Sandy Lake
The Sandy Lake Dam and Recreation Area is situated at the outlet of Big Sandy Lake in northern Minnesota, 13 miles north of McGregor, MN. The dam is a part of the Mississippi Headwaters Project, one of the first reservoir systems in the country, and the Sandy Lake Dam structure dates back to 1895. Today the grounds have been developed into a park and campground that is noted for its clean, family-friendly environment and access to fishing and boating on both the lake and nearby Mississippi River. It offers the only public campground and beach on Big Sandy Lake.
More like this: electric hookups in Minnesota · reservable in Minnesota · big rigs in Minnesota · pets allowed in Minnesota · group sites in Minnesota
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 49 |
| Walk-in | 8 |
| group standard electric | 2 |
| Cabins with electric | 1 |
| group shelter electric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 92 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
61 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | NPOI | Electric | Back-in | 49 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 23 | NPOI | Electric | Pull-through | 47 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 24 | NPOI | Electric | Back-in | 52 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 25 | NPOI | Electric | Pull-through | 37 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 26 | NPOI | Electric | Pull-through | 56 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 27 | NPOI | Electric | Pull-through | 48 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 28 | NPOI | Electric | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 29 | NPOI | Electric | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | Full | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 30 | NPOI | Electric | Back-in | 72 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | Yes / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 31 | NPOI | Electric | Pull-through | 42 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 92 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites Camper Cabin, 14, GRPSHL are listed accessible |
This recreation area and campground offers a variety of facilities with water access to Big Sandy Lake and the Sandy & Mississippi rivers. The campground features 43 single family sites, five double family sites and two group sites - all with electric hookups. Eight primitive walk-to tent sites (four of which have electrical hookups), a camper cabin with bunk beds and a day-use group picnic shelter are also available. The campground is divided by the Sandy Lake Dam into a north and south side, each with separate vehicle access roads. Only pedestrian traffic is permitted across the dam. Amenities include flush and vault restrooms, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station. Day use facilities are intertwined within the campground and contain two lake boat ramps, one river boat ramp, docks, a fishing pier, beach, playgrounds and a short hiking trail. Campsites 22-49, tent sites 5-8, the north group campsite, and the camper cabin can be accessed via the “North Entrance”.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
22205 531st Lane McGregor, MN 55760. Take Highway 65 for 13 miles north of McGregor, Minnesota. *Follow "South Entrance" signs for campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and south group campsite. *Follow "North Entrance" signs for campsites 22-49, tent sites 5-8, north group campsite, and camper cabin.
| Nearest town | Mcgregor, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46.7883° N, 93.3283° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and the south group campsite are accessed via the “South Entrance”.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Wildlands Gear Exchange ↗ | 32.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Oak Lake RV Sales & Service ↗ | 36.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Sandy Lake Campground Review | McGregor Minnesota (Army Corps of Engineers)
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
Big Sandy Lake is a reservoir that was created in the late nineteenth century from the waters of a naturally exisiting lake and the Sandy River. A forest of mixed hardwoods and towering red and white pine covers the area. An abundance of wildlife can be found including bald eagles, white-tail deer, black bears, chipmunks, loons, mink, river otters and many others. Wild rice is harvested from the lake seasonally and wild berries are occasionally found.
Recreation
Sandy Lake offers many recreational opportunities including camping, boating, swimming, picnicking, birding and hiking. Anglers enjoy fishing the lake and river for Northern pike, walleye, small mouth bass, bluegill, crappie and even catfish. Playgrounds are located on both sides of the dam and are located near the beach and visitor museum areas. The old lock house has been converted into a free small museum containing historical artifacts from the area. Educational programs are offered seasonally and are open to the public.
Nearby
Nearby attractions include golf courses, shopping and dining venues, Savannah Portage State Park, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and many acres of state and county forest land.
Guidebooks for Minnesota
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Sandy Lake?
Sites at Sandy Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sandy Lake?
Check-in 1:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Sandy Lake have?
61 sites, including 49 standard sites with power, 8 walk-in sites, 2 group standard electric, and 1 cabin with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sandy Lake?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Sandy Lake have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Sandy Lake?
Amenities include flush and vault restrooms, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Sandy Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sandy Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sandy Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Sandy Lake?
Sites Camper Cabin, 14, and GRPSHL are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Sandy Lake?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Sandy Lake?
Sandy Lake offers many recreational opportunities including camping, boating, swimming, picnicking, birding and hiking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sandy Lake?
Mcgregor, Minnesota. Nearby attractions include golf courses, shopping and dining venues, Savannah Portage State Park, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and many acres of state and county forest land.
Source: Getting there