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.
