OutReserve

Sandy Lake

Sandy Lake Campground Docks
Winter Sunrise at Sandy Lake
Sandy Lake Dam Downstream
Tent Campsite
Winter at the Sandy Lake Dam

Featured amenities

Playground

About 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.

Number of accommodations: 60

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 1 to Oct 14

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

60 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: SPOI
Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 02, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 03, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 05, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 10, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 11, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 12, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 13, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 15, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 16, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 17, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 27, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 28, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 29, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 30, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 31, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 32, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 33, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 34, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 35, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 36, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 37, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 38, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 39, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 40, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 41, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 42, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 43, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 44, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 45, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 46, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 47, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 48, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 49, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🏠 Camper Cabin, Loop: NPOI
7 guests · Campfire
Price not available
🚐 N-GROU, Loop: NPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 S-GROU, Loop: SPOI
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
Tent 1, Loop: SPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 2, Loop: SPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 3, Loop: SPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 4, Loop: SPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 5, Loop: NPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 6, Loop: NPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 7, Loop: NPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
Tent 8, Loop: NPOI
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available

Reviews (187)

What Guests Are Saying

Sandy Lake is praised for its clean facilities, friendly hosts, and beautiful natural surroundings, making it a great spot for family camping and relaxation. Many appreciate the spacious campsites, modern restrooms, and enjoyable fishing and hiking opportunities. While some sites can be tricky to access and there are occasional issues with bugs and overcrowding, overall, visitors express a strong desire to return.

Review Summary

4.4
187 reviews
5
62.6%
117
4
23.0%
43
3
9.6%
18
2
3.7%
7
1
1.1%
2

Saul S

Verified

September 15, 2023 Stayed at: 23, Loop: NPOI

4

Sandy Lake was a great spot. We stayed several days. The trees need trimming. We stayed in #23 and had branches hitting our roof. Never a good thing. Last night there, there were some power issues. One leg was dropping to 104. Not good. Offered a different site, but checked power there first and it was same. Same on next site. Power came back up to 106 and so our rig ran fine. We just used one ac, instead of two. The park is clean. The patrons respectful. Kids were having a ball. There was a "treasure" hunt for medallions one day. Hubby and I looked and weren't successful in finding any. :) It was a fun activity. Places to keep your boat. Boat ramps. Kayaks. Canoes. Great stay and we would return!

Scott B

Verified

September 14, 2023 Stayed at: 23, Loop: NPOI

4

Great campground! Beautiful location, great amenities, very helpful staff and hosts. Loved the info about historical connections.

lori f

Verified

September 13, 2023 Stayed at: 19, Loop: SPOI

4

Enjoyed the easy access in taking our kayak out onto the Mississippi River. Very friendly hosts!

Karen L

Verified

September 4, 2023 Stayed at: 49, Loop: NPOI

4

The place was clean. The volunteers were marvelously helpful. The facilities and amenities were very nice: Showers. Laundry. Biking paths. Fishing docks. History info signs and little museum. Multiple water hookups. Dump station. Playground. Fire pits. Spacious sites.
There were 4 sites booked for our group. We all were impressed and pleased.
Definitely worth repeating.

Holly L

Verified

August 31, 2023 Stayed at: Tent 4, Loop: SPOI

5

The walk-in tent sites are wonderful. They are spacious and have the best views.

Kevin J

Verified

August 29, 2023 Stayed at: 11, Loop: SPOI

1

I absolutely loved the campground itself. However, we filled our clean water tank at the park, and the water was green and smelled of sulfur. We had drain our tank and sanitize it. We had to rewash all of our dishes and even though we didn't, we thought about washing all of our laundry again. Really ashame because it's such a nice park.

Jeff R

Verified

August 23, 2023 Stayed at: 26, Loop: NPOI

3

The campgrounds were clean and our site was very nice. The biggest issue we had were the number of dogs barking. We had a neighbor across the road that left their two dogs alone in their trailer for a few hours, which made our visit unpleasant.

William H

Verified

August 17, 2023 Stayed at: 27, Loop: NPOI

4

Enjoyed our stay after the 2 yr shutdown. Beautiful site location, site 27. Problem is that it's a long way to restrooms and showers.

Laura K

Verified

August 17, 2023 Stayed at: 25, Loop: NPOI

5

Clean campground with plenty of recreational opportunities to keep the whole family busy! Appreciated the tar roads for kids to ride bike or to push our 5 month old in the stroller.
Campground hosts were amazing!
Only 'negative' is not having plumbed in toilets and showers on the north side. Pit toilets are an experience with a 3 year old.

Stanley E

Verified

August 14, 2023 Stayed at: 25, Loop: NPOI

4

Clean, friendly staff, good amenities. The south campground is a bit tight for campers. We have a 25 foot trailer and were barely able to get in and out.

Location Sandy Lake

Address:
22205 531 St Lane
McGregor, MN, 55760
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 46.7883 / -93.3283

Elevation: 376 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 3, 2026

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