" at one of the Rum River sites.

Level site considerations: Seek established pull-offs rather than attempting to create new ones. A regular visitor noted Rum River State Forest has "cutoffs on the sides of the dirt road. They are deep and have plenty of room. Almost all of them I could see have firepits."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Baxter, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Baxter, MN is Lake Placid Watercraft Site with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Baxter, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Baxter, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.