Dispersed camping near Plymouth, Minnesota provides outdoor recreation without developed facilities. The area features sandy terrain with pine forests and seasonal variations in ground conditions. Temperatures range from summer highs near 85Ā°F to winter lows below freezing, affecting both site accessibility and comfort during overnight stays.
What to do
Hiking trails exploration: Several footpaths traverse the Sand Dunes State Forest area, offering opportunities for wildlife watching and nature photography. South of Sand Dunes State Forest features numerous trails. One camper notes, "Trails galoreāhorse, ski, hiking, and horseback routes all crisscross here."
Bird watching: The forest provides habitat for diverse bird species including sandhill cranes. According to a visitor at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, "This is a nice quiet area... lots of different bird sounds." Morning hours typically yield the most bird activity.
Hammock camping: The pine stands create natural supports for hammock setups. A camper shared, "I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock." Bring appropriate tree-safe straps and verify adequate spacing between suitable trees.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River offers isolation along the Ice Age Trail. A visitor described, "Well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north." The separated sites reduce noise and visual disruption between camping parties.
Accessibility options: Some areas include accommodations for campers with mobility needs. At Sandy Cove, "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."
Proximity to Minneapolis: Camping locations provide nature access within reasonable driving distance from urban areas. One camper appreciated, "I love that it's so close to home," making these spots suitable for quick weekend escapes without extended travel time.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads may challenge some vehicles depending on recent weather. A visitor to South of Sand Dunes State Forest advised, "Primitive roads; bring anything from AWD to 4Ć4 depending on your rig and route."
Wildlife precautions: Some birds display territorial behavior during certain seasons. One camper warned, "Stand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity remains unreliable throughout most dispersed camping areas. A camper reported, "Zero bars, zero interruptions. Bring a journal and some good companyāyour phone's chances are slim. Recent check-ins confirm unreliable cell coverage, even for Verizon."
Poison ivy presence: The understory contains significant patches of irritating plants. Multiple reviews mention, "Poison ivy is everywhereāavoid off-trail wandering."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection timing: Arriving early improves chances of securing preferred spots during busy periods. A camper observed, "After 12 p.m., not much of anything," regarding traffic and site availability, suggesting morning arrivals yield better options.
Safety considerations: Some forest roads experience unexpected traffic patterns. A visitor cautioned, "This road is pretty busy for a dirt forest road and people FLY down it. Almost got hit a few times walking."
Insect protection: South of Sand Dunes State Forest requires thorough preparation for biting insects. A review advised, "Bug up at first signs of duskāmosquitoes and ticks love these woods."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate only smaller recreational vehicles. A camper explained, "Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," when describing appropriate equipment for these areas.
Pull-through availability: Limited pull-through spots exist for easier parking. One visitor noted, "There are a few spots that have great views or pull-through areas, and there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly."
Overhanging branches: Tree canopy may interfere with taller vehicles. A reviewer cautioned, "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."
