Looking for dispersed camping near Hackensack? Find the best information on dispersed campgrounds near Hackensack, including photos, reviews, and tips. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Hackensack's most popular destinations.
Nestled along the rolling hills of the Shingobee River Valley, the Shingobee Recreation Area provides a variety of summer and winter activities. The area offers 6 miles of trails for hiking, hunting, birdwatching, primitive camping, and cross-country skiing in the heart of Minnesota's Northwoods. A sliding hill and a weekend warming chalet are also available for winter fun.
Canoe in site that is also used by hikers/bikers on the Paul Bunyan Trail. The Paul Bunyan State Trail is 115 miles long, not including a couple of short on-road connections through the cities of Baxter and Bemidji. Extending all the the way from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park, north of Bemidji, it is the longest of Minnesota's state trails and the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country.
From the trailhead at the Waboose Public Boat access (located off of Inner Forest Rd north of CR-2 north of Nevis, MN) head in either direction on the white-blazed trail. The loop features some rolling hills with gentle climbs and many views out onto the scenic lake. The Waboose Lake Loop includes a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT for short), which continues northwest toward CR-91 and east toward State Hwy 64. The NCT portion of the loop is both blue-blazed and white blazed. A spur trail from the loop leads to the primitive campsite on the end of the peninsula with water access, tent pads, fire ring, and a privy. On the southeast side of the lake, you'll find an old-growth pine stand. To see it in its full glory, venture out and back a short ways heading southeast on the two-track road. This road leads out to Akeley Cutoff Forest Rd.
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.
Traveler
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
Traveler
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.
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.
Guide
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!
Legend
This is a beautiful deeply wooded double campsite along the scenic Pine River. It is accessible only by foot, bike or paddle, for trekkers on the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail or the Pine River Water Trail. For paddlers, the campsite is right on the river between River Mile 35 and 36, just south of the town of Pine River. For bikers or hikers, it is about a half mile south down the trail from the Bites Bar and Grill to the turn off west on a dirt trail about a half mile down to the river. There are two campsites avaialble, for separate campers or for a group to encompas the whole camping area. Fire ring, picnic table, tent clearings available. There is no cost to camp here, but also no way to reserve either of the sites, and in accordance to trail etiquette if you show up on your bike or in your canoe ready to camp but someone else is there, they should share the camping space with you.
Map of the water trail is here:
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe\_routes/pine.pdf
General info on the water trail is here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/watertrails/pineriver/index.html
Map of the Paul Bunyan Bike Trail is here: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state\_trails/paulbunyan\_heartland.pdf
General info on the bike trail is here: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state\_trails/paul\_bunyan/index.html
Guide
Located on the North Country Trail. Decent hike to campsite. Surrounded by nature. Campsite has a fire ring and a bench/table. It helped for taking my hiking bag off. Very quiet, no sounds of vehicles or people. Biggest negative is there is no parking lot. Must park on road. Campsite was well taken care of. The site is smaller. It does over look a tiny little lake with bird life. Water is mucky looking, I wouldn’t swim in it. Trail goes through long grass and tall trees. Lots of beaver activity as well when circling the near by lake.
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
GuideMy middle son and I did a bike packing trip on the Paul Bunyon Trail, we rode up from Crow Wing and stayed at this little gem for the night. Got there around 3PM, set up camp and then rode into Pine River for his birthday dinner. The trail in to the site was fun to ride on bike, there was plenty of down wood for a fire and would love to return!
Guide
The campsite was perfect. There is a bench, firepit, latrine and multiple campsites. Very scenic view with the sounds of loons and frogs in the background. I have camped there twice and have never come across another hiker. The hike is fairly short to get there.
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.
LegendWithin 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!
Camping near Hackensack, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful lakes and forests, it’s a perfect spot for families, RVers, and anyone looking to escape into nature.
Camping around Hackensack, Minnesota, has something for everyone. Whether you’re fishing, hiking, or just relaxing, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hackensack, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hackensack, MN is Shingobee Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hackensack, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Hackensack, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
