Dispersed camping sites near Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota range from watercraft-only locations to drive-up primitive spots, each offering varying levels of accessibility and facilities. Campers can find sites along the Mississippi River Water Trail and on remote lakes throughout the forest. Winter camping options remain accessible at certain locations where forest roads receive enough traffic to pack down snow.
What to do
Paddle the chain of lakes: Little Gulch Lakes in Paul Bunyan State Forest offer excellent paddling opportunities. "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 lake 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."
Fish for smallmouth bass: Lesser-known fishing spots exist throughout the forest's remote lakes. According to one visitor at Little Gulch Lake, "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!"
Follow the North Country Trail: Shingobee Recreation Area provides access to this well-maintained trail. "Because it's on the NCT, the trail that passes the camp is extremely well maintained and groomed, not to mention super wide! If you have little ones that you are trying to 'wean' into camping, this would be a great place to take them to get a feel for the woods."
What campers like
Winter accessibility: Some primitive camping areas remain accessible during colder months. At Camp Cassaway, campers note it was "accessible even in winter. The snow was packed down enough to drive on even with a two wheel drive vehicle."
Lake views from campsites: Waterfront sites provide direct access to scenic lakes. At D29 dispersed site, visitors appreciate "a nice fire ring on the beach, tent pad and parking spot" and being able to "park directly in front of a lake on a beautiful night."
Protection from elements: Sheltered sites offer refuge during adverse weather. According to one paddler at Crazy James Water Trail 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."
What you should know
Seasonal insect considerations: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in certain sites. At Little Gulch Lake, one camper reported, "It is extremely buggy and there's a large wasp nest/tunnel system on the ground near the fire pit."
Water access challenges: Many sites require filtering lake water or bringing your own. At Little Gulch Lake campsite, "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 jug or plan to boil or filter the nearby lake water as there is a lot of beaver activity in the area."
Road conditions vary: Access roads to remote sites can be challenging. At Upper Pigeon Lake, "The road off of county Rd 33 (Dixon lake Rd) is short but unmaintained and the end of it has a good bit of uneven, sandy slope. I would not recommend it if you have low clearance or are not confident in maneuvering your vehicle/trailer."
Tips for camping with families
Consider ease of access: Look for sites with minimal hiking required for younger children. Shingobee Recreation Area offers family-friendly options where "This free site is a very short walk from a parking area/trailhead."
Choose larger sites for multiple tents: Some areas accommodate family groups better than others. At Shingobee, "Across the trail (directly across from the camp) is a small little meadow type area that would be a perfect spot for 'overflow' tents, if you have more in your group than the site can take."
Utilize winter recreation options: Cross-country skiing trails connect to some camping areas. One camper noted Shingobee "would be a great winter camping site, as it's more sheltered in the trees than some sites are. Plus in the winter, this trail is groomed for Cross Country Skiing, so it would be super accessible as a camp if you were skiing."
Tips from RVers
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies widely throughout primitive camping areas. At Mabel Lake State Dispersed, "ATT is usable enough that I probably won't try Starlink, but there may be enough clear sky."
Overflow camping capacity: Multiple vehicles can fit at some larger sites. Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed camping area is described as a "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."
Beach access for RVs: Some sites allow backing directly to water. At Mabel Lake, "I was able to back to the water to have a gorgeous view from bed! It was so quiet last night, although the beaked neighbors get pretty chatty early."
