Dispersed camping near Lilydale, Minnesota offers primitive sites in sandy woodlands approximately 60 miles northwest of the city. The area features Sherburne County's unique terrain with several campgrounds positioned on former glacial deposits, creating sandy soil conditions and mixed pine stands. Standard vehicles can access most sites during dry weather, though seasonal rainfall from May through September can significantly impact road conditions.
What to do
Wildlife observation: South of Sand Dunes State Forest supports diverse bird species, making it popular with amateur ornithologists. "This is a nice quiet area. Some younger people coming through sporadically playing with their trucks but nothing serious and not often," notes Jason B. about South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Hammock camping: The pine stands provide excellent hammock setup opportunities. "I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock," reports Joslyn H.
Trail exploration: Ice Age Trail access points near dispersed camping areas offer day hiking possibilities. "The spot is along the ice age trail. Well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north," explains Travis B. about Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River.
What campers like
Proximity to Minneapolis: The relative closeness to urban areas makes these dispersed sites practical for weekend getaways. "I love that it's so close to home," mentions a camper about South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Quiet weekday camping: Traffic and visitor numbers decrease significantly on weekdays. "Came back on a warm weekend. A bit more traffic, but after 12 p.m., not much of anything. I really recommend this for an easy stop if you're looking for a place to put up," shares Skip H.
Site availability: Multiple pull-off areas provide options even during busier periods. "Plenty of spots. Fairly small spots," notes Ryan P. about South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
What you should know
Vehicle restrictions: Some areas limit trailer access despite being officially designated for dispersed camping. "Be aware if you have an RV though. I had a county sheriff person tell me it's not lawful to park a trailer and they kicked me out. I called the DNR and they said that wasn't right but I decided to leave anyway," warns Jason B.
Road traffic considerations: Forest roads can have unexpected traffic patterns. "This road is pretty busy for a dirt forest road and people FLY down it. Almost got hit a few times walking. Even through a Wednesday night cars are flying down the road," cautions Ryan P.
Road closures: Management changes affect accessibility to certain areas. "The bad part a lot of the side roads are closed to motor vehicles due to some issues they had a couple years ago but are now taken care of like people dumping," explains Adam W. about South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Choose spots farther from main roads for safety with children. "For the proximity to the city and nearby highways, this was a good spot. Didn't expect to see as many campers as I did, but all seemed to be friendly," mentions Samuel C. about South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Wildlife awareness: Local birds can be territorial during nesting season. "Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack," warns Heather W.
Accessibility options: Some sites include adapted facilities. "There is a pad at the bottom of the path up to the open air vault toilet, a fire ring, and a table. The table has an extra long side for those in a wheelchair," notes Travis B.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate only smaller rigs. "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," advises Skip H. about South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Overhead clearance: Tree canopy poses challenges for taller vehicles. "Drove past several sites, most of which were by water. We did find one we thought we liked, but branches over hung, and rested on our camper (8ft high) and in fact most sites were shaded," reports Gregory.
Overnight options: Some areas work well for quick stays rather than extended camping. "I just did an overnight camp one night in a truck camper and it was very easy to navigate and it was cleaned quiet area to spend the night," shares Adam W.
