If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Bovey, look no further. Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
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
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.
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 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
Legend
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bovey, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bovey, 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 Bovey, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Bovey, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
