Primitive camping near Mendota Heights, Minnesota provides multiple options within a 50-mile radius of the Twin Cities metro area. Sites typically remain accessible from April through October, with summer weekends experiencing higher visitation rates. Winter camping remains possible at several locations but requires additional preparation for subfreezing temperatures that frequently drop below 10Ā°F during January and February.
What to do
**Trail exploration: Access multiple hiking routes from South of Sand Dunes State Forest. A camper notes, "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."
**Wildlife observation: Watch for native birds and mammals throughout the camping areas. At South of Sand Dunes State Forest, one visitor observed "Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack."
**Water activities: Fish or paddle when camping near waterways. "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," reports a camper about shoreline access at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
What campers like
**Natural surroundings: The forested environment creates a sense of isolation despite proximity to urban areas. One camper at Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River appreciated that "The crushed gravel path to the south makes travel to the nearby Lions park easy."
**Convenience: Many dispersed sites offer relatively easy access for quick weekend trips. "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," shares a camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
**Peace and quiet: Despite occasional traffic, campers appreciate the relative tranquility. "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," notes one visitor.
What you should know
**Vehicle considerations: Forest roads vary in condition throughout the seasons. According to one camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, "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."
**Seasonal flooding: River sites can become inaccessible during spring thaws. A Sandy Cove visitor observed, "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."
**Insect preparation: Mosquitoes remain problematic throughout summer months. "Plenty of spots to park. It's peaceful and tons of spots to put up," notes a camper, though many reviews mention bug spray as essential equipment.
Tips for camping with families
**Site selection: Choose locations with adequate room for children to explore safely. "There were other branches of the road that could be explored as well," noted one camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, indicating multiple options for finding appropriate family sites.
**Wildlife education: Prepare children for potential wildlife encounters. One visitor at South of Sand Dunes State Forest experienced unexpected wildlife: "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."
**Accessibility considerations: Some locations offer limited wheelchair accommodation. At Sandy Cove, a visitor noted "The table has an extra long side for those in a wheelchair," making it potentially suitable for families with diverse mobility needs.
Tips from RVers
**Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller rigs only. One visitor to South of Sand Dunes State Forest found that "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."
**Regulatory awareness: Local enforcement varies by location and season. A camper advised, "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."
**Road navigation: Forest roads require careful planning. "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," reports one RVer about South of Sand Dunes State Forest access.
