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Best Dispersed Camping near Hackensack, MN

17 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Hackensack area of northern Minnesota, with several free primitive sites available in Paul Bunyan State Forest and surrounding public lands. Shingobee Recreation Area offers accessible camping with sites directly off the road or further down well-maintained trails. According to reviews, this area is particularly suitable for families new to camping, as the North Country Trail passes nearby with "extremely well maintained and groomed, not to mention super wide" trails. Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed sites provide more remote options for those seeking solitude.

Most dispersed sites in the region feature basic amenities such as fire rings and pit toilets, but no potable water. Campers must bring their own water supply or be prepared to filter water from nearby lakes. Several campers noted significant beaver activity in the area, particularly around Little Gulch Lake, making water filtration essential. Forest service roads accessing many sites can be challenging during wet conditions. As one visitor to Camp Cassaway reported, expect "very rough road meaning huge holes, just go slow."

The North Country Trail connects multiple free camping areas, including Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp and Waboose Lake sites. These locations typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most sites. Summer brings mosquitoes and other insects, particularly in densely wooded areas. Winter access remains possible at some locations, with Camp Cassaway noted as being "accessible even in winter" with snow packed enough for two-wheel drive vehicles. For paddlers, the Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite offers "a beautiful deeply wooded double campsite along the scenic Pine River," accessible only by foot, bike, or paddle.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hackensack, Minnesota (19)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hackensack, MN

13 Photos of 19 Hackensack Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hackensack, MN

17 Reviews of 19 Hackensack Campgrounds

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2018

    Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

    Little Gulch is great!

    Within 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!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2020

    Birches Landing on Lake Winni

    One night stop for paddlers only the water trail only

    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.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Crazy James Water Trail - Campsite for Paddlers

    Crazy James landing watercraft campsite

    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

  • Joni Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2025

    Mabel Lake State Dispersed

    Large clearing in the woods

    This is a free dispersed camping site in the state forest with lake access. Large enough for multiple campers or a small group. There are four rings and a picnic table as well as a sandy boat launch.

    ATT is usable enough that I probably won't try Starlink, but there may be enough clear sky.

    The road in is good, but gets narrow after you turn off for the spot.

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2017

    Waboose Lake - Paul Bunyan SF

    Ranger Review of Waboose Lake Camp - Pretty view near the NCT

    This super hidden little gem is fairly new in the last several years. While it's not the fanciest campsite, it's lovely for a quick overnight. It's on a loop around Waboose Lake in Nevis MN, but it's actually a spur off of the North Country Trail. If you care to use it while hiking on the NCT, it's not far off the main NCT trail. Or, if you just want a short overnight experience, there is a parking lot next to the lake. Head out on the white-blazed trail to the LEFT of the parking area and this will get you to the camp the quickest. You can still get there from the right (since the Waboose Trail is a loop), but it will take a little longer to get there. If you head to the right, it's down by the boat landing on the other side of the parking lot.

    The campsite is on a little spur off the main trail. Maybe a hundred yards. The trail is well marked if you watch for the camp sign. There is a lovely little bench (as is typical in this area of campsites on the NCT) with an attached table that sits next to the first fire grate. Then, a bit further up the trail, there is the main fire ring, bench and tent pad. Not even 30 feet down a short slope is super easy access to the water. The tent pad isn't huge, but could easily accommodate a 2 or 3 person tent. Maybe larger if you wanted to try. And there are some great hammock trees too!

    Just down a short trail to the right (before you get to the actual campsite and bench) is a sign that shows you where the pit toilet is. This one is a bit more modest, with a 2 sided fence to shelter you from the trail and anyone passing by.

    As for the trail, since Waboose Lake Loop and the NCT cross over each other, you want to follow the WHITE blazes to stay on the Waboose Loop. Occasionally you will see blue and white blazes on the same tree. That's because the NCT is marked in blue, and again, the two trails join together for a bit before the NCT heads in another direction again. Just keep your eyes open.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 17, 2024

    Hill River State Forest

    Quiet dispersed sites

    You'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.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2021

    Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite

    Pristine spot on the Pine River!

    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

  • Sonny S.
    Aug. 3, 2022

    Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite

    Buggy + No Cell Service

    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!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Spider Lake Trail - Dispersed Camping

    Deep in the woods

    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.

Guide to Hackensack

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hackensack, Minnesota, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities. This area offers unique spots for camping that cater to different preferences, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Hackensack, Minnesota

  • Many dispersed camping spots, like the Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite, allow for campfires and pets, making it a great choice for families and friends looking to enjoy the outdoors together.
  • It's essential to arrive early, especially at popular sites such as the Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite, as these areas can fill up quickly, and reservations are not available.
  • Be prepared for a backcountry experience; sites like Waboose Lake - Paul Bunyan SF offer a more secluded atmosphere, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

Dispersed campers should check out Paul Bunyan State Forest

  • The Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed area is known for its vast landscapes and numerous trails, making it ideal for hiking and exploring the natural beauty of Minnesota.
  • Campers can enjoy the tranquility of nature while staying at sites like the Shingobee Recreation Area, which is surrounded by lush forests and offers a peaceful retreat.
  • For those who enjoy fishing, the Little Gulch Lake canoe campsite provides access to pristine waters, perfect for a day of angling.

Scenic views and activities for dispersed campers

  • The Spider Lake Trail - Dispersed Camping offers a picturesque setting with a small lake, ideal for birdwatching and enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature.
  • Campers looking for a unique experience can visit the Halverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake, which features water access and a fire pit, perfect for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • For those seeking a more rugged experience, the Woodtick Trail Dispersed Camp 1 is nestled deep in the woods, providing a quiet escape from the outside world and a chance to connect with nature.

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 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hackensack, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 dispersed camping locations near Hackensack, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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