Tent camping near Longville, Minnesota provides access to unmotorized lakes, hiking trails, and sandy shorelines within Paul Bunyan State Forest. The region sits at approximately 1,300 feet elevation with average summer temperatures ranging from 55°F to 80°F. Seasonal mosquito populations peak in June and July, requiring proper preparation for comfortable camping experiences.
What to Do
Paddling exploration: Several watercraft sites offer direct water access for kayaks and canoes. At Lake Twentyone Watercraft Site, one camper noted it's on "a small unmotorized lake makes for a quiet and peaceful stay" with a "rustic access for your canoe or kayak, not far from the actual landing and parking lot."
Trail hiking: Access the North Country Scenic Trail from multiple campsites. From Gulch Lake campground, "There is a high bluff at the end of Nelson Lake along the NCT that has AMAZING views about a miles hike from the campground."
Swimming spots: Many campsites include natural swimming areas. A camper at South Bend Watercraft Site reported, "It's never super deep or too strong a current, and in front of this site it's sandy and great swimming!"
Wildlife observation: The forest area hosts diverse bird and animal species. At Mabel Lake State Dispersed, a camper mentioned the "beaked neighbors get pretty chatty early," referring to the active morning bird populations.
What Campers Like
Private waterfront sites: Campers appreciate secluded access to water. At Star Island Campground, "There are several sites available along the south side of the island otherwise it is privately owned cabins all around the rest of the island. You do need a boat to get over to it."
Budget-friendly options: Free and low-cost camping attracts many visitors. A camper at Mabel Lake State Dispersed wrote it "is a free dispersed camping site in the state forest with lake access. There are four rings and a picnic table as well as a sandy boat launch."
Autumn colors: Fall visitors enjoy spectacular foliage. A Gulch Lake camper reported, "I visited Gulch Lake campground October of 2019. The leaves could not have been more beautiful."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer ample room. At Lake Twentyone Watercraft Site, a visitor mentioned finding "Enough space for a few small tents and trees for hanging hammocks."
What You Should Know
Cell reception varies: Coverage differs by location and carrier. At Mabel Lake, a camper noted "ATT is usable enough that I probably won't try Starlink, but there may be enough clear sky" while another using an antenna reported "My phone is getting 1 bar ATT."
Access road conditions: Some forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. A Gulch Lake camper warned, "The road can also be pretty tough so be prepared if your pulling a trailer."
Limited facilities: Most sites offer minimal amenities. At South Bend Watercraft Site, a camper described finding "a fire ring with grate, picnic table available, a rustic latrine is just off behind the site, no tent pad, but a couple cleared grassy soft spots great for a tent."
Weather preparedness: Rain can affect camping comfort significantly. A camper at Gulch Lake noted they "enjoyed a rainy weekend and were even able to rig up an awning with some dead branches in our site and extra rope we brought to help us keep dry."
Tips for Camping with Families
Inner-island swimming: Star Island offers a protected swimming area. A visitor mentioned "There is also a swim beach for the inner lake on the north side of the island that is only a few feet walking distance. From campground it's a good mile walk through the island to get to it."
Group camping options: Larger family groups have dedicated areas. Gulch Lake provides a group camp that one visitor called "one of the prettiest sites I've ever seen" with "plenty of places for tents, a lot of trees for hammocks, the largest stone fire ring I've ever seen."
Pack drinking water: Not all sites have potable water. At Norway Beach - Cass Lake Walk-In Campground Loop, water sources are limited despite the campground having "campsites all along the lake shore, each site is huge and sheltered by giant pines."
Secure watercraft properly: Sloped shorelines require attention. At South Bend Watercraft, a camper warned, "Make sure to pull your watercraft ALL the way up the hill or secure it tightly! One of our Kayaks slide back down the hill into the river."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most sites accommodate tents better than RVs. While Mabel Lake State Dispersed technically allows RVs, a camper noted it's "large enough for multiple campers or a small group" but primarily suited for tent camping.
Distance to water sources: RVers should plan water usage carefully. At Lake Twentyone, a visitor mentioned water access is "about a half mile to the potable water, which is near the actual campground."
Generator etiquette: Noise pollution can disrupt the wilderness experience. A camper at Gulch Lake complained about "the generator running all night across from me" affecting what would otherwise be a peaceful experience.
Pack-in, pack-out requirements: Many sites lack waste facilities. At Star Island, campers must plan accordingly since "There are no showers/water/garbage cans or electricity and one vault toilet. So plan to pack in and pack out everything."
