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Top Free Dispersed Camping near Prior Lake, MN

10 Reviews

Looking for the best dispersed camping near Prior Lake? The Dyrt can help you find the best dispersed campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Minnesota excursion.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Prior Lake, MN (2)

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Prior Lake

10 Reviews of 2 Prior Lake 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

Guide to Prior Lake

Camping near Prior Lake, Minnesota, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds nearby, you can enjoy nature while making lasting memories with family and friends.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Plenty of sites and hiking to do. Very cool area. The falls are awesome!"
  • Water Activities: Head to Interstate State Park for canoeing or kayaking. A visitor shared, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Afton State Park Campground, you can enjoy birdwatching and spotting local wildlife. One camper said, "The eagles soar as you swim in the sandy, shallow warm river stream."

What campers like:

  • Privacy: Campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. One review noted, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors rave about the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A camper at Frontenac State Park Campground remarked, "Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN."
  • Convenient Location: Campgrounds like William O'Brien State Park are close to the Twin Cities, making them perfect for quick getaways. One reviewer said, "It’s a great park conveniently located near the twin cities."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, lack certain amenities like showers and toilets. A visitor mentioned, "Only portapotties. I think the best camping opportunity I saw was the group campgrounds."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Maria State Park warned, "The mosquitos were awful."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots like Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve fill up quickly. One camper advised, "Must reserve months in advance as usually full."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. A family shared, "Larger and more private than most state parks."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities, such as hiking and swimming, to keep kids engaged. One parent at Afton State Park Campground said, "Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels."
  • Pack Bug Spray: With the presence of mosquitoes, it's essential to have bug spray handy. A camper at William O'Brien State Park noted, "We went through a lot of bug spray and coils."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site dimensions. A visitor at Interstate State Park mentioned, "The electric sites are quite cramped."
  • Utilize Dump Stations: Many campgrounds have dump stations, so plan accordingly. A camper at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve said, "Trash and water fill up stations."
  • Stay Connected: Some campgrounds have limited cell service. A visitor at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park noted, "Very patchy cell signal and could only get WiFi signal when standing next to Ranger station."

Camping near Prior Lake, MN, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Prior Lake, MN?

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