Easy to get to overnighters are what I'm looking for again this fall. Anyone want to share their favorite public land locations and suggestions? Or link up for an overnighter? Preferably North and West, as South and East are a bit more of a drive but I'll take what I can get.


I've just too much going on to get away for a few days at a time. I really love cool fall and early winter Saturday nights, and using downed wood for a small fire instead of having to buy logs. Short hikes make it easy to pack heavy - I carry a small fire pan so I leave minimal trace, [ LMT? :-) ] and can take whatever food I like.

The couple of gotcha's are car parking, having to carry too much water, and getting just far enough back, avoiding motorized traffic or lot's of foot traffic. Oh, and it's coming on big game hunting so I kinda don't want to mess it up for bow hunters. That's going to be tough.

SandDunes state forest is ok, just an hour away from home. Seems I keep finding poison-something and easily get a little Ivy rash every time. That, and Elk River lights obscuring the night sky.

Chengwatana State Forest - I'm considering checking it out this fall though I haven't scouted the area at.

Any suggestions?

Let's see if I can get a couple photo's from earlier nice camps in SandDunes:

There is a lot of awesome wooded areas near Saint John's University, plenty of camping.
Sent me a message if you want more info. b r p 15 4 at gmale.co. I hope you can decode that.

brp: "There is a lot of awesome wooded areas near Saint John's University, plenty of camping. "

I hadn't thought of that area as off the beaten path and public land open to disbursed camping. email sent.

If you don't need a lake rum river state forest is nice.

Check out lake Maria state park in Monticello.

Canoearoo: "If you don't need a lake rum river state forest is nice. "

Looks good. I was wondering about that area. Could you be so kind to shoot me a screen clip or something of couple areas I might hike in that have access to water and a view of the sky? Once I get started in an area I’m more comfortable searching different spots, but the first trip or two I like to know where I’m going.

??

I won't be over there anytime soon. But there is plenty on information on the internet

I was also going to recommend Lake Maria State Park. If you don't mind driving about two hours, (depending on where you are in the Cities) the Flambeau RIver state forest and Chequemegon nat'l forest in Wisconsin are worth the trip if you want to find solitude. The Chip is a very underrated canoeing destination, with about 25 free campsites on various islands and points and 95% of it is undeveloped.

dex8425: "If you don't mind driving about two hours, (depending on where you are in the Cities) the Flambeau RIver state forest and Chequemegon nat'l forest in Wisconsin are worth the trip if you want to find solitude."

That sounds like nice alternatives to BWCA at only a couple hours or so drive. Might even take the canoe. Two hours isn't bad at all. I really should just break away from the house for the weekend instead of trying to squeeze in the overnighters.

I'm over on the far west side by Lake Minnetonka, but if I cut out from work early on Friday's, I would be starting from St. Paul, cutting some time out and arriving early enough to make camp before it gets dark.... maybe. :-)

Canoearoo: "I won't be over there anytime soon. But there is plenty on information on the internet "

Yeah, tons of info to be found ... and I use the sat maps to narrow down my target areas, and save copies with pinned spots and notes. I was just being lazy and a little apprehensive about wandering off a mile or so down a trail I've not been on before, especially as the cold weather is closing in. It would be such a bummer to have to go back to the car and sleep because I didn't find a good camp spot before it got late. Woe is me, I know. :-)

tarnkt: "Check out lake Maria state park in Monticello."

I thought the state park make you buy firewood and closes in winter. I'll give the office a call and check again. They also manage Sand Dunes if I remember correctly.

I like different parks and forests to camp so adding Lake Maria would be cool. Farther north is the Walker area where we hunt so I know a couple back roads and trails but a little far in the context of this thread.

Who has any info on Chengwatana State Forest?

+1 on the Chequamegon National Forest near Hayward. Free dispersed camping anywhere.

GeneH: "Who has any info on Chengwatana State Forest? "

One thing to know about the State Forest system is that it is where the majority of off road vehicle use is allowed in Minnesota. If you are OK with it then no problem. If you don't want to be around it better check the maps and information on the the DNR website to help avoid it.

Another thing to know is that State Forests are often where local kids hang out, doing what they do. Will always remember driving up to a State forest trail head and finding a pile of burned tires left there from a party the night before. It was still smoking. They even left us a partially consumed case of beer...wonderful.

Chengwatana State Forest page

Chengwatana State Forest Off Road Vehicle Info

Statewide Map of ORV Trails in State Forests

I once tried to get in there via Beroun Crossing Road. I was stopped by water. Lots of it. Chengwatana is a very swampy State Forest.

one word of warning about Rum River State Forest: that place is really busy on the weekends this time of year. lots of people out hunting - make sure you wear some blaze orange if you head out there. even if you think you are out of the way there is always someone around. i wont even hunt there on the weekends anymore.

gkimball : "One thing to know about the State Forest system is that it is where the majority of off road vehicle use is allowed in Minnesota. If you are OK with it then no problem. Another thing to know is that State Forests are often where local kids hang out, doing what they do. "

inspector13: " Chengwatana is a very swampy State Forest. "

ChazzTheGnome: "...Rum River State Forest: that place is really busy on the weekends this time of year. lots of people out hunting ... i wont even hunt there on the weekends anymore. "

Thanks you guys for that. I'll avoid Rum River until the hunting season is pretty much over and maybe try it before everything turns to ice... you never know what the conditions are going to be. I do have my full coverage blaze orange, but really I won't be out during the November firearms unless actually in a park where hunting isn't allowed. - and then still in a blaze vest and cap.

Chengwatana might not be the best, being swampy. I prefer higher, drier ground, and less of the tall grass too, if I can find it because of tic's. We hunted some low ground, brushy tall grass stuff last fall and I've never seen so many of those tiny ticks in all my years hunting.

If I find gated logging roads where only a few ATV's go around the gates I'm fine with that - it's easy walking, and even better if I go when there's snow. I just head off the road to a nearby clearing or hill. Coincidently that's prime hunting ground too...