East Gemmell Ridge Forest Road angles 8 miles southeast through southern Pine Island State Forest, from its signed junction with West Gemmell Ridge Forest Road to the west end of Caldwell Forest Road. The drive threads young aspen regeneration, shaded canopy tunnels, and stands of mature red and white pine, and midway the road crosses Dinner Creek, a dark little stream meandering through an open sedge meadow beside the roadbed.
Pine Island is Minnesota’s largest state forest — 900,153 acres of pine “islands” amid the peatlands left by glacial Lake Agassiz — and its roads carry the DNR’s “managed” motor-vehicle classification: highway-licensed vehicles may drive any forest road not posted closed, and ATVs are allowed on roads, routes, and designated trails. Dispersed camping is allowed on state forest land at least a mile outside campground areas at no fee, up to 14 days in summer. Watch for logging trucks and heavy equipment; the DNR posts road status weekly (road-conditions line: 218-888-9050).
Rules for this place
Camping away from a developed campground in a state forest is allowed under the DNR’s dispersed camping rules, which set how far from water, from a designated site and for how long. In a state forest the DNR’s state forest rules apply: firearms unloaded and cased near campgrounds, picnic areas and parking lots, and forest roads open to off-highway vehicles unless they are posted closed. This is public land open to hunting in season under the Minnesota hunting and trapping regulations.
Verified 2026-09-07. Rules change; check the official page before you go.
