Best Dispersed Camping near Rice Lake, WI

Dispersed camping near Rice Lake, Wisconsin includes two primitive sites: Chinty Lake Roadside Camp and Sandy Cove on the St. Croix River. Both locations offer free camping with minimal amenities. Chinty Lake provides a roadside pull-off area suitable for both tent and RV camping, accessible via drive-in or walk-in approaches. Sandy Cove requires a permit and is accessible only by hiking or walking in, situated along the St. Croix River and the Ice Age Trail.

Access conditions vary significantly between the two sites. Chinty Lake Roadside Camp accommodates vehicles but lacks facilities such as drinking water, toilets, or designated fire rings. The site permits pets and alcohol but prohibits fires. Sandy Cove offers slightly more amenities, including toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but still has no drinking water or hookups of any kind. Both areas maintain primitive conditions with no reservations required at Chinty Lake, while Sandy Cove requires permits for overnight stays.

The camping experience at these sites reflects their minimal development. Chinty Lake has received mixed reviews due to its proximity to a reportedly busy road. "This is literally just a roadside pull off not really a campsite, and the road was kinda busy," noted one visitor who chose not to stay overnight due to safety concerns. Sandy Cove provides a more established experience with its location along the Ice Age Trail. A camper described it as having "a pad, an open air vault toilet, a fire ring, and a table with an extra long side for those in a wheelchair." The site's riverside setting offers natural scenery, though accessibility and conditions may vary seasonally, particularly after flooding events that can affect site usability. Both locations represent typical dispersed camping with limited amenities and variable conditions based on weather and season.