Dispersed camping near Stillwater, Minnesota includes options in pine forests with sandy soils and along riverfront areas in both Minnesota and Wisconsin. The region sits at the transition zone between Minnesota's hardwood forests and prairie landscapes, creating diverse ecosystems for campers to explore. Winter camping is possible at many locations, though winter access roads are typically not maintained and require appropriate vehicle capabilities.
What to do
Wildlife watching opportunities: The diverse habitats at South of Sand Dunes State Forest attract numerous bird species. As one camper notes, "Quiet with lots of different bird sounds. This is a nice quiet area." The forest's mix of pine stands and sandy areas creates excellent viewing opportunities.
Kayaking and canoeing: Rivers provide excellent paddling opportunities with minimal crowds. At County Road O Landing, campers have direct access to the St. Croix River. A visitor mentioned, "Pretty campsite with boat ramp to St Croix river."
Hammock camping: The wooded areas provide ample trees for hammock setup. A camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest shared, "I was able to walk in and find an incredible spot to camp and lay in my hammock."
What campers like
Proximity to Twin Cities: Many dispersed camping areas provide quick escapes from urban areas. As one camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest noted, "I love that it's so close to home." Most sites are within a 60-90 minute drive from Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Variety of parking options: The forest roads offer multiple pull-off spots for different vehicle types. A visitor observed, "Plenty of spots. Fairly small spots." Another camper mentioned, "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers."
Morning wildlife sounds: Early risers are rewarded with natural alarms. One camper at County Road O Landing shared they "woke up to amazing bird calls and left before 6am." Dawn hours typically provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access varies significantly by site and season. A camper reported, "I stayed here for one night and roads were totally fine for any vehicle." However, conditions change with weather and season.
Mosquito pressure: Summer months bring intense mosquito activity. One camper at County Road O Landing reported, "The spot itself was good and had restrooms. The only problem was the mosquitoes." Another specifically warned, "In June, too many mosquitoes."
Traffic on forest roads: Some forest roads experience more vehicle activity than expected. One camper noted, "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."
Cell service limitations: Most sites have limited connectivity. At South of Sand Dunes State Forest, expect "Weak cell service but manageable." Another area had "1 bar of Verizon (no T-mobile service)."
Tips for camping with families
Choose weekdays for quieter experience: Weekend traffic increases at most sites. One camper reported, "Came back on a warm weekend. A bit more traffic, but after 12 p.m., not much of anything."
Wildlife safety awareness: Some birds can be territorial during nesting season. A camper at Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River recommended exploring the "well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north." At South of Sand Dunes, another warned, "Sand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack."
Park near road access points: For safety with children, consider camping closer to main access roads. A camper suggested, "The road goes for a long ways, I parked near the front and closer to numbers, always like to be safer."
Check sites before committing: Sites vary significantly in shade and vegetation. One camper described, "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."
Tips from RVers
Know clearance limitations: Many forest roads have overhanging branches. A visitor with an 8-foot-high camper noted branches "rested on our camper" at several sites they checked.
Understand trailer regulations: Rules vary by jurisdiction. One RVer at South of Sand Dunes shared, "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."
Look for pull-through options: While limited, some areas have pull-through sites. A camper reported finding "one pull through area" at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, noting "there are limited spots that are big-rig friendly."
