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Best Dispersed Camping near Ashland, WI

10 Reviews

Dispersed camping options near Ashland, Wisconsin include several primitive sites on public lands. Foster Falls offers secluded camping approximately 100 feet from a waterfall, accessible via an 8-mile drive that includes both paved and gravel roads. FlowMama Trail Head Dispersed provides access to mountain bike trails with flat terrain for camping. Castle Danger, though technically in Minnesota, presents another nearby option for those seeking more remote experiences.

These dispersed sites lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies and pack out all waste. According to reviews, Foster Falls visitors occasionally hear timber wolves in the distance, requiring proper food storage and camp hygiene practices. The site at FlowMama Trail Head has no cell service, as noted by multiple campers, so emergency planning is essential.

Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Foster Falls is accessible via mostly paved roads with some gravel sections that remain smooth for standard vehicles. Castle Danger requires four-wheel drive due to narrow, rocky access roads with hills and water crossings. Permits may be required at certain locations, particularly Foster Falls. Fires are permitted at Foster Falls and Castle Danger but prohibited at FlowMama Trail Head. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this region, particularly during spring and fall. Mosquitoes are present but typically manageable, with several campers reporting only moderate numbers even during summer months.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ashland, Wisconsin (5)

    1. Foster Falls

    3 Reviews
    Upson, WI
    23 miles
    Website

    "8 Mile drive off the main road. Mostly paved, some gravel, but all smooth. We had the place to ourselves. A short walk down to the waterfall."

    "Also got a bit nervous hearing timber wolves in the distance for a few hours at night then again in the early morning. But we practiced good camp hygiene and they left us alone."

    2. Afterhours Meadow

    4 Reviews
    Brule, WI
    35 miles

    "Boondocking great spot! Drive back in to open field."

    "Easy gravel road to the pin, there is one or two small sites on the left side of the road but we turned right and went down the 2 track (which was fine in 2wd vans w low clearance) and you end up in a"

    3. FlowMama Trail Head Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Cable, WI
    35 miles

    "Small parking lot located off well-maintained gravel roads. Nice and quiet flat no facilities."

    "No facilities or cell service. Easy access to mountain bike trails. Keep it clean if you use it 🙏"

    4. Castle Danger

    4 Reviews
    Two Harbors, MN
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 834-2700

    "DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE A HIGH CLEARANCE 4x4. The “road” up to the campsite is basically a jeep trail."

    "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."

    5. Brule River State Forest Backpacking Sites — Brule River State Forest

    Be the first to review!
    Brule, WI
    34 miles
    Website
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Ashland, WI

2 Photos of 5 Ashland Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ashland, WI

10 Reviews of 5 Ashland Campgrounds

  • Chris P.
    Aug. 8, 2024

    FlowMama Trail Head Dispersed

    CAMBA flow mama trailhead

    Small parking lot located off well-maintained gravel roads. Nice and quiet flat no facilities.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Castle Danger

    Awesome extremely private and primitive camping

    DO NOT COME HERE UNLESS YOU HAVE A HIGH CLEARANCE 4x4. The “road” up to the campsite is basically a jeep trail. But if you can get to it I recommend taking the first right if you have a pickup truck or going immediately left if you have anything else. The spot on top of the hill is a great spot.

  • M
    Oct. 28, 2024

    FlowMama Trail Head Dispersed

    Great access to bike trails

    Nice clean and quiet site. No facilities or cell service. Easy access to mountain bike trails. Keep it clean if you use it 🙏

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    FlowMama Trail Head Dispersed

    Free parking, no water, no gray dump, no trash.

    This is the trailhead for a very beautiful mountain biking trail and the roads that lead up to this area are incredibly gorgeous especially in the fall. The red building in the pictures is an emergency cabin. You can go in it and look around if you want. It's not at the trailhead, it's about 10 minutes from it on your way in.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • TexasRed (.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Castle Danger

    Great Spot

    Very nice n secluded spot, only had one other person stay there on labor day weekend. There are a couple of designated spots with fire rings, some are harder to get to. The road in is kind of rough but my subie handled it fine. The location on the dirt does take you to a persons property but check out Skips review for a detailed location. Overall great spot and close to a superior hiking trailhead

  • Carissa J.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Irvin N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Foster Falls

    Alone in the woods

    8 Mile drive off the main road. Mostly paved, some gravel, but all smooth. We had the place to ourselves. A short walk down to the waterfall. Quiet and serene, towering trees and only a few mosquitoes.

  • Michael G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2022

    Foster Falls

    Foster Falls

    This is a nice, secluded site about 100 feet from the falls. We did get several visitors to the falls each day, but most were only there for a few minutes and left us alone. The mosquitoes were somewhat bad. Also got a bit nervous hearing timber wolves in the distance for a few hours at night then again in the early morning. But we practiced good camp hygiene and they left us alone.

Guide to Ashland

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ashland, Wisconsin, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you can immerse yourself in the wilderness while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Ashland, Wisconsin

  • Make sure to practice good camp hygiene to keep wildlife at bay, especially if you're near areas like Foster Falls, where timber wolves have been heard in the distance.

Enjoying nature while free camping near Ashland

  • Take advantage of the peaceful surroundings at FlowMama Trail Head Dispersed, which offers easy access to mountain bike trails for those looking to explore the area on two wheels.

Waterfalls and tranquility for dispersed campers

  • Experience the tranquility of being just a short walk from stunning waterfalls at Foster Falls, where towering trees provide a serene backdrop for your camping adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ashland, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ashland, WI is Foster Falls with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ashland, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Ashland, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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