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Best Dispersed Camping near Bemidji, MN

11 Reviews

Paul Bunyan State Forest offers several free dispersed camping options within an hour's drive of Bemidji. Most sites are primitive with fire rings but minimal amenities. Shingobee Recreation Area provides drive-in access with picnic tables and vault toilets, while sites like Camp Cassaway and D57 Upper Pigeon Lake offer direct lake access. Waboose Lake requires a short hike and features a bench, fire pit, and latrine, with one visitor noting "the campsite was perfect...with the sounds of loons and frogs in the background."

Several water-accessible backcountry campsites serve paddlers along the Mississippi Headwaters Water Trail and chain lakes. Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite includes a picnic table and pit toilet on "a lovely peninsula on the north side of the lake." Birches Landing on Lake Winni provides a shelter for paddlers when conditions on the lake become dangerous. Most forest roads are seasonal, with several reviewers noting they become impassable during winter months or after heavy rainfall. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, so check local regulations before planning your trip.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Bemidji, Minnesota (13)

    1. Camp Cassaway Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cass Lake, MN
    18 miles
    Website

    "It was accessible even in winter. The snow was packed down enough to drive on even with a two wheel drive vehicle."

    2. Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

    2 Reviews
    Laporte, MN
    21 miles
    Website

    "dispersed campsites for those who want a back country experience not too far off the beaten path."

    3. Halverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake

    1 Review
    Laporte, MN
    22 miles

    "Very nice area with a water access, fire pit and outhouse. About a 10-15 min drive from main road and there are more campsites to find further in"

    4. Waboose Lake - Paul Bunyan SF

    2 Reviews
    Akeley, MN
    29 miles
    Website

    "It's on a loop around Waboose Lake in Nevis MN, but it's actually a spur off of the North Country Trail. If you care to use it while hiking on the NCT, it's not far off the main NCT trail."

    5. Shingobee Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Walker, MN
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 335-8600

    "You can park overnight in the lot by the trailheads in your RV to camp or you can hike in. There is a campsite directly off the road or more down the trails."

    "The North Country Trail passes by this site and most sites on the NCT are free! (except for some that are in State Parks, etc). This free site is a very short walk from a parking area/trailhead."

    6. Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed

    1 Review
    Akeley, MN
    29 miles

    "Very large easy to access camping area. Could easily get 4-5 campers in this one. It is a bit rocky and not extremely level but open and better for less bugs."

    7. D57 Upper Pigeon Lake

    1 Review
    Wirt, MN
    34 miles

    "This is a very nice dispersed site with a fire ring, 2 picnic tables, a level parking spot that is at least 35ft long, and a boat launch into upper pigeon lake."

    8. Birches Landing on Lake Winni

    1 Review
    Chippewa National Forest, MN
    35 miles
    Website

    "This is a US Forest Service Boating area on Lake Winnie in the Chippewa National Forest. It is primarily set up as a boat and canoe landing, with large beautiful group picnic area as well."

    9. D29 dispersed site

    1 Review
    Deer River, MN
    37 miles

    "Literally right between the road and lake winnibigoshish. Really beautiful spot. There is a fire ring on the "beach" and one next to the tent pads."

    10. Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1

    1 Review
    Hackensack, MN
    37 miles
    Website

    "It was a spur of the moment decision to stay at Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1 on the North Country Trail for my first solo hiking experience!"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Bemidji, MN

7 Photos of 13 Bemidji Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bemidji, MN

11 Reviews of 13 Bemidji Campgrounds

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2018

    Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

    Little Gulch is great!

    Within the Paul Bunyan State Forest, there are several official state forest campgrounds, individual hike-in primitive campsites (such as along the North Country Scenic Trail) and also various official dispersed campsites for those who want a back country experience not too far off the beaten path.

    Just north and west of the official Group campsite at Lake 21 is a lovely chain of lakes called the Little Gulch Lakes that are perfect for paddling. See this link for a state forest map of the area: the campsite is located by the canoe landing symbol off West Gulch Road:

    https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00038.pdf

    The lakes are clear and pristine, and far from crowds although within an easy drive of Akely, Bemidji, Itasca and Park Rapids. This is a great destination for canoeing or kayaking from ale to lake, all along a unique glacial moraine with deep quiet forests, plenty of wildlife, and crystal clear water in narrow but very deep glacial lakes. The canoe landing at Second Little Gulch has not only a nice access for non motorized craft, but also has a little known but really lovely primitive campsite that could accomodate several small groups. Best for camping, it would have room for a small trailer or two to drive in, but of course there are no hook ups of any kind as this is a backcountry location. There is a pit toilet, many good tent sites, and a picnic area, all on a lovely peninsula on the north side of the lake. You can easily drive to this location on back forest roads, though note that these roads are closed in winter and spring.

    There is no well or pump or other water source at this campsite, and though the water is basically clear and clean you should either bring your own water jus or plan to boil or filter the nearby lake water as there is a lot of beaver activity in the area.

    You can do some hiking along the quiet forest service roads nearby, paddle the chain of lakes, or go fishing. The lakes are not heavily fished, but they are not regularly stocked by the DNR either. It may be of interest for those fishing that the substrate of these lakes favors small mouth bass, which are fun to angle for but are fairly uncommon for this neck of the woods!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2020

    Birches Landing on Lake Winni

    One night stop for paddlers only the water trail only

    This is a US Forest Service Boating area on Lake Winnie in the Chippewa National Forest. It is primarily set up as a boat and canoe landing, with large beautiful group picnic area as well. However, it is also a stop at the Mississippi Headwaters Water Trail, and is a canoe stopover spot. At times, the winds and storms on Lake Winnie are very dangerous, and paddlers are not able to get further up the point to the Tamarack Point campsites, or around the point to the Winnie Dam camground. Under those conitions, it would be dangerous to go further, and paddlers may stay here for the night. Bathrooms, plenty of tent space, easy landing and launching for canoes and kayaks as well as boats, new picnnic shelters, great place for paddlers to shelter.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Crazy James Water Trail - Campsite for Paddlers

    Crazy James landing watercraft campsite

    This is a paddle-in only campsite within the Chippewa National Forest, and is an official campsite on the Mississippi River State Water Trail in Minnesota. It is located downstream from the Lake Winnie Dam, and is a good place to stay after portaging the dam if you dont want to stay at the Winnie Dam Campground. It is located near upper River mile 1225, on the left side of the river. The access point appears very overgrown from the river, but look for the brown watercraft campsite sign with the yellow canoe, and if you land at that point you will see a mall trail that leads to wooden timbered steps up to the campsite. There is a nice view over the river here, and a bit of a breeze, which is especially good in early summer when bugs are bad. This is a typical water access only campsite for paddlers on the water trail, and includes the basic such as picnic table, fire ring, and pit toilet. There is no potable water water avaialble here, so be prepared. There is room for several tents, so a small group could camp here. 

    The next watercraft campsite is downs stream quite a few miles, so if you are passing mid in the afternoon it might be good to stop here. The next recommended campsite is at Gambler's Point, the previous campsites on Lake Winnie include Lake Winnie Dam and Tamarack Point.

    If you are a through paddler on an extended trip you may already have maps and water trail info, but if not, check out these links: 

    Info for camping at watercraft campsites: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/watercraft-campsites.html info and maps for all of Minnesota state water trails: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/index.html map for Mississippi River State Water Trail: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/mississippiriver/index.html section map on which Crazy James landing is located, just upstream from River Mile 1225: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe\_routes/mississippi2.pdf

  • Joni Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Mabel Lake State Dispersed

    Large clearing in the woods

    This is a free dispersed camping site in the state forest with lake access. Large enough for multiple campers or a small group. There are four rings and a picnic table as well as a sandy boat launch.

    ATT is usable enough that I probably won't try Starlink, but there may be enough clear sky.

    The road in is good, but gets narrow after you turn off for the spot.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2017

    Waboose Lake - Paul Bunyan SF

    Ranger Review of Waboose Lake Camp - Pretty view near the NCT

    This super hidden little gem is fairly new in the last several years. While it's not the fanciest campsite, it's lovely for a quick overnight. It's on a loop around Waboose Lake in Nevis MN, but it's actually a spur off of the North Country Trail. If you care to use it while hiking on the NCT, it's not far off the main NCT trail. Or, if you just want a short overnight experience, there is a parking lot next to the lake. Head out on the white-blazed trail to the LEFT of the parking area and this will get you to the camp the quickest. You can still get there from the right (since the Waboose Trail is a loop), but it will take a little longer to get there. If you head to the right, it's down by the boat landing on the other side of the parking lot.

    The campsite is on a little spur off the main trail. Maybe a hundred yards. The trail is well marked if you watch for the camp sign. There is a lovely little bench (as is typical in this area of campsites on the NCT) with an attached table that sits next to the first fire grate. Then, a bit further up the trail, there is the main fire ring, bench and tent pad. Not even 30 feet down a short slope is super easy access to the water. The tent pad isn't huge, but could easily accommodate a 2 or 3 person tent. Maybe larger if you wanted to try. And there are some great hammock trees too!

    Just down a short trail to the right (before you get to the actual campsite and bench) is a sign that shows you where the pit toilet is. This one is a bit more modest, with a 2 sided fence to shelter you from the trail and anyone passing by.

    As for the trail, since Waboose Lake Loop and the NCT cross over each other, you want to follow the WHITE blazes to stay on the Waboose Loop. Occasionally you will see blue and white blazes on the same tree. That's because the NCT is marked in blue, and again, the two trails join together for a bit before the NCT heads in another direction again. Just keep your eyes open.

  • Sonny S.
    Aug. 3, 2022

    Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

    Buggy + No Cell Service

    This camp site is a few miles away from the rest of the campgrounds and the picnic area as well as a forrest trail. It is extremely buggy and there’s a large wasp nest/ tunnel system on the ground near the fire pit. The fire pit is a classic rock ring. There is also a vault toilet and a picnic table. There’s only room for one group to camp here so if you get there early it’s pretty secluded except for a few drivers who come by to see if the spot is open. The entrance to the lake may be nice for a kayak or canoe but definitely not something you would walk into or swim in. I have verizon and there is no cell service at this sight. There were some bars closer to where you drive in but still nothing great. It was okay for the night but not the best dispersed campsite i’ve been too!

  • Lydia N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 24, 2025

    Camp Cassaway Dispersed

    Windy but quiet

    Nice quiet spot out of the way. It was accessible even in winter. The snow was packed down enough to drive on even with a two wheel drive vehicle.

  • Kaleigh F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Halverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake

    Had an amazing time here!

    Very nice area with a water access, fire pit and outhouse. About a 10-15 min drive from main road and there are more campsites to find further in

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2024

    Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed

    Large drive in camping spot

    Very large easy to access camping area. Could easily get 4-5 campers in this one. It is a bit rocky and not extremely level but open and better for less bugs. ATV trail leads right off camping area.

Guide to Bemidji

Dispersed camping near Bemidji, Minnesota, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature without the crowds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy the tranquility of the great outdoors while exploring the scenic beauty of the area.

Dispersed campers should check out Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

  • This site is perfect for those seeking a secluded experience, as it accommodates only one group at a time, allowing for a peaceful night under the stars. Check it out here.
  • Located within the Paul Bunyan State Forest, the area is ideal for paddling and offers stunning views of the surrounding glacial lakes.
  • Be prepared for a few bugs, as the site is known for its buggy conditions, but the natural beauty makes it worth the visit.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Bemidji, Minnesota

  • Consider visiting Halverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake, which is easily accessible and features a water access point, making it great for fishing or kayaking.
  • Always bring your own water, as many dispersed sites, including Waboose Lake - Paul Bunyan SF, do not have drinking water available.
  • Pack out what you pack in, as sites like Camp Cassaway Dispersed lack trash disposal facilities, ensuring the area remains pristine for future visitors.

Enjoy fishing while free camping near Bemidji

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Bemidji?

Dispersed camping sites around Bemidji typically offer minimal amenities, emphasizing a true wilderness experience. Mabel Lake State Dispersed provides fire rings, picnic tables, and a sandy boat launch. D57 Upper Pigeon Lake features fire rings, two picnic tables, and a boat launch with level parking suitable for larger vehicles. Some dispersed sites have basic vault toilets, but most don't offer running water, electricity, or garbage services. Cell coverage varies by location, with ATT service available at some sites. Be prepared to bring your own water or filtration system, pack out all trash, and have appropriate sanitation supplies. These sites are ideal for self-sufficient campers who value solitude and natural surroundings over conveniences.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bemidji, MN?

The Bemidji area offers several free dispersed camping options. Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed provides numerous primitive sites for backcountry camping experiences. In the Chippewa National Forest, Shingobee Recreation Area allows free overnight parking and hiking to nearby campsites. Many sites are accessible by vehicle, while others require hiking or paddling. Look for established fire rings that indicate designated dispersed camping areas. Most dispersed sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so having backup locations is recommended, especially during peak season. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and check current regulations with the local ranger station before your trip.

When is the best season for dispersed camping in the Bemidji area?

Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the best conditions for dispersed camping around Bemidji. Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite is particularly pleasant in late May when temperatures are comfortable. Waboose Lake - Paul Bunyan SF is ideal for summer quick overnights. Be aware that late spring and summer can bring significant mosquito and tick activity, so proper insect protection is essential. Mid-summer provides the warmest temperatures and longest daylight hours for outdoor activities. Early fall brings colorful foliage and fewer insects. Winter camping is possible for experienced adventurers but requires specialized cold-weather gear and careful planning. Road conditions to remote sites can deteriorate during spring thaw or after heavy rains.

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