Sandy Lake
Mississippi River Headwaters - 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. The area is also a part of the historic canoe route that connected the Mississippi River to Lake Superior and major fur trading companies. Artifacts from the area's long history are kept in a small museum located near the dam.
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.
NOTE: Campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and the south group campsite are accessed via the “South Entrance”. Campsites 22-49, tent sites 5-8, the north group campsite, and the camper cabin can be accessed via the “North Entrance”.
Need to Know
- Firewood is NOT available within the park. All firewood brought into the park must be certified pest free in accordance with the US Army Corps of Engineeers Firewood Policy. For more information please contact park staff at 651-290-5850 or email sandy.lake@usace.army.mil.
- ATV/UTV's, golf carts, and motorized scooters are not permitted within the park.
Please keep all vehicles and camping equipment off the grass.
*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.
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.
Nearby Attractions
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.
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.
Contact Information
Mailing
22205 531ST LANE MCGREGOR MN 55760
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 651-290-5850
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
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.
If you need assistance finding your campsite, follow "South Entrance" signs to the campground office.
Available Campsites
- Site 27, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 30, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 41, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 35, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Tent 3, Loop SPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 17, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 31, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 13, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 48, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 10, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Tent 7, Loop NPOI, Type Walk To
- Site Tent 1, Loop SPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 47, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 33, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 12, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 32, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site S-GROU, Loop SPOI, Type Group Standard Electric
- Site Tent 4, Loop SPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 45, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Tent 2, Loop SPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 25, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 22, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 11, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 01, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 26, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 34, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Tent 8, Loop NPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 20, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 02, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 49, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 38, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 16, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 04, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 40, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Tent 6, Loop NPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 14, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 37, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 24, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 03, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site GRPSHL, Loop SREC, Type Group Shelter Electric
- Site 15, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 28, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 05, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site N-GROU, Loop NPOI, Type Group Standard Electric
- Site 18, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Camper Cabin, Loop NPOI, Type Cabin Electric
- Site 23, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 29, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 43, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site Tent 5, Loop NPOI, Type Walk To
- Site 08, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 21, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 46, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 39, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 19, Loop SPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 44, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 42, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
- Site 36, Loop NPOI, Type Standard Electric
