Sandpoint, ID to Chicago and Back. June 2017

[Sandpoint Steve]

Ok, in mid-June We’ll be headed from North Idaho to Chicago and back. My thought was to hit some National parks and friends along the way. As much fun as paying $10-$30 a night in camping is, I was hoping to get some suggestions from locals along the way for free spots that are not too far off the main road. So, I’m looking for camping spot locations near the following places:

1. East Yellowstone

2. Mt. Rushmore

3. Maplewood State Park, Minnesota

4. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

5. Beavertail Hill State Park, Montana

Any Suggestions?

We’ll be in the 4Runner and should be pretty self-sufficient, you know Overland style.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Daniel Etter]

I'll pm some info on places in the Black Hills and Badlands in SD when I get a chance.

 

[Daniel Etter]

@Sandpoint Steve just pm'd some info on South Dakota!

 

[The other Sean]

In MN, unless you can get in to a state or national forest, your "free" camping spots are going to be limited. If you can find a local who knows the fire roads, you can luck out, but, that is hard to do as one county handles their fire roads different from the next. Most of the state forests are in the upper east portion of the state.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/map.html

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/index.html

With that said, Every MN state park I have visited has been great. My wife and I actually have a goal to visit all 67 state parks.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/map.html

 

[Captain Chaos]

Steve, let me know your planned route through Minnesota. I may know some spots and people along the way that may help out.

 

[Sandpoint Steve]

Steve, let me know your planned route through Minnesota. I may know some spots and people along the way that may help out.

Minnesota is the one spot we have covered. We'll be visiting friends in Fairmont. Thanks!