Planning first trip to northwoods - I've been an active reader on here for a couple years and have gained vast info and have started a few threads which I will print out. Here may be my biggest obstacle...

This will be my retirement trip (teacher) and travelling solo from SE MO. I plan to pull a Mypod trailer, a 12' teardrop camper, small, basically a bed on wheels (giving up the tent camping). I will carry my tent a do a overnight canoe trip for the BWCA experience. For the majority of time, I plan to camp out of my truck and camper. I plan to take my time, as long as a month. I am finding that free, dispersed camping is rare. I can't afford to pay $20+ per night for a month. I plan to keep on the move, and spend a few days when I get to a spot I like. I will probably hit the resorts every few days for a night w/shower, shave, and a few supplies.
On another thread, someone suggested a map from USFS for Superior National Forest with all roads and "dispersed camping" sites. I think these sites are in the middle of the woods not near water. But I plan to mail off for the map. I am just finding it hard to believe that with all the lakes, there don't appear to be many free/cheap dispersed camping sites for car camping. Guess I am spoiled with Missouri's streams with free/$5-10 camping where you can pull right up to the riverbank and stay for up to 14 days and nobody bothers you.
Is there perhaps many dispersed camping sites known to locals that aren't on maps? People on another thread told me of a couple accesses that people camped for free out of their cars, but only a couple. I got the impression that it just isn't allowed outside of the resorts. I understand that the resorts need to make money, but I can't afford $20-30 per night for very long.
I will want to be on the water and fishing, and not sitting in the middle of the woods.
I guess I don't expect anyone to give away their honey spot, but are free/cheap car camping sites few and far between??? Maybe a personal message if you want to share a spot with someone passing thru one time??LOL Any help appreciated. Thanks, Mark

Purchase the USFS Superior National Forest map and refer to there web site. Many good free campgrounds. One of my favorite pay campgrounds is Two Island lake. I would concentrate on the area just west of the Gunflint trail.

Mark follow the link, any campgrounds that say "Rustic" are free and have latrines and picnic tables. There are many around Isabella, Hogback and Section 29 Lake are beauties.

Cloquet Lake, about 10 miles south of Isabella is a beauty, you can camp on the lake and you may go a day without seeing anyone, (Its in the sticks).

When you get the Superior NF map look for the person carrying a canoe over thier head "Icon" these lakes are canoe accessible but have no landing for a boat.
(Edit, you cannot camp at entry points to the BWCA, these also have the canoe Icon)ou can dispersed camp at these sites, there are many just northwest of Isabella. Beetle Lake is a nice one.
Homestead Lake (Just west of Hogback Lake) has some nice dispersed sites on it, the only rub is you are right next to a gravel road that gets a fair amount of use.

Isabella has alot to offer for your needs, I worked for the USFS there for 3 years, you can get a shower at the Knotted Pine Inn and Tavern, it has a bunk house with showers, I believe they will let you simply get a shower if you want.

The campgrounds that say "Rustic" are free

Here's the info on the Minnesota state forests:

Camping in Minnesota state forests

Right now, buy a copy of the Northeast edition of the Minnesota All-Outdoors Atlas ... and a magnifying lens. ;-)

Minnesota All-Outdoors Atlas

Thanks. all, any and all appreciated.

Even dispersed camping regs say you must camp on existing camp sites. The ones suggested seemed grouped close together. Would appreciate more scattered ones, interested in whole area.

We do dispersed camping a lot in Montana so I'm pretty familiar with the rules on National Forest land. Dispersed camping is allowed on most Superior National Forest lands outside of the BWCAW boundaries. You do not have to camp in existing sites, although practically speaking much of the woods in northern MN is thick and you will probably want to find an existing site/clearing near the road. The rules for dispersed camping are on the last page of this flyer . The rules say you aren't supposed to build fire rings, so you will have to find one that someone already built to follow the rules.

What I would recommend, as this is what I do when visiting a new area of National Forest, is spending some time exploring the forest roads listed on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps that are available for free from the forest website. Look for some good campsites and make note of where they are. You may want to drop the trailer at a trailhead parking lot while doing this because some roads might not have good turnaround spots and you never really know the condition of these roads until you drive them. In addition to the maps I highly recommend the OnX Hunt app, which allows you to download land ownership and forest road maps so you can make sure you don't accidentally camp on private property. Finding the dispersed campsites is part of the adventure, you likely won't find any comprehensive list of where to find them.

Also, it is true that most sites won't be on the water. Most roads won't be near the water for the majority of their length either. This is mainly a matter of practicality, Minnesota lakes tend to have a lot of low lying and swampy areas near them which make for bad road building.

For a free spot next to a lake you can try Whitefish lake and Toohey lake. Free sites, nice lakes. From there it's easy to explore as recommended above.

Bumping up.... appears that all suggestions are for eastern Toohey/Grand Marias area. Good! But I intend to make my way west to Ely area and north. Suggestions appreciated. It would be wonderful to hop scotch across the area from east to west without much expense for camping. AND not opposed to staying the occasion night somewhere near a beer and burger place near a town.

Mark, I have done some checking and there just doesn't seem to be a lot of free(Rustic) campgrounds in the Ely area. Sawbill trail/Tofte areas and Isabella area there is a fair amount. Maybe do as much free camping on the eastern part of the trip and save a few paid(still pretty cheap) nights as you get closer to Ely.

If you are 62 or older you can get a Senior Pass (It used to be called a Golden Age Passport). It now costs $80 but it is a lifetime pass. It gets you in to most National Parks and other federal rec. areas for free and you get campsites for half price. Even at $80 you would pay for it in a short time.

WHendrix: "If you are 62 or older you can get a Senior Pass (It used to be called a Golden Age Passport). It now costs $80 but it is a lifetime pass. It gets you in to most National Parks and other federal rec. areas for free and you get campsites for half price. Even at $80 you would pay for it in a short time. "

I also encourage Mark1 to make this investment. Likely, he will appreciate the Senior Pass (lifetime) cost vs savings in about 10 days of non-freebie campsites. Half price at USFS campgrounds is a chunk of savings.

Good idea! I'm only 60 but will definitely get one at 62!!

Sure would like some free camp sites on the western side.

Stumbled on this site last nite and seems to have some really good information on free camping in northern MN. Unfortunately still a decided lack of it in the Ely area but plenty both east and west of there.

Just a thought, after you have checked out the eastern area and sites, just blow right by Ely and head to the Nashwauk/Togo area. There are many beautiful rustic campgrounds that used to be free but are now $14 per night. Check out George Washington State Forest.

Also many more north of Grand Rapids.

Site is called free sites but times have changed, many are now $14

You could always take the summer, and work for one of the outfitters. I think they provide lodging, and you could explore the boundary waters, and surrounding SNF on your off days. Then you'll have a little spending money for paid sites on your off days.

If you have utilities you have to pay at home, there are websites where you allow someone to house sit, and in some cases, negotiate for them to pay the utilities, and/or watch your pets etc.