Dispersed camping options can be found near Elk River, Minnesota at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, where free primitive sites are available along gravel roads. The region includes a mix of established campgrounds like Ann Lake in Sand Dunes State Forest and Mississippi Riverwood RV Park, plus several developed facilities within an hour's drive of the Twin Cities. Most camping areas accommodate tents and RVs, with some locations like Lake Maria State Park and Bunker Hills Regional Park also offering cabin rentals.
Camping in the Sand Dunes State Forest area operates primarily on a first-come, first-served basis for standard sites, though group and equestrian sites may accept reservations. Road conditions vary throughout the region, with some areas requiring careful navigation. As one camper noted, "There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly." Water availability differs between campgrounds, with established sites typically providing potable water, while dispersed camping areas require bringing your own supplies. Cell service can be unreliable in certain locations, especially in the forest areas. Most developed campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from spring through fall, with peak season running May through October.
Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere of Sand Dunes State Forest despite occasional traffic on forest roads. A visitor commented that it's "quiet and serene once side roads thin out," making it popular for those seeking solitude close to the metropolitan area. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with bird watching particularly noted at several locations. Sand Dunes State Forest receives consistent praise for its swimming beach and hiking trails, though visitors should be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks during summer months. The proximity to the Twin Cities makes these camping areas popular weekend destinations, with more remote sites filling quickly during peak summer weekends and holidays. Mixed-use campgrounds like Crow Hassan Park Reserve accommodate equestrian camping with specialized facilities including horse stalls and hitching lines.
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
"Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice . Found a tucked away site that we could park Infront of for more privacy"
$22 - $80 / night
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
"For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn’t expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly."
"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."
$21 - $29 / night
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
$20 - $32 / night
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
"The site was spacious and private-surrounded on 3 sides by trees. The bathrooms were clean. The pool area was clean and without issue."
"Sites are close to each other, but easy access, clean grounds and facilities, friendly staff, and a K9 fenced area for a pet friendly campground."
$15 / night
"Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer."
"I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"
$40 - $75 / night
"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
"Meadow setting where the campsites are, but then TONS of hiking trails with significant trees& shade. Really beautiful. Nice people staying in adjacent sites. We would return."
"There was some suggestion that there was some drive in sites that were not reservable, that is. They were first come first serve. But I was unaware or unable to find those."
TravelerWe stayed here with a group of hot tent campers in early January. The site is large and had a couple of fire pits. Includes a few picnic tables, and a pit toilet. It's a beautiful open area not far from the parking lot with a gorgeous view of the St. Croix River.
ScoutWe visited Avatan Nudist Campground last July with our two kids (ages 8 and 11) for what was supposed to be a wholesome, body-positive family getaway. The website and brochures paint a perfect picture: serene woods, a sparkling pool, family activities, and a "welcoming community" vibe. And on the surface? Yeah, the grounds are stunning—pristine trails, a well-maintained pool. The facilities are clean, the staff (mostly) polite, and the natural setting is genuinely relaxing. If you're just looking for a quiet spot to shed your clothes and unwind in nature, it checks those boxes.
But dig a little deeper, and Avatan reveals itself as something else entirely—a place that's quietly optimized for adult fun, with kids as an inconvenient footnote they have to tolerate to keep the "family" label. From the moment we arrived, it was clear the real energy was elsewhere. Evenings around the fire pits and at the "Squirrel's" (code for the bar area) had this unmistakable swinger-party undercurrent. Lots of lingering glances, couples disappearing into the woods or private cabins, and a vibe that felt more like a discreet resort for the lifestyle crowd than a spot for building sandcastles with the little ones. Our kids picked up on it fast—whispers about "grown-up games" and awkward questions we had to deflect. The camp "tolerates" families, sure, but it's obvious the core membership would prefer a child-free zone. Activities for kids are minimal: a basic playground and the occasional nature hike, while the adults get themed nights, "sensual yoga," and late-night mixers that go until dawn.
What really soured the experience was the toxic underbelly of the community itself. This place is a powder keg of power struggles, with a small cadre of long-time board members and "elders" locked in a perpetual cold war. Gossip flows like the creek itself—endless whispers about who's sleeping with whom, who's "stealing" prime cabin spots, or who's cozying up to the President for favors. We overheard more drama in one week than in a season of reality TV. Cliques form fast: the "party crew" vs. the "purists," the swingers vs. the swingers-who-pretend-they're-not. As newcomers (and parents, no less), we felt like outsiders crashing a private club. Smiles were surface-level; the second you stepped away, the backstabbing started.
And then there's the elephant in the (clothing-optional) room: the camp's ugly history with sexual predators. We didn't know it going in, but after a few days, the stories trickled out from sympathetic members—multiple incidents over the years involving members who turned out to be registered offenders or worse, preying on the vulnerable in this "trust-based" environment. The rules around anonymity are ironclad: no photos, no last names, "what happens at Avatan stays at Avatan." It's sold as protecting privacy in a nudist space, which sounds noble until you realize it shields the creeps. Anyone who dares speak up—whether it's a parent noticing a sketchy guy lingering too long near the kids' area or a survivor sharing a red flag—is immediately branded a "troublemaker," "paranoid," or "anti-community." We've heard of families getting shamed in group meetings, then quietly asked to leave for "disrupting the harmony." Evictions happen fast if you rock the boat, all in the name of keeping the peace and the paying members happy.
Look, we're no prudes. Nudism can be liberating, and we've been to other resorts where it felt truly inclusive and safe. But Avatan? It's a divided house built on denial. The adult-party atmosphere thrives because the kids are an afterthought, and the predator problem festers because calling it out gets you exiled. If you're a child-free couple into the full swinger scene, this might be your paradise—plenty of like-minded folks and zero judgment. But if you're a family hoping for that advertised "safe, empowering space"? Steer clear. Your kids deserve better than being tolerated in a place where silence is golden and the wrong questions get you blacklisted. We won't be back, and I hope this review saves someone else the regret.
RangerSo, I think you know what you are signing up for here when you stay camp at the backpacking site at Afton, but let me fill in some of the blanks. #1 yes, the hill climb is as big of an effort as other people have said. You will feel like you earned your dinner. I may have found a hack for this, but more in that later. #2 the site are mostly private. I stayed on site #12. I could see (and they could have seen me) site #9, but thankfully no one was there. That would have been a bummer to have other looking into my site. There is even a semi-worn path between 12 and 9. They would make a good combo if you have a group. Other than that, totally secluded. As far space at #12, you could build as big of a tent structure there as you would need, easily room for a massive 16’x24’ palace (if you would dare to carry it) or anything smaller. An Eagle Scout project built hammock posts at this site, so it is ideal for that set up. #3 the campground amenities are very nice. The solar powered water works great year round, the two pits toilets (if you can even call them that) are very new and nice. And the coolest campground feature is the cut your own firewood station. I went a little overboard since it was so nice and had a way bigger fire than I needed. Bring your own saw and you will love it too. #4 After walking around the park, I discovered a possible hack. There is an unmarked entrance to the park on the north side. Instead of walking all my gear back to the parking lot, I walked the .5 miles to the service entrance, dropped my pack, and then walked the 1.8 miles back to the parking lot. I tend to carry too much. The flat short walk to drop my gear was worth it. Then I drop around the park and picked up my stuff. Probably not MN DNR endorsed way to do it, but I was proud of my discovery. All in, this is a unique and wonderful camping experience. Highly recommend.
TravelerIf you’re just passing through especially in the off-season, this is an extremely convenient location. Propane run out in the middle of the night? They got you. Need more beer? They got you. 10/10 if you just need a place to sleep. View is irrelevant
GuideNice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It’s right off a busy road, so you’ll hear some traffic noise. The hunters were out during my stay, so there were gunshots throughout the day, but that’s to be expected this time of year. Overall, a good spot for a quick overnight stay and it’s conveniently close to the cities.
RangerI was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
GuideThey have two lots for RV and travel trailer use although the first lot only has two spaces and the second one has a total of five. The five space spot has no water or electric hook up but was a great place for me to test out my new solar set up. Word to the wise, gates ACTUALLY close at 10pm, there's no way to contact anyone and I had to walk about a mile in parked outside the gate 😅. The White Pine lot (5 spaces) has a central bathroom/shower building. The park was jam packed Friday/Saturday but a ghosts town the remains sun/mon/tue I stayed.
ScoutFor our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!
TravelerNever again, $81 for an electric only site. Come on Wisconsin let's jab the out of .staters. Entry fee to parks, extra for out of staters. The site was secluded but not close to level. Not close to the facilities. I am going back to SD. They don't add fees because you are from out of town, they actually encourage out of state tourists. Last trip to a Wisconsin state park . And the showers were closed for the season, this is 10/9/25. But still full price and just an electric only site. No thanks Wisconsin
Dispersed camping near Elk River, Minnesota offers free options south of Sand Dunes State Forest where primitive sites can be found along gravel roads. The region sits at approximately 945 feet above sea level in the Mississippi River Valley, with a humid continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Peak camping season runs May through October when temperatures average 65-85°F during daytime, though sites remain accessible year-round with proper preparation.
Hiking through diverse landscapes: Lake Maria State Park features wooded trails and lake views perfect for day hikes. "Very pretty! This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," notes Lydia N.
Swimming and water activities: Bertram Chain of Lakes Regional Park Campground provides lake access for swimming and fishing. The park features "TONS of hiking trails with significant trees and shade. Really beautiful," according to Kathy L. The trail system around the lakes works well for both hiking and biking.
Trail riding for equestrians: At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, horseback riders can enjoy dedicated trails and camping areas. "The barn stalls are available for use, otherwise there are overhead horse hitch lines," explains Krista T., adding that "this campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in."
Private, wooded tent sites: Campers consistently praise the seclusion at Ann Lake in Sand Dunes State Forest. "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth," shares Kari P. The campground features both drive-up sites and walk-in options for those seeking more seclusion.
Easy accessibility for quick getaways: Located just an hour from the Twin Cities, many campgrounds in the area serve as perfect weekend escapes. "Just a quick one night trip but a perfect getaway close to home. Very quiet. Camp host was nice," reports Caleb T. about his stay at Ann Lake.
Off-grid experience with limited connectivity: South of Sand Dunes State Forest offers a true disconnection. "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," says Joslyn H., highlighting the accessibility of these primitive sites despite their rustic nature.
Bug preparedness is essential: Mosquitoes and ticks are abundant, particularly in summer months. "When we pulled up to the parking lot we knew we were in trouble. The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon," describes Steph H. about their experience at Lake Maria State Park, emphasizing the importance of proper repellent.
Poison ivy awareness: South of Sand Dunes State Forest and surrounding areas have significant poison ivy growth. According to Andy L., at Ann Lake, "Sites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly."
Road conditions vary significantly: Many access roads to dispersed camping areas are unpaved and can be challenging after rain. "Couple vehicles pass a day. Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack," warns Heather W. about wildlife encounters in the area.
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve offers facilities that appeal to families. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," notes Bryan S. The campground includes clean bathrooms and shower facilities.
Consider camper cabins for easier family outings: For families new to camping, several parks offer cabin rentals. "Grew up nextdoor to this park! Spent a lot of my childhood playing and exploring this park! It wasn't till a few years ago that I actually stayed and camped overnight," shares Alison O. about Baker Park Reserve.
Choose established campgrounds for first-time campers: Sites with amenities make family camping more comfortable. "We went with a ground of friends (all families with young kids). It was the perfect place to easily get in, set up, hangout, and just relax," reports Jennifer H.
Site selection is crucial: At Minneapolis Northwest KOA, RV sites vary in quality and privacy. "Nice hosts. Nice sites. Trees and level sites. Bigger than I thought," notes Dave H., highlighting the importance of researching specific sites before booking.
Utility hookup availability: Most established campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. "The sites are well maintained. The staff is very kind and accommodating. There are a few restaurants around that deliver. Great spot," comments Justin R. about the KOA, pointing to the conveniences available.
Limited big-rig access at primitive sites: Many dispersed camping areas have size restrictions. "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," advises Skip H. regarding South of Sand Dunes State Forest, warning larger rigs to stick to established campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Elk River, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, Elk River, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 123 campgrounds and RV parks near Elk River, MN and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Elk River, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Elk River, MN is Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest with a 4.2-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Elk River, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Elk River, MN.
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