Dispersed camping opportunities exist near Holyoke, Minnesota, within the surrounding state forests and public lands. The area sits at the southern edge of Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, characterized by mixed hardwood forests and small lakes. Seasonal temperature variations are extreme, with winter lows frequently reaching below zero and summer highs averaging in the mid-70s with high humidity. Camping conditions vary significantly based on recent rainfall, as the clay soil can become waterlogged during wet periods.
What to do
ATV and dirt bike trails: Garfvert Campground in Nemadji State Forest offers extensive trail systems for off-highway vehicles. A camper reports, "My family has stayed here many times to use the dirt bike and atv trails. There is a lot of variety for different levels of difficulty."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes near the camping areas provide fishing options within walking distance. At Grace Lake Road Dispersed, a visitor noted, "You're about 20 foot from the water and fishing is good."
Water activities: Some sites offer lake access for swimming and non-motorized boating. At Bear Lake County Park, one camper shared, "We enjoyed the fishing, hiking, and canoeing (rental from the park)."
Hiking: Forest trails of varying difficulty provide day hiking options. The nearby Schoen Park offers riverfront views, with a visitor commenting, "The reason we like it so much as it's very private and a beautiful view of the river."
What campers like
Privacy at primitive sites: The more remote camping areas allow for a more solitary experience. As one camper at Garfvert noted, "I'd recommend Gafvert if you want a deeper woods experience without many people. Accessible trails, good, flat sizeable spots."
Free camping options: Some dispersed sites in the area have no fees. A Grace Lake visitor mentioned, "This spot was super nice and peaceful! Lots of different dispersed spots."
Water proximity: Many campers appreciate sites with direct lake access. At Cloquet-Duluth KOA, a reviewer noted, "Grounds have a nice mix of RV spots out in the open as well as some RV and tent spots back in the trees with water and electric only sites."
Firewood availability: In state forest campgrounds, collecting downed wood is often permitted. A Garfvert camper reported, "If you are staying here, there is a lot of wood that is available to pick up for fire wood."
What you should know
First-come, first-served limitations: Most primitive sites cannot be reserved. A camper at Garfvert noted, "It was hard to find a campsite because it's first-come-first-serve, but we were able to find a spot closer to the trails."
Seasonal variations: The best tent camping near Holyoke, Minnesota changes with the seasons. Spring brings mud and black flies, while late summer brings fewer insects but potentially more crowded conditions.
Access challenges: Some dispersed sites have limited vehicle access. At Grace Lake Road, a camper advised, "Gate is very narrow had to fold the mirrors on my Tacoma to squeeze through but if you park at the entrance it's a short walk."
Noise considerations: Off-road vehicle traffic creates noise at certain sites. A Grace Lake visitor mentioned, "A lot of ATV traffic but super friendly people, really buggy but a few nice spots to pull into for the night."
Tips for camping with families
Select campgrounds with amenities: When camping with children, established campgrounds provide necessary facilities. A visitor to Cloquet-Duluth KOA shared, "Great family campground with a lot of young kids running around, riding bikes, and playing and dogs in most campsites. Pool is also available."
Day-use parks for activities: Not all recreation areas permit overnight stays. One visitor to Barnum City Park cautioned, "There's a sign that says no camping, and there are no rv spots. Or camp spots at this park."
Rental equipment options: Some parks offer equipment rentals for family activities. At Bear Lake County Park, a camper mentioned, "We enjoyed the fishing, hiking, and canoeing (rental from the park). The sites were on the smaller side but being on the water made up for that."
Timing considerations: Fall offers comfortable temperatures with fewer insects. A Bear Lake visitor noted, "Visiting in the fall was ideal- I bet this place is packed during the summer months!"
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many forest roads have limited clearance and turning areas. A Schoen Park visitor warned, "Don't try to bring any thing to big into here or you will be in trouble. We have a 19' travel trailer and it wasn't a problem but turning around is tight."
Water and utilities: Most sites near Holyoke have minimal or no hookups. Bring sufficient water and expect primitive conditions at most tent camping locations.
Dump station locations: Limited options exist for waste disposal. At Barnum City Park, there is a sanitary dump available, though camping is not permitted at this location.
Access road conditions: Forest roads can deteriorate quickly after rainfall. For Grace Lake dispersed camping, a visitor recommended, "Go down Tamarack Forest Road, which is a little further than the location on here."
