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RangerPine Ridge Campground — Itasca State Park
Amazing bike trails, really quiet but it is off season, surrounded by natural beauty
Tent Camping near Rochert, MN
3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Several tent campgrounds dot the lakes and forests near Rochert, Minnesota, including both primitive backcountry sites and walk-in tent campsites with fire rings and lake access. The area features walk-in tent sites at 400th Ave Camp and Flooded Woods Campsite, where campers can experience seclusion just off the North Country Trail. Other primitive tent locations include Gardner Lake Campsite and Old Headquarters Campsite, offering varying levels of amenities within the public forest lands surrounding Rochert.
Most primitive tent setups near Rochert require visitors to carry in their own water or use filtration systems for lake water. Fire rings are common at established sites, with firewood sometimes provided at designated campgrounds. Many sites include vault toilets, though they lack doors as noted in reviews: "The campsite comes with fire ring and benches, beautiful bed of pine needles for a tent pad, access to a gorgeous crystal clear lake, and a clean three-sided outhouse with a scenic view toward the lake." Campers should plan accordingly for limited facilities, especially at hike-in locations where carrying gear may be necessary.
Tent campsites in the Rochert area frequently offer lake access, making them ideal for paddlers and anglers. Sites like DeSoto Lake backpacking sites provide tent pads sheltered under tall pines with access to pristine lakes. A recent review noted, "Great place to camp with kiddos to get them used to the woods! So close to the parking area it's a breeze to get to, yet far enough away you'd never guess you were near your car." The surrounding forests offer hammock-friendly trees at many locations, with fallen wood available for campfires at most sites. Walk-in tent sites typically provide more privacy than drive-in alternatives, though access trails can become muddy during wet seasons. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with campers reporting encounters with trumpeter swans, loons, and beavers at backcountry tent locations.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Rochert (32)
1. 400th Ave Camp
"So close to the parking area it's a breeze to get to, yet far enough away you'd never guess you were near your car (except for very occasional road noise). "
2. Flooded Woods Campsite
"Flooded woods campsite is a bit off the trail (the North Country Trail in MN), which is nice, but very well marked by a wooden sign with it's name carved in it. A 30 yard walk perhaps."
3. Little Toad Lake Campgrounds
4. Shell Lake Resort and Campground
5. Meadow Lake Campsite
6. Rose Shores Campground
7. Old Headquarters Campsite
"It's not often you find a camp along the trail that's large, but this one is just that! About 50 yards off of the North Country Trail, it's well worth the hike to get into."
8. Glendalough State Park Campground
"Went on the hiking club trail around Annie Battle Lake, most of it is even paved for biking or groomed for skiing."
"Lots of lakes, a mosaic of habitats from pine and aspen forest to maple and ash woodlands, to oak savannah, to fens and marshes and lakes and streams and prairie."
9 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 - $85 / night
9. DeSoto Lake Backpacking Sites — Itasca State Park
"Stayed at backpack site 10. It’s about 250 ft from main trail and about a 40 min hike in/30 min hike out from parking lot."
"These sites are accessible to NCT through hikers, but access within the park is either through backpacking in in the Nicollet Trail or DeSoto Lake Trail (each a several hour hike in from the Parks Wilderness"
Check Availabilityfrom $14 - $24 / night
10. Gardner Lake Campsite
"Super easy to find, right off the North Country Trail! This is a long campsite. I mean, it's off the trail and kind of long and skinny from the trail down to the water."
"Not much for available tent sites or hammock sites. It could fill up fast. Has a fire pit and water is super clear. Very quiet and was mosquito free till darkness set in."
Drive Time
- 55 min from Fargo, ND
- 1 hr 57 min from Grand Forks, ND
- 2 hrs 13 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 3 hrs 12 min from Duluth, MN
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rochert, MN
25 Photos of 32 Rochert Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
400th Ave Camp
DeSoto Lake Backpacking Sites — Itasca State ParkB
Deer Park Lake Backcountry Campsite — Itasca State ParkB
Glendalough State Park Campground
Lake Twentyone Watercraft Site
Gulch Lake Campground —Paul Bunyan State Forest
Swan Lake Resort & Campground
Mississippi High Banks Primitive Group Campground
Tent Camping Reviews near Rochert, MN
325 Reviews of 32 Rochert Campgrounds
- RRobert P.
TravelerWagner Park
Very Nice - great sites, great kids play area… very clean .
We have 27’ travel trailer with 21’ pickup… stayed in the large tent area - level, treed, green grass, very clean!… $25.00/night.
John P.
Guidemaplewood state park knoll campground
Quiet luxury
The small knoll campground loop is a perfect quiet spot in the literal heart of Maplewood state park. Hiking trails are nearby and the new bike path thru the park is excellent.
elizabeth B.GuideHeiberg Park
Nice spot with electric hook-ups
$15/night with electric hook-ups. No water. There is a dump station in the nearby town hidden between two houses in the center of a residential block but it has no flushing water. River running by. There are about 6 sites.
Patrick W.GuideLake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
Lake Itasca State Park Backpack #5
*Can reach from North Country Trail
Backpack Site#5 is a peaceful, secluded campsite located on the shore of McKay Lake along the Deer Park Trail in Itasca State Park. The site is approximately 2.5 miles from the Aiton Fire Tower parking lot, making it a manageable hike while still providing the feeling of being well away from the busier areas of the park. The campsite has a beautiful lakeside setting, with the shore of McKay Lake only about 10 feet from the site. This makes it a great spot to relax by the water and enjoy the quiet surroundings. The site is equipped with a bear box and fire ring, along with a bucket for completely extinguishing your campfire. There is also a simple three-sided vault toilet nearby. Fallen trees and dead wood are abundant in the surrounding area, providing plenty of potential campfire wood where gathering is permitted. One unexpected bonus was finding a deck of cards in the bear box, a nice little addition for passing the time around camp after a day on the trail. Overall, Backpack Site#5 offers a great combination of accessibility and solitude. With a relatively short 2.5-mile hike, a campsite almost directly on McKay Lake, basic backcountry amenities, and plenty of surrounding forest, it is an excellent choice for an overnight backpacking trip in Itasca State Park.
Sacred E.GuideSmith Park Campground
Great little town camp spot
We are loving finding these sweet little campgrounds! This one is easy, has power and water for $15 a night, nice host, and a great little bakery just down the road.
aidxn
ScoutGulch Lake Campground —Paul Bunyan State Forest
Pretty quiet!!
It's a super simple campsite. Nothing fancy but it's exactly what you need if you a peaceful weekend.
- LLeonard N.Traveler
Delagoon Park Campground
City Owned Park and Campground (nicest one on our two week vacation)
Stayed on 07/18/26 1 night in our 30' RV pulling a motorcycle trailer, while traveling through on I94, without a reservation. It is 3-4 miles off the highway, and a little challenging to find (poor signage), but worth the effort. This is a city owned and operated park, and campground BUT, it is located on the outskirts of town on a very large parcel, with no nearby industrial, or residential neighbors. The access road from HWY 82 is 3/4 mile, and was rough in one 1/4 mile stretch (repaving pending). The campground was completely renovated, and reopened in 2026 (new sites, hookups, restroom/shower house). The rates have increased (we paid $56). The sites are large, level compacted gravel, with most three pull through sites. There were many trees removed during the renovation, limiting shade, and privacy, but allowing good views of Pebble Lake. Our Tuesday night stay was very quiet, with only a few other campers dispersed throughout the campground. There is a very nice playground for children, and walking/biking trails throughout the park, and a convenient dump station at the entrance. This isn't an "RV Resort", nor a "wilderness campground", but it is the nicest campground we stayed at during our two week vacation (and possibly ever). We would highly recommend Delagoon Campground to anyone visiting family or friends in the Fergus Falls area, or as a destination vacation campground. Wish we could have stayed longer!
Lindsey Z.ScoutBear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park
Nice, great views
We stayed two nights at the Bear Paw Campground. It's right off the lake.
There were nice views.
The bathrooms were nice and clean, with more than enough showers and stalls and sinks for everyone.
The biggest downside was our actual spot 37E. It was very small, with only gravel/sand for any flat ground. We had to put our tent kinda in-between our spot and our neighbors'. I don't think that a full-size camper (either 5th wheel or travel trailer) and a truck would fit in the spot either.
Guide to Rochert
The Rochert area sits within the glacial moraine region of Minnesota, characterized by rolling hills, dense pine forests and numerous lakes formed during the last ice age. Primitive tent camping near Rochert provides access to the North Country Trail (NCT), which spans 4,700 miles across multiple states. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F, while summer brings humid 80°F days with frequent thunderstorms from June through August.
What to do
Paddling crystal-clear lakes: Gardner Lake Campsite offers direct lake access with remarkably clear water. A camper noted, "Water is super clear. Very quiet and was mosquito free till darkness set in."
Wildlife observation: Track and spot diverse species around Rochert's forests and lakes. At DeSoto Lake Backpacking Sites, "wild swans nesting" can be observed, according to a reviewer who described "abundant wildlife including wild swans" in the lake's "many islands and small bays."
Hiking North Country Trail segments: Explore sections of the NCT running through the region. One camper at Old Headquarters Campsite mentioned being "super glad to find this site after about 12 miles on the trail," indicating the distances possible for day hiking or backpacking trips in the area.
What campers like
Secluded wilderness experience: Flooded Woods Campsite provides isolation without extreme remoteness. "Flooded woods campsite is a bit off the trail (the North Country Trail in MN), which is nice, but very well marked by a wooden sign with it's name carved in it. A 30 yard walk perhaps."
Easy-access primitive camping: Tent camping near Rochert doesn't always require long hikes. At 400th Ave Camp, one visitor noted it was "literally only about 100 yards, if that, from the parking area at the 400th Ave trailhead" yet feels remote.
Natural tent pads: Many sites feature optimal tent placement spots. A camper at Old Headquarters Campsite remarked on "a few tent pads on nice, level ground" and mentioned the site was "cleanly kept" despite its backcountry location.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most Rochert tent sites have minimal amenities. A reviewer at Old Headquarters Campsite noted basic provisions: "We had a fire ring, there was a bench, a few logs to dry my shoes on, scenery of the lake and a bathroom very nearby."
Water filtration required: No potable water exists at most sites. For DeSoto Lake campers, "You need to bring your own water, or a water filter as there is no potable water."
Site capacity limitations: Gardner Lake Campsite has size constraints. A camper observed, "Didn't appear to be a whole lot of room for extra tents... I don't think this would be a great spot for more than a few campers that were staying in the same tent."
Winter preparations: Tent camping near Rochert in winter requires specialized gear for sub-zero temperatures and potential snow accumulation up to 18 inches.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly locations: Glendalough State Park Campground is ideal for first-time family campers. A reviewer called it a "perfect State Park for a family visit" where "the campsites were filled with families and things were very quiet by 9 pm each night."
Short hiking distances: Choose sites with minimal walking for younger children. At 400th Ave Camp, the short distance makes it "perfect for a quick overnight with the kids, if they were itching to camp somewhere other than your back yard."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Schedule dawn and dusk animal observation times. A Glendalough visitor reported, "We saw many deer, caught many pan fish and observed an eagle in it's nest."
Insect protection: Pack extra DEET-based repellent for Minnesota's notorious mosquito population, which peaks from June through August, especially near lakes and wetlands.
Tips from RVers
Tent-only restrictions: Note that many sites near Rochert prohibit RVs. Glendalough State Park is described as "tents only" where "all sites (except one handicapped site) are tent only and cart-in sites."
Alternative RV-friendly options: Find nearby RV accommodations at state parks with designated RV sites, typically 25-45 minutes from Rochert's primitive camping areas.
Parking logistics: Several sites have designated parking areas separate from tent sites. A reviewer mentioned at Gardner Lake, access involves "a 2.5 mile hike of all sorts of terrain" from the parking area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Rochert, MN?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rochert, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rochert, MN is 400th Ave Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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Rochert, MN?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Rochert, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Rochert, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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