Top Free Dispersed Camping near Hill City, MN
Want to go dispersed camping near Hill City? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Hill City, MN (9)
1. Hill River State Forest
2 Reviews•4 Photos•14 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
2. Moose River ATV - Dispersed Camping
1 Review•6 Photos•7 SavesDispersed 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.
- Fires
- Dispersed
3. Crazy James Water Trail - Campsite for Paddlers
1 Review•9 Photos•3 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
4. Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite
3 Reviews•17 Photos•30 SavesCanoe 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Group
- Picnic Table
5. Land O’Lakes dispersed camping
Be the first to review!•12 Saves- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
6. Birches Landing on Lake Winni
1 Review•11 Photos•14 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Drinking Water
8. Shingobee Recreation Area
2 Reviews•6 Photos•48 SavesNestled 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.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Toilets
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Hill City
7 Reviews of 9 Hill City Campgrounds
Tracy M.
Guide
Moose River ATV - Dispersed Camping
Dirt Parking Lot
Absolutely nothing interesting about this place. It’s just a standard issue dirt lot with a slight incline. Open parking, no sites.
samuel C.
Ranger
Hill River State Forest
Okay
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.
- SSkip H.Ranger
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.
Legend
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
- Janet R.Legend
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
- BrittanyGuide
Paul Bunyan Trail Canoe Campsite
Loved it!
My 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!
- Janet R.Legend
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.
Guide to Hill City
Camping near Hill City, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Jay Cooke State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The site was nice and secluded but still close to water and bathrooms."
- Fishing: Head to Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground for some fishing. A reviewer said, "This campground has large, nicely spaced sites with lots of mature trees."
- Kayaking: Enjoy calm waters at Scenic State Park Campground. One camper noted, "This is a great park with great facilities and a great lake."
What campers like:
- Privacy: Many campers appreciate the secluded sites. One happy camper at Crow Wing State Park Campground said, "Sites 40 to 45 are very nice and secluded."
- Clean Facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers are a big plus. A visitor at Father Hennepin State Park Campground mentioned, "Good connectivity so easy to work from with decent bathrooms."
- Wildlife: Campers enjoy spotting wildlife. A reviewer at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park shared, "We saw an albino deer on the hiking club trail!"
What you should know:
- Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Savanna Portage State Park Campground warned, "Mosquitoes are brutal here, especially on the hiking club trail."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities. A visitor at Stony Point noted, "They are not mowing the campsites creating a huge mosquito problem."
- Water Access: Not all sites have water hookups. A camper at Gull Lake Recreation Area reminded others, "There are no water hookups at the sites so be sure to fill up when you arrive."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Secluded Sites: Look for sites that offer privacy. A family at Jay Cooke State Park Campground found, "The campsite was perfectly good: nice and spacious overlooking the river."
- Pack Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, so bring bug spray. A camper at Crow Wing State Park Campground advised, "Bring bug spray in the summer!"
- Plan Activities: Keep kids entertained with planned activities. A visitor at Father Hennepin State Park Campground enjoyed the trails and nearby town with grocery stores.
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Leech Lake Recreation Area & Campground said, "My site was spacious for my 28-foot TT."
- Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups. A camper at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park appreciated the amenities, stating, "Nice showers, power, and water."
- Be Mindful of Noise: Some sites can be noisy. A visitor at Scenic State Park Campground mentioned, "The downside to this specific site is that it is close to the group camp so it was pretty noisy."
Camping near Hill City, Minnesota, has something for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying the great outdoors, you'll find plenty to love about this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hill City, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hill City, 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 Hill City, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Hill City, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.