Best Dispersed Camping near Bangor, WI

The Bangor, Wisconsin area features several dispersed camping options within a short drive, primarily focused on water-based recreation along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Crater Island in Wisconsin offers boat-in camping with minimal amenities, while across the state line in Minnesota, the Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit provides free hike-in camping opportunities with scenic views of the driftless region. Root River Canoe Campsite, another nearby option, represents a more established but still primitive camping area. These sites collectively showcase the region's emphasis on self-sufficient, low-impact camping rather than developed campgrounds with full amenities.

Access to these camping areas varies significantly by transportation method and seasonal conditions. Crater Island requires watercraft for access and may be closed during dredging operations. According to visitor reports, "Big parties in the cove. No bathrooms no showers, just sand and water. Very busy on weekends in the summer." The Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest features "steep [trails] with drop offs" and camping spots that are "not well marked," making it suitable for more experienced backcountry campers. Most sites in the region lack drinking water, restrooms, and trash facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

Campers report distinctive experiences at each location, with the Root River Canoe Campsite described as "used and built by Boy Scouts ages ago" where "the river changed course and is further away than it once was." This site includes basic amenities like "a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring" making it "ideal for tent camping via bike, kayak or canoe." The Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest receives praise for "beautiful hikes overlooking the driftless and Mississippi," though visitors should be comfortable with heights. Summer weekends bring higher visitation to water-accessible sites like Crater Island, where visitors note that "if it is closed, there are plenty of islands and beaches nearby to set up for camping," indicating the abundance of informal camping opportunities throughout the region.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bangor, Wisconsin (3)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bangor, WI

3 Reviews of 3 Bangor Campgrounds


  • Michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2022

    Root River Canoe Campsite

    Old Boy Scout Campsite

    This was used and built by Boy Scouts ages ago. It’s still exist, however the river changed course and is further away than it once was. There is a bike trail that had a fork in the road that leads right to it someone could walk, hike, canoe or kayak to access this campground. I haven’t camped here since the 90’s, but have visited it in the last 5 years via bike, walking, and kayak. It’s free to stay here, and doesn’t seem like people really camp here anymore. Has a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring. Ideal for tent camping via bike, kayak or canoe.

  • Michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2022

    Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful hikes overlooking the driftless and Mississippi

    This is an awesome place to hike, not a very long hike but it’s steep with drop offs. Not for those that are scared of heights.

    This is a hike in camping spot, camp spots are not well marked I stayed in the old rock Cory when I camped here, years ago.

  • Michael V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2022

    Crater Island

    Great place for camping via Boat

    Big parties in the cove. No bathrooms no showers, just sand and water. Very busy on weekends in the summer, as long as there is no dredging operations going on, otherwise it’s closed. If it is closed, there are plenty of islands and beaches near by to set up for camping.


Guide to Bangor

Primitive camping near Bangor, Wisconsin centers on self-sufficient, pack-in-pack-out experiences predominantly along waterways. The area lies within the driftless region, characterized by steep bluffs and valleys that escaped glaciation during the last ice age. Winter camping remains available at most dispersed sites, though snow and freezing temperatures significantly impact accessibility from November through March.

What to do

**Water exploration: Access free island camping spots by watercraft during summer months. At Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit, visitors find "an awesome place to hike, not a very long hike but it's steep with drop offs. Not for those that are scared of heights."

**Biking adventures: Utilize the regional trail system connecting to camping areas. Near Root River Canoe Campsite, "there is a bike trail that had a fork in the road that leads right to it someone could walk, hike, canoe or kayak to access this campground."

**Beach camping: Set up directly on sandbars and shorelines during lower water periods. According to campers at Crater Island, you'll find "just sand and water" with opportunities for swimming and shoreline exploration when water levels permit.

What campers like

**Remote locations: Enjoy significant privacy at less frequented sites. Root River Canoe Campsite "doesn't seem like people really camp here anymore" which appeals to those seeking solitude.

**Driftless region views: Experience the unique landscape shaped by ancient geological processes. Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest offers "beautiful hikes overlooking the driftless and Mississippi."

**Primitive setup: Camp with minimal infrastructure intervention. Crater Island provides a back-to-basics experience where visitors report only "big parties in the cove. No bathrooms no showers, just sand and water."

What you should know

**Seasonal closures: Verify access before traveling. Crater Island may be "closed" during "dredging operations," requiring alternative plans.

**Unmarked sites: Prepare for navigation challenges. At Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit, "camp spots are not well marked" according to experienced visitors.

**Changing landscapes: Understand that natural forces alter camping areas over time. At Root River Canoe Campsite, "the river changed course and is further away than it once was" compared to its original Boy Scout camp layout.

**Weather vulnerability: Monitor forecasts closely as river levels can change rapidly. During spring runoff or after heavy rains, many island camping spots become submerged and unusable.

Tips for camping with families

**Safety considerations: Choose sites based on access difficulty. For families with young children, avoid Richard J Dorer Memorial State Forest where trails are "steep with drop offs" and "not for those that are scared of heights."

**Weekend planning: Schedule around peak usage times. Crater Island becomes "very busy on weekends in the summer" which may impact the experience for families seeking quiet.

**Basic amenities: Identify sites with minimal facilities. Root River Canoe Campsite offers "a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a fire ring" making it more suitable for families than completely undeveloped locations.

Tips from RVers

**Alternative options: Seek developed campgrounds for larger vehicles. The dispersed camping near Bangor consists almost exclusively of tent-only locations with no RV accommodations or hookups available.

**Access restrictions: Recognize physical limitations preventing RV camping. Most primitive sites around Bangor require "walk-in," "hike-in," or "boat-in" access incompatible with RV camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bangor, WI is Crater Island with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Bangor, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.