South of Sand Dunes State Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities with sandy terrain and scattered pine stands approximately one hour northwest of Bloomington, Minnesota. The forest contains multiple ecosystems including wetlands, oak savannas, and pine plantations. Significant wildlife populations inhabit the area, with white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species commonly sighted during camping trips.
What to do
Hammock camping options: The combination of pine stands and sandy clearings creates ideal hammock setups throughout the forest. "I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock," notes Joslyn H..
Bird watching opportunities: The diverse habitats support extensive bird populations, particularly during migration seasons. "This is a nice quiet area... lots of different bird sounds," reports Jason B., with sandhill cranes being territorial residents during spring and summer months.
Vehicle-based exploration: Forest roads provide routes for day trips beyond camping areas. "The road goes for a long ways, I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer," mentions Samuel C., though some side roads may be closed to motor vehicles.
What campers like
Proximity to urban areas: The forest's location makes it ideal for quick weekend trips without extensive travel time. "I love that it's so close to home," emphasizes a regular visitor, while another camper notes it provides true backcountry camping experience despite being near highways.
Availability of camping spots: Multiple pull-off sites along forest roads accommodate different camping setups. "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," states Skip H..
Midweek solitude: Traffic levels vary considerably between weekends and weekdays. "Came back on a warm weekend. A bit more traffic, but after 12 p.m., not much of anything," notes a returning camper who found weekdays particularly peaceful.
What you should know
Vehicle traffic concerns: Some forest roads experience significant traffic with safety implications. "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," cautions Ryan P..
Law enforcement interactions: Campers report mixed experiences with local authorities. "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," shares one RV camper.
Territorial wildlife: Some native species require appropriate distancing. "Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack," warns Heather W..
Tips for camping with families
Site selection priorities: Families benefit from choosing campsites away from main roads due to traffic concerns. "For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot... I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer," recommends a visitor.
Dog considerations: The area accommodates pets, but loose dogs may be an issue. "Saw lots of dogs, and mine had a blast, even had what seemed to be a stray husky quickly roll through camp around dusk. Something to keep on your mind," notes one camper with pets.
Insect preparation: Family camping requires thorough preparation for mosquitoes during summer months. "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," shares Gregory.
Tips from RVers
Height restrictions: Tree coverage limits access for taller vehicles at many sites. "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," cautions an RV camper.
Trailer accessibility: Small trailers can access select areas, but options are limited. "One pull through area that I found... There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly," explains a camper who surveyed the forest roads extensively.
Overnight simplicity: The area works well for simple overnight stays in appropriate vehicles. "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," shares Adam W..
