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Best Tent Camping near Rochert, MN

305 Reviews

Several tent campgrounds dot the lakes and forests near Rochert, Minnesota, including both established sites and remote backcountry options. 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.

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Best Tent Sites Near Rochert, Minnesota (30)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rochert, MN

25 Photos of 30 Rochert Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rochert, MN

305 Reviews of 30 Rochert Campgrounds

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2018

    Fox Trap Canoe Campsite

    Canoe Trek to Fox Trap

    This is both a campsite review and a Dyrt Ranger product review.

    Campsite Review: This a canoe-in campsite on the Mississippi River Headwaters Water Trail. It is located 31 miles from Itasca State Park which is the source of the mighty Mississippi and where the canoeable Water Trail begins. Fox Trap would be a couple days paddle downstream from Itasca. You can access this campsite only by paddling, either 15 miles from the campsite at Coffee Pot Landing, or after driving into Bear Den Landing which is a mile away, then paddling a mile downstream from there. You could in theory hike in as well, but this would involve traversing unmarked logging trails in the nearby state forest and then bushwhacking a bit! Could be done, but more fun to paddle in. This campsite has a nice three-sided log Adirondack shelter you can use, along with a steel fire grill and a picnic table. The canoe landing access is easy to use, and then you will need to portage your gear up a small bluff. There is no potable water here, so bring your own or use a good filter—though the water is basically pristine here, there are a lot if beavers and risk of giardia. There is no privy either, so prepare to rough it and Leave No Trace. The view is great as you are up high on a bluff, and on a point, and the marshy waterway below has a lot of bird and wildlife action as this is part of the wild and scenic section of the river. Great for a quick weekend getaway, or as a stopover when through-paddling the water trail!

    Product Review:

    As a Dyrt Ranger, I sometimes test and review new camping products for The Dyrt. This review is for the Rom Outdoors camouflaged convertible backpack, that serves as a sturdy waterproof tarp, a warm fleece lined poncho, and also folds up neatly to become a large and roomy portage pack. See video below to see how I used it, and what I liked about it. In sum,

    Pros:

    1. The pack is made from really sturdy waterproof canvas. It will last a long time and take a lot of abuse. My dog tested it trying to get into her dog food packed inside, and there is no way--too tough for claws!

    2. It is a convertible pack, which can be uses as a portage pack for gear, or as a poncho, or as a warm sturdy camping tarp. All the parts used for altering the use, such as velcro, zippers, straps and buckles, are all top quality and heavy duty

    3. I don't know how waterproof it is as it didnt rain while I tested it, but I used the poncho form as a camouflaged birdblind for birdwatching and photography. It is awesome for that! Very roomy, very warm, you could easily use it in 4 seasons.

    4. It unfolds to a standard size tarp, you could use it under a tent to keep it dry, or inside a tent or Adirondack shelter to provide an insulating layer between you and the ground

    5. As a portage pack, it straps into your canoe realy well, and while portaging it is easy to carry, as a 5'5" tall woman I found the straps to adjust perfectly at shoulders, chest and waist. The three sets of straps distribute the weight well. I portaged with gear and my 12 pound dog and it was comfortable! I know it wasnt meant to carry a dog, but it worked for a small one like ours, she fit right in. When fold up s a pack, it has two deep pockets in the main body of the bag, plus additional large pounches on the outside.

    6)The pack comes with a full size removable pack liner that is also a lightweight back pack on its own, and there are two large external gear pouches that go on and off with buckles and heavy velcro.

    Cons:

    1. The shoulder straps and buckles are a tad bulkly if you unfold the pack to use as a tarp. You wont notice if you use a sleeping bag pad on top, but you might feel it a bit without a pad.

    2. The poncho feature would be particularly good in cool to cold weather, maybe in warmish weather too, but not in real warm or hot weather because the canvas itself is so thick, plus there is a layer of insulating polarfleece. I cant imagine wearing it as a poncho for very long on hot days.

  • Glenda D.
    Mar. 27, 2021

    Delagoon Park Campground

    Small campground with fishing pier

    Delagoon Campground is located within Delagoon Park which is on the outskirts of Fergus Falls, the County seat of Ottertail County. The campground has 22 campsites with 14 being camper/tent sites with water & 20/30 electricity. The campsites are gravel back-in with no separation between sites so privacy is limited. The tent-only sites are against a line of trees but are still open to other campers. There are fire rings but no picnic tables so bring your camping chairs. The fishing pier is large and handicap accessible. There are non-plumbed but modern and clean restrooms within the park. The campground gets used a lot by local residents looking for a quick weekend getaway but there are usually several open spots available that are low in cost ($10 for tent-only & $20 for hookup sites). Registration is first come first serve via a self serve kiosk at the campground entrance. The noise level within the campground can be pretty high on weekends. There are no posted quiet times or on-site staff who manage the campground (it is managed by the Fergus Falls Park & Rec Dept) although the local police drive through frequently when the campground is inhabited.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2024

    Gulch Lake

    Views, water access

    Great views here! Stayed right next to the lake! Had easy access for kayaking and had a fun girls weekend! Site 7 was a short hike in from the parking lot and the site was large enough for multiple tents. We had a 3p and 2p backpacking tent. Picnic table and fire ring provided at the site. There is a self pay station and the rates were pretty cheap! we enjoyed a rainy weekend and were even able to rig up an awning with some dead branches in our site and extra rope we brought to help us keep dry. Great location for water access. we had an inflatable kayak, traditional kayak, and inflatable paddleboard between the three of us!

  • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2020

    Mantrap Lake Campground and Day-Use Area

    Right price, easy access, off the road

    This is a State Forest Campground, and for the price of only $14 a night, you can't go wrong. Although you may get some noise from RVs with generators, we visited in late september, and there were enough sites to choose from that we could be away from that noise. Almost every site had a fair amount of space, and some privacy from neighboring sites with brush and foliage. There seemed to be pathways back to little vault toilet houses, and when we visited, they were very clean! They must have been recently cleaned, and there was no smell at all. Perhaps the cooler weather had something to do with that as well.

    We had a fire ring that was tall, and deep. With a grate so you could grill. A picnic table, and again, plenty of space for our teardrop trailer. The property had a few small, short trails through the woods, and also boat access.

    It's far enough off the main road that you won't hear road noise. You will, however, see and hear deer, and possibly black bear.

    There's no electricity, because it's a State Forest campground, but if the price of $14, it's exactly what we wanted for this time of year.

    One more bonus is that motorized two-wheel vehicles and off-road vehicles are not allowed past the entrance. That doesn't mean they can't be carried on the back of a truck, but you will not find them riding around this campground. Made things a little bit quieter!

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2022

    Lake Twentyone Watercraft Site

    Rustic waterfront sites

    Sites are primitive. No electric or water. Toilets are vault toilets, no showers. Stayed at a nice waterfront site great for having kayaks and paddle boards. Enough space for a few small tents and trees for hanging hammocks

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2019

    Stumphges Rapids Landing

    Stumphges Rapids Landing (along witwith a Ranger Review of Eclipse Sunwear)

    Campground Review: The Stumphges Rapids Canoe Landing is a stop on the Mississippi Headwaters Water Trail. It has a primitive dispersed campsite that lies with the river buffer zone that is part of the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest, but the DNR is no longer maintaining it as a full scale Water Trail canoe campsite, eg there is no water pump, latrine or Adirondack shelters such as at Coffee Pot Landing or Wanagon upstream or Pine Point downstream. Although on a bluff overlooking one of the more pristine sections of the Headwaters, the campsite itself has seen better days. There is a clearing for tents and parking, a fire ring with stump seats, and a beautiful bench overlooking the sandy but steep trail to the canoe landing. Be prepared to bring your own water, and to Leave No Trace when you visit the woods for an al fresco potty stop. For those who appreciate a very rustic campsite in a secluded state forest location, you might choose this spot to either drive in or paddle in, but it is not as nice as Coffee Pot or Fox Trap, which are your next closest full canoe campsites on the Water Trail. Whether driving or paddling, the site is not really accessible during the winter season although you probably could ski or snowmobile in for winter camping. I give the river location itself a full five points, but the campsite itself just a 3 at best

    Brochure and map for the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00034.pdf

    Map of the first hundred miles of the Headwaters Water Trail: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/canoe_routes/mississippi1.pdf

    Directions to the Stumpghes Rapids Landing and adjacent dispersed campsite are at this link: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/water_access/site.html?id=WAS00636

    Product Review of Eclipse Sunwear protective clothing:

    As a Ranger for the Dyrt, I sometimes have the chance to try new products and review them for the Dyrt camping community. The Eclipse Sunwear shirts are a relatively new brand of sun protective clothing, and I tried both the hooded shirt in mint green and the electric yellow shirt. You can see an example of them here: https://eclipseglove.com/collections/cover-ups/products/equinox-hoodie-beach-cover-up PROS:For health reasons, I have been advised to be cautious about sun exposure, which is a challenge as I do a lot of outdoor recreation and I also work outdoors. The Eclipse Sunwear is pretty awesome at protecting from sunburn and minimizing sun exposure without use of sunscreen lotion, as the fabric screens out UV light. The shirts are made of a lightweight stretchy fabric that is really cool and comfortable to wear doing anything from kayaking to carrying gear for field work. You can wear them swimming and they dry quickly. The hooded shirts are sleek and comfy and have extra pockets, one dedicated to holding your cell phone and keys which is real handy. There are a variety of nice colors, you can choose to “blend in” with natural outdoor colors, or for safety you can choose their fluorescent colors to be seen when biking or hiking or working alongside roads. CONS: The only con is that the sleeves have open vents on the undersides. These may be meant to keep you cool with airflow in a spot that isn’t exposed to the sun, which may be great at the beach or on the water, but it gives access to mosquitos when you are in the woods. I am thinking about sewing up the vents in mine for that reason.

  • B
    May. 2, 2021

    DeSoto Lake Backpacking Sites — Itasca State Park

    Backpack camping site 10

    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. The main trail is wide and well maintained with ambling hills, but overall pretty flat. It is about 1/3 mile away from nearest campsite.

    The site is lakeside. You can easily access the water and there are some great views (at least in early spring before the leaves come in). There is a pit toilet on the other side of the trail and is clearly signed and clearly visible from the trail (best hope no one hiking by walks in on ya).

    There is only level ground enough for one tent—maybe two two-person tents if you cram them next to each other.

    You can forage for firewood on the forest floor, do bring a saw. I was lucky and there were plenty of downed branches nearby. But I suspect later in the season it’ll be harder.

    Also, getting water to filter from the lake was difficult without getting wet—the reeds inhibit easy access.

    I read in another review that you are always aware of people around. While I think that is more true of the non-dispersed sites, I could clearly see hikers from this site. More annoying—at about 8 am there was a very loud mechanical noise that radiated over the landscape for about an hour before stopping. No idea what it was.

    Unfortunately the people who had this site before me didn’t clean up after themselves—beer cans everywhere (that I ended up packing out) and a dirty diaper thrown in the woods near the tent pad. I did let the park know.

  • HollyRose M.
    Oct. 20, 2022

    Lake Twentyone Watercraft Site

    Quiet and Beautiful

    This watercraft campsite is right in the water with a rustic access for your canoe or kayak, not far from the actual landing and parking lot

    It is tucked a bit back off the trail and sheltered on two sides from a small hill.

    Has picnic table, fire ring, and sandy tent pad.

    Also a hike in site, about .25 mile from the parking lot and outhouse.

    About a half mile to the potable water, which is near the actual campground.

    Small unmotorized lake makes for a quiet and peaceful stay.

    Lots of hiking trails!

  • C
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Bear Paw Campground — Itasca State Park

    Peaceful and Beautiful

    I stayed at BP#5, just on McKay Lake. It was beautiful and peaceful. The site is small. I had trouble finding space for my 4-man tent. There was no space for table and couldn't find a greatly spaced set of trees for a hammock. I was able to pitch very close to the fire pit (almost on top of it), because there was a fire ban in place and I wasn't going to be using it. Even though the space was so limited, it was far enough away from other sites, from the main trails, and from all roads that all you hear is the wind in the trees, the critters in the bush, and your own breathing. Picture perfect sunset. Lake is very cool and swimming is great! Stay away from the mush around the shore as there are leeches.

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

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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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