South Bend Watercraft Site

This county-managed site provides free camping accessible only by watercraft along the Pine River Water Trail. Located upstream from Rat Lake, the site sits on a hill offering elevated views of the river below. A fire ring with grate, picnic table, and rustic latrine serve the single camping spot.

The cleared grassy areas work for tent placement, though no formal tent pad exists. Deadfall provides material for small fires, and cell service reaches the location despite its remote setting. Campers report sandy swimming areas in front of the site where the current remains gentle. The elevated position requires securing watercraft well up the hill to prevent them sliding back toward the water. For those preferring developed facilities, Riverview RV Park And Campground sits a few miles west.

Fee Info

Free

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsSouth Bend Watercraft Site is located in Minnesota near Pequot Lakes

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

46.68713607 N
94.31623955 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Reviews1 Camper Review - South Bend Watercraft Site

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4.0

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1 Review

Reviewed Dec. 1, 2020

Wildlife and Views! Remote Site

This is a site on Pine River Water Trail - it's tucked just above Rat Lake, and only accessible by boat/waterfcraft. Its up on a little hill, and has  great view of the river. 

- There is a fire ring with grate 

- Picnic table available 

- A rustic latrine is just off behind the site

- No tent pad, but a couple cleared grassy soft spots great for a tent

- Plenty of deadfall for a small fire, but no actual firewood. I have been to this site a few times, and once there was a few stacked logs probs from a fallen tree that the DNR stacked up to be nice ;-) 

This site is about an hour and a half - two hours downstream from the Pine River Damn access. It's about an hour to the next access, on why 15. We did have cell phone service out there, but definitely remote!

We saw so much wildlife on this kayak trip, and enjoyed a great swim in the river. It's never super deep or too strong a current, and in front of this site it's sandy and great swimming!

Since it's up on the hill, the view is really great. Note: Make sure to pull your watercraft ALL the way up the hill or secure it tightly! One of our Kayaks slide back down the hill into the river, got caught in a branch so we were lucky!

SiteSouth Bend Watercraft site on Pine River State Water Trail
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of South Bend Watercraft Site by HollyRose M., December 1, 2020
  • Review photo of South Bend Watercraft Site by HollyRose M., December 1, 2020
  • Review photo of South Bend Watercraft Site by HollyRose M., December 1, 2020
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the elevation of South Bend Watercraft Site?

South Bend Watercraft Site is located at 1245 feet.

Are fires allowed at South Bend Watercraft Site?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at South Bend Watercraft Site, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Is there cell phone reception at South Bend Watercraft Site?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.