EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING
Free Camping in Minnesota
Minnesota's Superior National Forest along the Lake Superior shore and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness dominate the state's dispersed camping options. The BWCAW requires a permit and is paddling-access only — it's canoe camping rather than dispersed driving. The Superior National Forest outside the BWCAW has limited road-accessible dispersed camping on the Gunflint Trail corridor and the Tofte Ranger District. The Chippewa National Forest in north-central Minnesota has some dispersed camping on Forest Service roads around Leech Lake and Cass Lake.
No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →
Before You Go
Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water
Free Camping Sites in Minnesota
TAMARACK POINT (Campground)
JACK THE HORSE M130 (Camping Area)
LOW LAKE SITE 3 (Camping Area)
SULLIVAN LAKE CAMPGROUND (Campground)
SUOMI SOUTH SIDE DISPERSED SITES M6,M7,M11, M15, M18, M82 (Camping Area)
TROUT LAKE M31 (Camping Area)
TROUT LAKE M32 (Camping Area)
WHITEWATER LAKE COMPLEX (Campground)
ADELE LAKE (M1) (Camping Area)
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, not sure if legal, near Rush City and Harris MN (Minnesota).
Camping near International Falls, MN (Minnesota) near Voyageurs National Park
Pat Bayle State Forest in Minnesota at Eagle Mountain Trailhead, not sure if legal, near Grand Marais, MN.
Superior National Forest Campsite near Grand Marias and Boundary Waters Canoe Area MN (Minnesota)
City of Silver Bay MN offers a municipal dump station and RV parking area adjacent to a public scenic overlook. There is a donation box but no charge to use the…
City of Burnsville MN allows overnight RV parking across from it's City Hall located at 100 Civic Center Drive. Park in the large lot adjacent to the ICE CENTER…
City of Wabasha MN has posted 72 Hour parking for no charge. Across from Schells Super Value at 221 Hiawatha Dr W 55981 Just off Hwy 61, this is a large flat se…
Mall Of America. In the North Parking Lot they allow free overnight stays. Bathrooms inside during normal business hours.