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The best camping near Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood adventure.

100% (5 reviews)
100% (5 reviews)

Discover the natural splendor of Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest.  

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Community favorites near Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

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Top-rated campgrounds near Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest

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(304)

Belle Creek Bluff

3 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents28 acres ¡ Welch, MN
Belle Creek Bluff is on 28 acres of prime land in Welch. Belle Creek runs through the middle of the property. Walk, swim, paddle, fish and explore the this beautiful spring fed trout stream. There are a number of hiking trails on the property. Bordering state lands to the east of the property provide endless exploration and hiking adventures. Hike to the top of the bluff for a spectacular view of Welch valley and the ski hill. Hiking NE along Belle Creek can you spot the old model A truck along the banks? There are eagles, falcons, finches, and many colorful birds to see.
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$40
 / night
83%
(127)

Harbor Bar

12 sites ¡ RVs, TentsHager City, WI
Located at Harbor Bar across from Red Wing MN. said to be on one of the prettiest spots on the Mississippi river. Fish from shore in one of the best fisheries in the country. Full restaurant & bar with live music on weekends.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent along the banks of the mighty Mississippi river. bar, restaurant, outdoor music festivals, fishing. View pretty Red Wing from across the river. Located on one of the prettiest spots on the Mississippi river.
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$20
 / night
88%
(13)

Lionheart

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents36 acres ¡ Millville, MN
Our land is a unique find with a little bit of everything. With river access, you can enjoy swimming/water activities and wind down with the wildlife sounds and campfire crackle. We have a few standup paddle boards, and river tubes available to rent and farm fresh eggs to purchase and enjoy with your morning campfire breakfast. The best on the Zumbro! Come experience life outdoors on the river :)
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$39
 / night
100%
(1)

Larson's Landing

4 sites ¡ RVs, Tents170 acres ¡ MN
Larson's Landing is a breathtaking 170-acre oasis on Prairie Island, MN, where the Cannon, Mississippi, and Vermillion Rivers meet. Our paradise features stunning lakes and river valley bluffs, setting the stage for a journey of hope, healing, and celebration. With stunning lakes and picturesque river valley bluffs, it's the perfect retreat for those seeking a mix of tranquility, adventure, and personal growth. Adventure Awaits with Primitive Tenting Experience the great outdoors in its purest form with our primitive tenting spaces. Strategically located along the property's roads, you have the convenience of camping next to your vehicle. It's the ideal setting for adventurers and nature lovers craving an authentic escape. Engage in Nature's Best Activities Dive into a variety of outdoor pursuits right at your doorstep: Great Fishing: Cast your line into our lakes and rivers teeming with fish. Boating Bliss: Navigate the serene waters with your boat, kayak, or canoe. Nature Watching: Immerse yourself in the beauty of our diverse wildlife and lush landscapes. Nearby Entertainment: Only a 12-minute walk away, the nearby casino offers a blend of excitement and entertainment for those looking to try their luck. See you soon! Join Our Community of Healing and Celebration, or Just Visit! LarsonsLanding.Org
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$47
 / night
98%
(60)

Twin Folk Farms

3 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres ¡ Hager City, WI
Previously a 100 acre century farm, this fertile land was tended to by generations of old time farmers. Their dairy cows pastured in areas which we now graze sheep.  The restored quarry provided gravel for the nearby highway restoration and local projects.The property is currently a mix of hay ground, cropland, pasture, forest, and quarry. Twin sisters, Darla and Kayla, and their families live across the road from each other and own the surrounding 140 acres. They keep busy planting/tending trees, making hay, moving fence for grazing animals, operating a farm business called Twin Folk Farms (pastured meat, camps, etc), and raising their families.Learn more about this land:- This site is at the edge of a restored quarry, sheep pasture, and wooded hillside.- The site is tucked down a flat mowed path, so it feels very private and protected. - You can hike up a path to the sheep pasture. Sometimes sheep are there, sometimes elsewhere on the farm. You can hike the other direction and check out the restored quarry. We have paths all around the property, so feel free to respectfully explore.- You can't see the highway from this site, but you can hear it. It's super handy to be able to hop out of your campsite haven and onto the hwy, but be aware that you will hear vehicles.- There's a Mississippi river boat launch a few miles down the road, so feel free to park your boat at the bottom of the quarry driveway.- The Hay Creek riding trails are 25 minutes away, so contact us if you want to set up a place in the quarry to park your horses and trailer for the night. - We are certified to sell meat straight off of the farm (Twin Folk Farms), so contact us if you want to purchase your meat and have it delivered to your campsite. You can also set up a time to come up to the farm and purchase meat. - The beautiful, historic town of Red Wing is 10 minutes from our farm. You'll find a mix of modern amenities and historic shops to suit your fancy.
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$35
 / night
98%
(156)

The Double J

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents71 acres ¡ MN
Welcome to the Double J! Of the 71 acres we own, about half is tillable and the other half is woods and pastures for our horses. Within that, there is a beautiful secluded 3-acre meadow nestled down along along a beautiful 1,200 foot stretch of the Zumbro River where we have 5 spacious tent/RV campsites. While the campsites are all adjacent to each other along the river, they are each very spacious (the smallest being 100' wide and 75' deep), with some mature trees scattered around. Each sites (except Site #1) is able to accommodate up to 8 people and more than one tent or RV. There is a small meadow above all the sites where campers can play catch or other games. We provide and maintain a centrally located outhouse and keep the entire area mowed throughout the year. All sites offer great shade trees (perfectly spaced for hanging up a hammock) and access to the river - great for those hot summer days! Water activities to be enjoyed include fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and tubing (equipment not included). Some campers will drop in upstream at the Covered Bridge Park and float down to their campsite (Note there is a large log jam or two that will require portaging around). The Zumbro River, especially in the fishing hole, offers great fishing including Trout, Small-mouth, Red-horse, and an occasional Northern or Sauger. Campers are welcome to to meander out into our pasture to pet our two horses, Shiloh and Champ. Also, we are only 1.5 miles from town where you can visit Covered Bridge Park which has a Frisbee golf course and a nice play area for younger kids. Reserving adjacent sites, or all of the sites, makes for the ideal setting for a large family or group camp-out. In order to prevent overcrowding, we do reserve the right to limit number of sites, or campers per site based on overall parties/campers in the camping area. We will notify you if there are any limits prior to confirming your booking. We enjoy being able to share our property with others, and it is our desire to promote a safe, peaceful, family-friendly environment, therefore, be sure to note, we do have a NO ALCOHOL policy. PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to read the "RV Details" on the site information page as the road to the camping area may limit the type or size of RV due to a couple dips, a sharper curve, and it's steeper slope. Also, keep in mind, we reserve the right to cancel any reservations due to heavy rains or floods that may require our sites some additional time to dry out sufficiently. For updates and notice of last minute cancellations be sure to follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/DoubleJCamping Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions! We look forward to being able to serve you!
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$40
 / night
74%
(25)

Camp Crimson Turtle

4 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres ¡ Hastings, MN
Established by naturalists in the 1920's this parcel features a waterfront cabin (currently being restored), a two acre spring fed pond that is stocked with fish, a small stream and great privacy. We have had this as our family paradise and now we are sharing it with you! We now offer a bohemian wagon if you would prefer to get up off the ground! Available at site 1. Learn more about this land: 8 acres of wooded privacy. Spring fed 2 acre pond, fishing, swimming, boating. Clothing optional if total site is rented. Extremely private. Electric available upon request for site number 2, other sites are quite far from electric hook up. New toilet facilities available!! We now have a flush toilet and exterior shower available for use onsite.
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$75
 / night
100%
(46)

Prairie View Camp

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents80 acres ¡ Pepin, WI
Savanna Moon is a 80-acre homestead in western Wisconsin. Our vision is to create a village island within a vibrant matrix of wildness. We seek to enliven our spirits, restore the health and resilience of the land, and live sustainably. We are committed to preserving and restoring the unique plant and animal communities living in this Driftless region of the Midwest. The land is hilly with ravines (coulees), a small spring-fed creek and is close to the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers. Nights are star-filled and deliciously quiet. Learn more about this land: Enjoy the sweeping prairie and sunset views from your camping area.  We have a fire pit at each site for bonfires and there is a picnic table for cooking. Hike right from your tent onto 80 acres of prairie, woods and valley views. Lots of wildlife and wildflowers. Kayak the nearby Chippewa River. The campsites are located on a working homestead, complete with old farm house and gardens. Site 1, Bee Balm is relatively close to the house, shower and toilet, and Site 2, Oak Grove is farther from the house and facilities, but still only about 40 yards from facilities. If you are camping with a trailer we will set you up in the Bee Balm site as there is more space and better access.
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$45
 / night
100%
(1)

Serenity Valley

1 site ¡ Lodging20 acres ¡ Plum City, WI
This is 20 acres of Wisconsin’s beauty and relaxation away from any type of city life. This is off the grid living. There is no water or electricity. There is an outhouse. There is a lot of wildlife to watch while sitting on the wrap around porch on the 2015 build Amish cabin. There are raspberries and blackberries everywhere on the land in the summer months. We are planning to plant a garden in the spring to share with our guests. Inside, there is a loft with 2 double beds and downstairs there is a double bed, wood burning stove and sitting area. There is an outdoor fire pit for cooking. There are several hiking paths on the property. Around the area there are several lakes, cute/quaint shops and restaurants. I hope you enjoy our paradise as much as we do! We are asking for people to book a 3 day minimum.
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$130
 / night
99%
(688)

Prairie Creek Forest Campground

7 sites ¡ Tents60 acres ¡ Nerstrand, MN
Pitch your tent at one of our Walk-in campsites on 60 acres of forest or hilltop prairie along Prairie Creek in Rice County, MN. Explore the creeks, trails, forest, our enormous granite "split rock", a 60 acre county park featuring a waterfall and more trails, including a single track mountain bike course. That's 120 acres of exploring outside your tent; this campground truly offers a large amount of remote forest for recreation right on site. Big Woods State Park is less than 2 miles away. Faribault is 8 miles and Northfield is 9 miles from our driveway; they offer dining, boutiques, and all other amenities. Nerstrand is 4.5 miles east and has a gas station and a fantastic meat market. Numerous Cannon River put-ins are within 10 miles. Vehicles: Our main parking area by sites 1, 2, & 3 is easily accessible. The road to the secondary parking area beside site 4 is up a very steep hill. Kids under 16 camping with their parents do not count in pricing. Sites are priced for one tent, please let us know if you need to have more than one tent. A map of the land is in the photos and shows locations of sites, parking and more. All Sites are Walk-In! We have a cart you may use to haul gear in. Site 1 is near the creek. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table. Site 2 is in the pines. Approximately 200 feet from main parking area. Stone fire ring and grill grate, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 3 is by the creek. Approximately 300 feet from main parking area. Steel fire ring, steel grill ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. Site 4 is on the hilltop. Approximately 100 feet from the secondary parking area Steel fire ring with grill grate, stone fire ring, picnic table, this site has good hammock trees. This campground is managed by Stephen and Molly on land owned by he and his father Ted. In 1961, Ted's parents bought this farm. Over the years, the arable land has been sold but we retained the wooded area which is crossed twice by a stream. About 20 years ago, a 60 acre county park was created to the south and west. The property is bordered on two sides by this county park. When Ted was in high school, the family sold the dairy cows and started a bare bones horseback riding ranch using trails in these woods as riding trails.
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$25
 / night
100%
(55)

Golden Maple Camp, Trails & Biking

1 site ¡ Lodging60 acres ¡ Beldenville, WI
Our beautiful property has been farmed by our family for many years. We have enjoyed preserving the woods with our mountain biking trails turned snow shoe trails in the winter. The woods are full of golden maple trees which is where we got the name for our personal campground. Come visit to see for yourself! Learn more about En Gedi, your tent site: You'll be staying in a private safari tent overlooking a 100 year old maple tree above a secluded hollow in our woods. With access to over 2 miles of marked out mountain bike trails and hiking trails here on the property. Outhouse, picnic table, fire pit with 4 chairs and 4 cots are provided (2 extra large, 2 large), sheets and pillow provided for the 2 extra large cots. Drinking water is provided (2 gallon jug). Firewood is available for purchase ($5/ten pieces of wood). You can also use whatever has fallen in the woods. Located at the end of a well worn field road access you'll need to hike in if you have a low clearance vehicle. Its about .25 mile long hike with a 100' ascent. Access in 4x4 can be limited in wet and muddy weather. We also have access to a class A trout stream about 1 mile away to enjoy swimming, fishing and lounging. We are a short 10 minute drive to many great local activities like Whitetail mountain bike trail in River Falls or Kinnickinnick river kayaking. Fantastic local Forestville Winery is less then 2 miles away with great wine and food options. Add on an experience to your stay like mountain bike classes or feeding our baby cows! Get the full country experience while you're camping!
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$80
 / night
100%
(109)

Sassy Fox Acres

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents6 acres ¡ Beldenville, WI
Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Northern most part of the Driftless region, you can find yourself enjoying wildlife and a sky full of stars. Whether camping by tent or car, lying in a hammock or in the comforts of your camper, Sassy Fox Acres is a relaxing stay. You will see the native plants blowing in the breeze, bees buzzing, and birds chirping. Minutes from a fishing stream, lake access for kayaking, or a short distance away to some great bikes trails. Just 10 minutes from freeway access makes it a convenient stop for a quick overnight stay or weekend trip to explore the area. There is plenty to do in the area- So many yummy wineries, breweries, and restaurants in the area. Fire wood, eggs, produce and more is available for purchase on site. I give campers as much privacy as possible. I check in with you through Hipcamp when you book and then again after you arrive to ensure your needs are being met. If you would like to meet in person and share some of your favorite places to stay across the country, I would welcome that. I love to camp too! If you want the place to yourself, have a unique request, or have questions- please reach out! I like to say yes if I can. I have 3 rustic sites located on my 6 acre property. Each site is private, but you may see in the distance or hear others. Each site has its own firepit and picnic table, along with posts for hanging a hammock.
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$26
 / night

The best camping near Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest guide

Overview

About

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest. Phew, that’s a mouthful! Albeit not nearly the mouthful that is the list of available outdoor activities to do here. With five major rivers within the forest boundaries, what do you expect? Water trails abound, as do a wide variety of birds, making this one of the state’s premiere bird-watching areas.

As you walk through the forest, you’re almost guaranteed to see a few members of the local wildlife. You’ll also see interesting plants, and even more interesting fungi. The puffball mushroom couldn’t be more appropriately named. With a diameter measured in feet instead of inches, it looks like a giant marshmallow growing out of the ground! If not for anything else, make a trip to the forest just to lay your eyes on one of these bad boys. However, you’d be missing out big time if you called it quits there, because RJDMHSF (even the abbreviation is a mouthful!) has so much more to offer than just fluffy white mushrooms. So we won’t keep you any longer—it’s high time you started loading up the car!

Notable campgrounds

  • Walter Stark Horse Campground – A haven for equestrian lovers with trails winding through lush hardwoods.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Book early to secure your spot at the popular Walter Stark Horse Campground.
  • Visit during weekdays for better availability and a quieter experience.
  • Check for cancellations regularly as plans change and spots may open up.
  • Explore nearby camping options for alternative accommodations when the campground is full.

When to go

The forest is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit is from late spring to early fall when the weather is mild and the trails are most accessible. Winter brings a quiet beauty, though some areas may be less accessible due to snow.

Know before you go

  • Check the forest's website for the latest updates on road and campsite improvements.
  • Heavy machinery may be operating in certain areas; heed all safety signs.
  • Ensure you have a valid vehicle permit for park entry.
  • Be prepared for varying weather conditions and dress accordingly.
  • Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the forest's natural beauty.

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