Best Dispersed Camping near Lanesboro, MN

Lanesboro, Minnesota sits within the scenic Driftless Area, offering diverse camping experiences through the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest and along the Root River. The region features primarily dispersed camping options, with several sites requiring hiking or water access. Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit provides free camping with basic amenities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets. The Root River Canoe Campsite offers primitive camping accessible by boat, bike, or foot, while Crater Island across the Wisconsin border provides boat-in camping opportunities for those seeking water-based adventures.

Camping access varies significantly by site and season throughout the Lanesboro area. Many locations require physical effort to reach, with some demanding steep hikes. As one visitor noted, "The hike up the hill to the overlook is a daunting one. We used a collapsible wagon to haul all the supplies up the hill." Most dispersed sites in the region are free but offer minimal amenities. The Root River Canoe Campsite has evolved over time, with a camper reporting, "The river changed course and is further away than it once was. There is a bike trail that had a fork in the road that leads right to it." Weather conditions can impact accessibility, particularly for boat-in sites like Crater Island, where dredging operations occasionally close the area.

Campers consistently praise the scenic views available from elevated sites in the region. The Richard J. Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit receives high ratings for its "beautiful hikes overlooking the driftless and Mississippi," though visitors should note the "steep [trails] with drop offs" that may challenge those with fear of heights. Water-based camping experiences vary widely in atmosphere. Crater Island tends to attract "big parties in the cove" during summer weekends, creating a more social environment. In contrast, the Root River Canoe Campsite offers a quieter experience, with one visitor noting it "doesn't seem like people really camp here anymore" despite having basic amenities like "a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring." Most sites accommodate tent camping only, with limited or no facilities for RVs.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Lanesboro, Minnesota (5)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lanesboro, MN

2 Photos of 5 Lanesboro Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lanesboro, MN

5 Reviews of 5 Lanesboro Campgrounds


  • Michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2022

    Root River Canoe Campsite

    Old Boy Scout Campsite

    This was used and built by Boy Scouts ages ago. It’s still exist, however the river changed course and is further away than it once was. There is a bike trail that had a fork in the road that leads right to it someone could walk, hike, canoe or kayak to access this campground. I haven’t camped here since the 90’s, but have visited it in the last 5 years via bike, walking, and kayak. It’s free to stay here, and doesn’t seem like people really camp here anymore. Has a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring. Ideal for tent camping via bike, kayak or canoe.

  • Stephanie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2020

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Best Hike In sites around

    The hike up the hill to the overlook is a daunting one. We used a collapsible wagon to haul all the supplies up the hill. There are two hike in sites here at overlooks that give spectacular views. The site has a shelter for the tent as well as other places outside for it. A fire spot and picnic table. Worth the hike.

  • Michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2022

    Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful hikes overlooking the driftless and Mississippi

    This is an awesome place to hike, not a very long hike but it’s steep with drop offs. Not for those that are scared of heights.

    This is a hike in camping spot, camp spots are not well marked I stayed in the old rock Cory when I camped here, years ago.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • Michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Crater Island

    Great place for camping via Boat

    Big parties in the cove. No bathrooms no showers, just sand and water. Very busy on weekends in the summer, as long as there is no dredging operations going on, otherwise it’s closed. If it is closed, there are plenty of islands and beaches near by to set up for camping.


Guide to Lanesboro

Dispersed camping near Lanesboro, Minnesota offers opportunities for solitude within the unique geological formations of the Driftless Area, characterized by deep river valleys and limestone bluffs untouched by glacial flattening. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Fall camping is particularly popular when hardwood forests display vibrant colors and temperatures range from 45-65°F during the day.

What to do

Hike challenging terrain: Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit features steep trails with significant elevation changes. "This is an awesome place to hike, not a very long hike but it's steep with drop offs. Not for those that are scared of heights," notes visitor Michael V. The unmarked campsites reward hikers with panoramic views of the Mississippi River valley.

Bike-accessible camping: The Root River State Trail connects to several primitive campsites. The Root River Canoe Campsite can be reached via a fork in the bike trail, making it suitable for cyclists. As Michael V. explains, "Someone could walk, hike, canoe or kayak to access this campground... Ideal for tent camping via bike, kayak or canoe."

Paddle to island sites: During summer months when water levels permit, boaters can access Crater Island for a unique camping experience. "Just sand and water. Very busy on weekends in the summer, as long as there is no dredging operations going on, otherwise it's closed," reports a visitor. The surrounding area offers alternative beaches and islands if the main site is unavailable.

What campers like

Accessible car camping options: Not all sites require strenuous hikes. Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit offers drive-up sites for those preferring convenience. "There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter," writes Demeri C.

Functional shelters: Some sites at Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest include basic infrastructure that enhances the camping experience. Stephanie K. notes that one site "has a shelter for the tent as well as other places outside for it. A fire spot and picnic table."

Trail access for evening walks: The proximity to established trail systems allows for post-setup exploration. One camper mentioned, "I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed," highlighting the accessibility of recreational options even for tired travelers.

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Access to Zumbro Bottoms State Forest requires navigating low-maintenance dirt roads. T.S. advises, "It is best to come in from the south as sometimes the gate on the river bridge to the north is closed."

River changes affect site access: Historical water access points may have changed. At Root River Canoe Campsite, "the river changed course and is further away than it once was," according to a recent visitor, meaning water travelers may need to walk further than expected.

Limited facilities: Dispersed sites throughout the Driftless Area provide minimal amenities. While some sites like Root River Canoe Campsite have "a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring," others offer no facilities whatsoever. Crater Island has "no bathrooms no showers, just sand and water."

Seasonal closures: Dredging operations occasionally close Crater Island. When planning boat-in camping, have backup locations identified. As one visitor notes, "If it is closed, there are plenty of islands and beaches near by to set up for camping."

Tips for camping with families

Transport solutions for hike-in sites: When camping with children at elevated sites, consider equipment to assist with gear transport. The demanding terrain requires planning for younger campers who may struggle with steep trails.

Weekday visits for quieter experience: Crater Island becomes notably busy and social on summer weekends. Families seeking a more peaceful experience should consider mid-week trips when "big parties in the cove" are less common.

Utilize established parking: At Zumbro Bottoms State Forest, "There is a parking spot near a known dispersed camping site with easy vehicle access next to it," which makes setting up camp with children more manageable while still providing a forest experience.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: The dispersed camping options near Lanesboro generally cannot accommodate larger RVs. Most sites are designated as not "big-rig friendly" and lack hookups of any kind. The narrow access roads and limited parking areas restrict vehicle size.

Wagon transport: For those with small trailers looking to access better views, consider bringing additional transport equipment. One camper at Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit found success using "a collapsible wagon to haul all the supplies up the hill" to reach premium overlook sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lanesboro, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lanesboro, MN is Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Lanesboro, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.