Top Free Dispersed Camping near Maple Grove, MN

Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Maple Grove? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Maple Grove, MN (2)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Maple Grove

14 Reviews of 2 Maple Grove Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Oct. 31, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Nice place. Lots of traffic

    Plenty of spots. Fairly small spots. 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.

  • samuel C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 18, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Good forest road, nothing special

    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. I stayed here for one night and roads were totally fine for any vehicle. Most spots are like the pictures shown. There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly. Saw lots of dogs, and mine had a blast, even had what seemed to be a stray husky quickly roll through camp around dusk. Something to keep on your mind. The road goes for a long ways, I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer. Overall there was some shouting and yelling but for the location I was happy.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 17, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Very Quiet

    There’s lots of little spots off the main gravel road. Nothing allowed further into the forest. One pull through area that I found. Couple vehicles pass a day. Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack. 🤣

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 2, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Quiet with lots of different bird sounds

    this is a nice quiet area. Some younger people coming through sporadically playing with their trucks but nothing serious and not often. 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. County sheriff's not pleasent around here.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jan. 29, 2024

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Came back for round two

    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. It's peaceful and tons of spots to park.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from County Road O Landing Dispersed River Camp
    Sep. 18, 2023

    County Road O Landing Dispersed River Camp

    Quiet and easy to find

    We arrived in the late afternoon and drove all the way down the road, there are a few spots near the boat ramp and bathroom, but we parked near the trailhead and it was perfect! There were a few hunters out but they weren’t anywhere near us, I’d definitely recommend this spot

  • Adam W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    Jul. 23, 2023

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Good easy access. Clean spots to camp

    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. 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

  • a
    Camper-submitted photo from County Road O Landing Dispersed River Camp
    Jun. 29, 2023

    County Road O Landing Dispersed River Camp

    Quick night

    I pulled into the campsite late at night and was really confused where to go. There are bathrooms and 1 bar of Verizon (no T-mobile service). We ended up staying in the parking lot near the boat ramp and woke up to amazing bird calls and left before 6am. Pretty campsite with boat ramp to St Croix river.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South of Sand Dunes State Forest
    May. 16, 2023

    South of Sand Dunes State Forest

    Quiet and off the beaten path

    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. As to be expected, mozzies were present, but after 5mins of the door being opened and several flying in, we decided the area wasn't for us. There were other branches of the road that could be explored as well.

  • Travis B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River
    Apr. 23, 2023

    Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River

    Hard to say

    The spot is along the ice age trail. Well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north.

    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. The crushed gravel path to the south makes travel to the nearby Lions park easy.

    The ease of access probably makes this a hangout spot as we saw a good amount of refuse around the pad. The pictures are probably worst case scenario. We visited in April after historic snowfall and thaw causing the river to flood. I'd imagine when the river is lower with the fire ring and table where they're supposed to be this would be a nice place for the night. Right on the beautiful st.croix river.



Guide to Maple Grove

Camping near Maple Grove, MN, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Many campgrounds, like Willow River State Park Campground, have lovely trails. One visitor mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area."
  • Water Activities: At Interstate State Park, you can enjoy canoeing and kayaking. A reviewer noted, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river."
  • Wildlife Watching: Wild River State Park Campground is great for spotting deer and other wildlife. One camper shared, "We spotted three white-tail deer."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A visitor said, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, such as Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve, are known for their clean restrooms. One reviewer mentioned, "Shower facilities are very nice."
  • Convenient Location: Campgrounds like William O'Brien State Park Campground are close to the Twin Cities, making them ideal for quick getaways. A camper noted, "Close proximity to Stillwater which made for a nice day trip."

What you should know:

  • No Alcohol Allowed: Some campgrounds, like Afton State Park Campground, have strict rules against alcohol. A visitor pointed out, "NO alcohol allowed."
  • Limited Amenities: Campgrounds such as Lake Maria State Park may not have all the amenities you expect. One camper mentioned, "There is no adjusting the shower temperature."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A reviewer at Lake Maria State Park warned, "The mosquitos were awful."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground. A camper said, "Larger and more private than most state parks."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family enjoyed the trails at Wild River State Park Campground, stating, "Hiking was awesome."
  • Pack Bug Spray: With the presence of mosquitoes, it's essential to bring bug spray. A visitor at Lake Maria State Park advised, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure the campground can accommodate your RV size. A reviewer at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve mentioned, "RV pads are gravel."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Lebanon Hills Regional Park, offer electric hookups. A camper noted, "The RV portion has full hook ups."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially with RVs nearby. A visitor at Interstate State Park shared, "People in RVs tend to not recognize their voices penetrate tent walls with incredible ease."

Camping near Maple Grove, MN, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Maple Grove, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Maple Grove, MN is South of Sand Dunes State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.