Best Dispersed Camping in Minnesota

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Minnesota

52 Reviews of 41 Minnesota Campgrounds

• R

  Ryan P.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 31, 2024

  South of Sand Dunes State Forest

  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.

• 

  ashley L.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 12, 2024

  Carlton Peak Dispersed Camp

  Up on a hill alone

  This spot was easy to get to with our truck camper. Road is alittle bumpy and rocky on the way up. The spot is near Carlton peak trail head and not to far from superior hiking trail. At this spot you can see views of superior lake and the lusten mountains. We went in October and it was quiet and secluded.

• M

  Mayre J.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 28, 2024

  Camp Cassaway Dispersed

  Free dispersed camping

  About a quarter mile from main road but very rough road meaning huge holes, just go slow. A few spots right next to the lake maybe 5 but the loop is generally close together for 3 of them. Its a really nice secluded spot actually with fresh clear cool waters. The mid summer bugs werent as bad when there was slight winds. May get adventurous and explore the rustic trails around the lake. Lots of wood sticks around to gather as well. Maybe you get lucky and are only one there to feel like in the movie castaway.

• 

  Carissa J.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 13, 2024

  Castle Danger

  Well hidden dispersed spot

  This area is definitely off the beaten path. Super skinny road with lots of rocks/hills and puddles coming in. I would recommend a car with 4WD for it and would not suggest pulling a camper unless you have experience bringing it over rough terrain. The sites themselves appeared to not be visited often. I went in early August and a lot of the places were over grown with plants! It was nice to be right by the north shore but in a spot that felt very much secluded. There was also no bugs here which was amazing! Great spot to hang out by a campfire without getting swarmed. You’ll be able to find plenty of wood from the nearby trees for a fire as well.

• 

  Joslyn H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 28, 2024

  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.

• E

  Erin G.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 28, 2024

  Rum River State Forest Dispersed

  Secluded, Quiet, Good Cell Coverage, Bugd

  There are many different sites (most just pull offs) in this area! I did see one that was pull through further down game refuge road. The cell service with Verizon is good enough to stream videos and work on your laptop with ease. There aren't too many people in the area, even on a Sunday in July. The bugs are not great but that's just what you're going to get in an area like this one. Overall I would definitely stay here again.

• 

  Tracy M.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 25, 2024

  Moose River ATV - Dispersed Camping

  Dirt Parking Lot

  Absolutely nothing interesting about this place. It’s just a standard issue dirt lot with a slight incline. Open parking, no sites.

• 

  samuel C.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 18, 2024

  Hill River State Forest

  Okay

  There were a good amount of spots, and I seemed to be the only person. Was a good and secluded. I did hear some weird noises throughout the night, but all was well. It is your average dispersed site. I made it fine with 2wd, just take it slow.

• 

  samuel C.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 18, 2024

  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.

• H

  Heather W.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 17, 2024

  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. 🤣

• 

  Jason B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 2, 2024

  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.

• 

  Kaleigh F.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 12, 2024

  Halverson Trail Camp on McCarty Lake

  Had an amazing time here!

  Very nice area with a water access, fire pit and outhouse. About a 10-15 min drive from main road and there are more campsites to find further in

• R

  Ralph K.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  Carrol Truck Trail

  Arrived after dark

  Easy to access, trails are all obvious, and near a water supply. We decided to go off the cuff, and the only thing we weren’t ready for was the damn mosquitos! Will be bringing repellent next time. BEAUTIFUL SPOT.

• P

  Pamela N.

  Traveler

  

  May. 31, 2024

  Paul Bunyan State Forest Dispersed

  Large drive in camping spot

  Very large easy to access camping area. Could easily get 4-5 campers in this one. It is a bit rocky and not extremely level but open and better for less bugs. ATV trail leads right off camping area.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 29, 2024

  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.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 26, 2024

  Rum River State Forest

  Great place to camp!

  Most of these spots are cutoffs on the sides of the dirt road. They are deep and have plenty of room, though. Almost all of them I could see have firepits. The spot I stayed in was the most secluded I could find. It was through a ditch and up a small hill and set back in the woods. There is a firepit up there as well. I spent 3 days here with only one car passing through on the first night. After that, nothing! You wouldn't have a problem finding a place if your pulling a trailer.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 18, 2024

  Castle Danger

  Great dispersed camping!

  This spot is pretty well hidden in the woods with a tight trail in. There are a few spots you could camp with stone firepits. Didn't look to be visited often, but I came in winter. There are low sites, and if you have 4x4, you can drive up to another plateau of sites. There's plenty of wood, but depending on location, you'll have to walk for it.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 17, 2024

  South of Sand Dunes State Forest

  South sand dunes DNR

  Great spot. Plenty of parking. Best for straight vehicles or very small trailers.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 17, 2024

  Hill River State Forest

  Quiet dispersed sites

  You'll want to come in on 640th lane. The road does a lot of winding, and sections aren't always in the best shape. I wouldn't recommend any trailers unless you have 4x4 and the trailer is set up for offroad. Ideally, this is a better straight vehicle spot. There are numerous spots off the road to camp. I stayed over at the very dead end, which, on Google, is labeled "deer camp." It's quiet and deep in. Good luck. No amenities.

• R

  Rachel B.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 20, 2023

  South of Sand Dunes State Forest

  Some road noise

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

• 

  Jasmine L.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 8, 2023

  Carrol Truck Trail

  Hidden Gem!

  Beautiful! Absolutely dispersed, we went all the way down the gravel road 5 miles in by SUV to the landing. Couple spots where you could clearly tell people were here before. (garbage, but we picked up as we came across) no one else out there but us! Couple fire pits already built. No bugs! Lots of wildlife for sure. But a pack of yoties or wolves was making our dog very alert they ran right next to us when we had our fire going. We had to pack up and take off they were not scared of the car horn or anything. Our dog wouldn’t sleep so had to take off. Otherwise definitely going back again!

• S

  Scott K.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 9, 2023

  Big Rice Lake

  Peaceful location

  Campground is small with 3 free campsites, all of which can fit a small Rv or travel trailer. There is a boat landing with a vault toilet that was clean. Verizon cell reception of 2 bars. I was able to stream YouTube video.

• 

  Jodi V.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 27, 2023

  Koochiching State Forest Johnson Landing Campsite

  Lots of biting flies

  Campsites we’re ok. One had 2 picnic tables other 2 had none. Water in the stream was an ugly rust color. Just the sight turned us off of trying to fish

• 

  Adam W.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 23, 2023

  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

• 

  Chelsea N.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 8, 2023

  Carrol Truck Trail

  As advertised

  No marked sites or mowing/trimming done that we could find. There's a shooting range that is not marked as such and we didn't realize that's what it was until we had already camped. Easy to find if out of the way quite a bit. Very quiet.

• 

  Christopher W.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 20, 2023

  Graces Lake Boat Access

  Not a camp site

  Public water access. No camp sites at this location

• P

  Peter L.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 9, 2023

  Carrol Truck Trail

  Hidden Gem for Hike in/Drive in

  Upon reaching the end of the trail, there is a small dirt road that leads to a public Canoe/Kayak launch. No amenities, but you can filter your water. Surrounded by woods, so there is no shortage of wood for a campfire. Service is a measly 2 bars through ATT. Overall, a lovely hidden gem if you pack accordingly. Recovery gear would be beneficial.