I caught a permit for Cross Bay Lake in early August. Driving up from Iowa and would like to camp the night before (LNT, of course) near the entry point, so as to get an early start to get a bit away from possible entry area crowding... I have some other dispersed camping sites marked on my SNF map, but not for this stretch of the Gunflint. If anyone knows potential site(s) in this area, I would be much obliged. PM response is fine, too.

There are 4 sites on Ham Lake which is outside the BWCA. You enter Ham Lake after your second portage.

Thanks, yes: I saw those, but was thinking, what happens if I load and go in there and all of those sites are camped on... (it will be late in the day, after my drive). Guess I could work up off the lake into the woods and do a dispersed camp, there. Not sure that the rules allow dispersed camp on the water in the SNF.... At least, solo, I need only minimal footprint.

There looks to be some potential spots to disperse car camp just a mile to two west of the Seagull Guard Station in the burn zone. That would be 4 miles north of your EP parking lot. Check out the satellite view. Last time I was up on the trail I did not explore that loop road, but now I’m curious.

Unless you want a previously used place, there are lots of places to just pull off the trail and park. SNF rules regarding dispersed camping: basically stay away from road, trail and developed campsites. I'd reccommend staying clear of places near active gravel pits and USFS forest work (can call ranger station for current updates on trucks hauling). If you get to Ham Lake really late, just shut off the engine, climb in back and wait for 12:01 am. :)

Here's the statement: "Dispersed camping is camping in the general forest area. You may set up camp anywhere so long as you are not within certain distances from developed areas. This means you may not set up a dispersed campsite within a developed campground or adjacent to it, or on a road, or on a trail."

Here's the link:
dispersed camping SNF

I have been doing this quite a bit more this summer because of the closure of the "primitive" camp areas, (some of) which are now blocked off with sawhorses and patrolled. I park off the road (not on the road or side of the road, but off the road), and hike back at least 200 (70 strides) from the road. Why? I don't know. I guess because it's what you do when near the water. Hammock, gas stove if stove at all, whistle, mace. I don't sleep as well as when I'm in the BWCA, but it is what it is...

Kimball Lake Campground is now open. It is about 10 miles down the GFT and has 10 sites.
It has water
$16 per night

Thank you all! Yep, these are different times, but if I can drive up and back with minimal contacts and get a bit on the water... that is a welcome gift. My one other trip this summer was a slow hike on the Sioux Hustler trail in late June/ early July. The heat kicked my butt, though I saw no one after a Monday until Friday; probably cause most other folks have enough sense to stay off the trail in that heat... I drove home on the night of July 4, after coming off the trail about 2 pm and guzzling a bottle of water I bought in Cook. Saw fireworks over all the different towns south of MSP on 35, as I went along... that was something.

Have fun Ray. Dick J and I are going into some St of Wisconsin land in August which he knows about in No Wisconsin which is not promoted so we are hoping for some solitude. That will be my first trip of the year.

You too, John: have a great trip. N Wisconsin has some beautiful country.