Sand Dunes State Forest dispersed camping spans beyond Ann Lake's south shore, with additional sites found along unmarked roads and connecting trails between County Roads 233 through 237. Rangers recommend bringing detailed forest maps as navigation becomes difficult after dark due to unmarked intersections. The sandy soil throughout the forest creates challenging driving conditions, particularly after rain when ruts form quickly. Seasonal hunters frequent the area from October through November, making bright clothing essential during fall camping excursions.
What to do
Wildlife photography sessions: Bring a telephoto lens for capturing sandhill cranes, white-tailed deer, and occasional fox sightings. "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," notes a camper at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Ice Age Trail hiking: Connect to segments of the historic glacial trail system with varying difficulty levels. Many paths feature crushed gravel sections suitable for all-weather hiking. A visitor to Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River mentions, "The spot is along the ice age trail. Well managed gravel trail to the south and single wide footpath to the north."
Bird watching circuits: The forest hosts over 150 bird species throughout the year. "This is a nice quiet area. Some younger people coming through sporadically playing with their trucks but nothing serious and not often," reports a camper about South of Sand Dunes State Forest, adding that diverse bird sounds make for excellent morning listening.
What campers like
Private campsites: Many pull-offs accommodate single vehicles with natural screening between sites. "Nice spot with plenty of space between sites, which gives you some privacy. It's right off a busy road, so you'll hear some traffic noise," shares a visitor at South of Sand Dunes State Forest.
Proximity to Twin Cities: The forest offers primitive camping near Wyoming, Minnesota that requires minimal drive time. A camper at County Road O Landing notes: "We camped here on our way to the badlands starting from michigan. It was easy to find, and the spot itself was good and had restrooms."
River access: Several sites provide direct water access for fishing or swimming. "Pretty campsite with boat ramp to St Croix river," mentions a County Road O Landing visitor who appreciated the water proximity despite arriving late and leaving early.
What you should know
Restricted vehicle access: Many forest side roads remain closed to vehicles. A camper at Sandrock Cliffs shared: "You have to walk upstairs to get to it, but there were quite a few campsites as you walk along the hiking trail. Each one has a fire pit and a picnic table, and you could probably fit three or more tense at each site."
Summer crowds: Weekends attract day-users and vehicle traffic, especially near established pull-offs. "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," notes a South of Sand Dunes State Forest visitor.
Weather impacts: Heavy rains can make forest roads impassable for standard vehicles. At County Road O Landing, a camper advises, "I pulled into the campsite late at night and was really confused where to go. There are bathrooms and 1 bar of Verizon (no T-mobile service)."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom planning: No facilities exist in most areas, requiring proper waste management. "There is a pit toilet by the parking lot. No trash, showers or water that we saw," mentions a visitor to Sandrock Cliffs, highlighting the need to bring supplies for sanitation.
Safety boundaries: Establish clear boundaries with children due to passing traffic. "This road is pretty busy for a dirt forest road and people FLY down it. Almost got hit a few times walking," warns a South of Sand Dunes State Forest camper.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about storks and other territorial birds. "Sand storks are very protective. Stay away from them. They attack," cautions a forest visitor with firsthand experience.
Tips from RVers
Length restrictions: Most pull-offs accommodate vehicles under 20 feet total length. "Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers," advises a South of Sand Dunes State Forest visitor who successfully camped with a compact setup.
Permit confusion: County and state regulations sometimes conflict regarding RV camping. "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," warns an RV camper, highlighting potential enforcement inconsistencies.
Overhead clearance: Many sites have low-hanging branches unsuitable for taller rigs. "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)," reports a camper describing site limitations.
