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Dispersed Camping

South of Sand Dunes State Forest

South of Sand Dunes State Forest, near Sand Dunes State Forest, Minnesota, is a laid-back spot perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle without straying too far from home. This area offers a mix of tent and RV camping, with plenty of spots tucked off the main gravel road for a bit of privacy.

Campers rave about the peaceful atmosphere, with many noting the soothing sounds of nature and the occasional sighting of wildlife, like deer and even a possum. One visitor mentioned, “I just used one of the spots on the side of the road. Only saw 2 cars go by. Was a nice quiet evening.” While there are no fancy amenities, the freedom to have fires and bring your pets makes it a welcoming place for a casual camping experience.

If you’re up for a little adventure, there are trails nearby for walking and exploring the natural beauty of the area. Just keep in mind that some roads are closed to vehicles, so plan accordingly. The friendly vibe here is a big draw, with many campers enjoying the company of fellow outdoor lovers and their furry friends. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or a chance to unwind in nature, South of Sand Dunes State Forest is a solid choice.

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Location

South of Sand Dunes State Forest is located in Minnesota

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

45.41016688 N
93.6645219 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Phone Service
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if South of Sand Dunes State Forest needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2025

Nomad crew: Two humans, one adventure-seeking pup, zero bars on the phone 🏕️👫🐶📵

🌲 Backcountry Bliss (with a side of frustration)

Venturing into Sand Dunes State Forest feels like claiming a slice of untamed wilderness just an hour from the Cities. The experience? Rustic and immersive—zero amenities (no toilets, no water, no trash cans) as per MN DNR guidelines . That means real freedom—and responsibility.

You’ll access pull-off dispersed sites along gravel roads south of Ann Lake (Co Rd 233–237). The sites are spaced for solitude, nestled between pine stands and open sandy stretches—perfect for hammock hangs or pooch romps (). One camper even notes:

“Lots of poison Ivy. Weak cell service but manageable.” 

📵 Zero Bars, Zero Interruptions

Bring a journal and some good company—your phone’s chances are slim. Recent check-ins confirm unreliable cell coverage, even for Verizon. It’s peaceful… until you need GPS or an Uber. The upside? You’ll actually unplug and be present under the pines.

🐜 Wide-Open Wilderness & Pesky Pests

Campers speak of “quiet and serene” nights once side roads thin out . But set foot off-trail and you risk scenic encounters with poison ivy (it’s nearly unavoidable) and mosquitoes thicker than the air . Long sleeves, tick checks, and bug spray are essential.

✅ Highs, Lows & Clever Tips

👍 Pros • Free, legal dispersed camping up to 14 days in summer; 21 in cooler seasons   • Privacy and space—even pull-through spots for low-profile trailers  • Trails galore—horse, ski, hiking, and horseback routes all crisscross here ()

👎 Cons • Poison ivy is everywhere—avoid off-trail wandering  • Minimal cell service—plan accordingly • Primitive roads; bring anything from AWD to 4×4 depending on your rig and route

💡 Camp Hacker Hacks • Drive until a decay path opens, park, then trek 100–300 ft off-road to your camp  • Download the MN DNR MVUM and use GPS overlay to avoid gated roads and day-use zones  • Bug up at first signs of dusk—mosquitoes and ticks love these woods ()

📝 Final Take

If you’re chasing raw, quiet, and free dispersed camping near civilization—you’ll find gold here. It’s honest-to-goodness backcountry: phone signal is scarce, poison ivy is a fact of life, and you supply everything beyond a plot of land and forest atmosphere. But those epic silent nights, stars overhead, and pine-scented breezes? Priceless.

Score: 4.5/5—For freeing your soul, but testing your patience (and other survival basics).

#TheDyrt #DispersedCamping #SandDunesStateForest #MNBackcountry #OffGridAdventure #RusticCamping #NoCellNoProblem #PoisonIvyZone #FreeCamping #TrailDogApproved

SiteDispersed
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Alison O., July 1, 2025
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Alison O., July 1, 2025
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2024

Nice place. Lots of traffic

Plenty of spots. Fairly small spots. 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.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2024

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.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2024

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.

Month of VisitJuly
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2024

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. 🤣

Site2nd one on right
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Heather W., July 17, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2024

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.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jan. 29, 2024

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.

Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Skip H., January 29, 2024
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Skip H., January 29, 2024
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Skip H., January 29, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 20, 2023

Some road noise

Campsites were pretty far apart. Not bad, quiet, aside from the occasional truck speeding through.

Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

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

Siteoff road pull out
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Adam W., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Adam W., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of South of Sand Dunes State Forest by Adam W., July 23, 2023
Reviewed May. 16, 2023

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.

SiteN/A
Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at South of Sand Dunes State Forest?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at South of Sand Dunes State Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does South of Sand Dunes State Forest have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, South of Sand Dunes State Forest does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at South of Sand Dunes State Forest?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.