Top Free Dispersed Camping near St. Paul, MN
Want to go dispersed camping near St. Paul? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Minnesota excursion.
Best Dispersed Sites Near St. Paul, MN (3)
1. South of Sand Dunes State Forest
Zimmerman, Minnesota9 Reviews•18 Photos•100 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Dispersed
2. King Plant Shore Dispersed Site
Be the first to review!Bayport, Minnesota•28 Saves- Pets
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Trash
- Toilets
- Alcohol
3. Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River
Taylors Falls, Minnesota1 Review•6 Photos•17 SavesPrimitive shoreline campsites scattered along the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers offer the opportunity to move from campsite to campsite for multi-day trips. These campsites are often only accessible from the water and are relatively isolated. Campsites are easier to secure mid-week and during non-holiday weekends. nps.gov/sacn/planyourvisit/lowerstcroix.htm
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
Recent Dispersed Reviews In St. Paul
10 Reviews of 3 St. Paul Campgrounds
South of Sand Dunes State Forest
Absolutely love it
I love that it's so close to home. I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock.
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.
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. 🤣
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.
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.
South of Sand Dunes State Forest
South sand dunes DNR
Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers.
South of Sand Dunes State Forest
Some road noise
Campsites were pretty far apart. Not bad, quiet, aside from the occasional truck speeding through.
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
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.
Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River
Hard to say
The spot is along the ice age trail. Well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north.
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. The crushed gravel path to the south makes travel to the nearby Lions park easy.
The ease of access probably makes this a hangout spot as we saw a good amount of refuse around the pad. The pictures are probably worst case scenario. 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. Right on the beautiful st.croix river.
Guide to St. Paul
Camping near St. Paul, MN, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, you can enjoy nature without straying too far from the city.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the scenic trails at Willow River State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area."
- Water Activities: Check out Interstate State Park for canoeing and kayaking. A visitor shared, "Canoe and kayak rentals for more adventures on the river."
- Wildlife Watching: At Wild River State Park Campground, you might spot deer and other wildlife. One camper noted, "We spotted three white-tail deer."
What campers like:
- Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites at Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A reviewer said, "We were very surprised at the privacy of our site."
- Clean Facilities: Campers at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve enjoy the well-maintained restrooms. One visitor remarked, "Shower facilities are very nice."
- Family-Friendly: Afton State Park Campground is great for families. A parent shared, "Good pricing, great trails for all different skill levels."
What you should know:
- No Alcohol Allowed: Many campgrounds, like William O'Brien State Park Campground, have strict no-alcohol policies. A camper mentioned, "NO alcohol allowed."
- Limited Amenities: Some sites, such as those at Lake Maria State Park, lack water hookups and showers. One visitor noted, "There is no adjusting the shower temperature."
- Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Maria State Park warned, "The mosquitos were awful."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites like Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground. A family shared, "Larger and more private than most state parks."
- Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Afton State Park Campground said, "Great trails for all different skill levels."
- Pack Bug Spray: Be ready for insects. A visitor at Lake Maria State Park advised, "Be prepared with bug spray/repellant!"
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: RV campers at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve appreciate the spacious sites. One RV owner said, "The grounds are absolutely gorgeous."
- Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups, like Lebanon Hills Regional Park. A reviewer noted, "RV portion has full hookups."
- Be Mindful of Noise: Some RVers at Interstate State Park mentioned noise from nearby sites. One camper shared, "People in RVs tend to not recognize their voices penetrate tent walls with incredible ease."
Camping near St. Paul, MN, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for a family getaway or a peaceful retreat in nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near St. Paul, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near St. Paul, MN is South of Sand Dunes State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near St. Paul, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near St. Paul, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.