Dispersed camping near Mendota, Minnesota encompasses several locations beyond the immediate Sand Dunes State Forest area. Campsites spread across the region sit on sandy soil with elevations ranging between 850-950 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with summer highs averaging in the mid-80s, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with spring thaw often affecting ground stability on forest access roads.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At South of Sand Dunes State Forest, the natural surroundings provide excellent bird watching. "Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack," warns camper Heather W., highlighting the importance of maintaining distance from nesting birds.
Hiking trails exploration: The St. Croix River area offers accessible trail options. "The spot is along the ice age trail. Well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north," notes Travis B. about Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River, making it suitable for day hikes from camp.
Hammock camping: The pine stands at Sand Dunes provide ideal hammock setup locations. "I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock," shares Joslyn H. about her experience at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
What campers like
Accessibility from urban areas: The proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul makes these sites convenient for weekend trips. "I love that it's so close to home," mentions Joslyn H., highlighting the short drive time to primitive camping near Mendota.
Solitude on weekdays: Mid-week camping offers significantly quieter experiences. "Came back on a warm weekend. A bit more traffic, but after 12 p.m., not much of anything," reports Skip H., suggesting timing affects the camping experience.
Pull-through parking spots: Some areas provide convenient vehicle access options. "There's lots of little spots off the main gravel road. Nothing allowed further into the forest. One pull through area that I found," notes Heather W. at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
What you should know
Traffic conditions: Forest access roads see varying vehicle traffic. "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.
Vehicle restrictions: RV and trailer camping faces limitations in some areas. "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," shares Jason B. from South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Seasonal flooding effects: River areas experience flooding during spring thaw periods. "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," explains Travis B. about St. Croix camping conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility considerations: Some sites offer adaptive 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. about Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River.
Site selection timing: Arriving early improves campsite options. "Plenty of spots. Fairly small spots," Ryan P. mentions about South of Sand Dunes, indicating that while numerous, many sites have limited space for family setups.
Wildlife education opportunities: Bird watching provides educational value. "Very quiet with lots of different bird sounds," Jason B. reports, making these primitive campsites near Mendota suitable for nature education activities.
Tips from RVers
Clearance and size limitations: Many dispersed sites have overhead obstacles. "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," Gregory explains from South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Small trailer considerations: Compact rigs fare better at most locations. "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," advises Skip H., indicating that full-sized RVs may struggle with access or parking.
Road condition awareness: Forest road quality varies throughout the season. "I just did an overnight camp one night in a truck camper and it was very easy to navigate," reports Adam W., though he notes many side roads remain closed to motor vehicles.
