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

Mark R

Verified

October 8, 2025 Stayed at: 34, Loop: NPOI

5

Very clean and quiet camp. Friendly campground hosts.

Judy H

Verified

October 8, 2025 Stayed at: 25, Loop: NPOI

5

Awesome

Elliott H

Verified

October 7, 2025 Stayed at: 25, Loop: NPOI

5

We had site 25 which was very spacious and worked well for our lab. The 4 days we were there it was beautiful fall weather. Our hosts we very friendly and knowledgeable. These sites on the north side of Sandy lake are the most spacious but the outside sites are built up with the sides sloping down. The layout worked great for our popup and truck.

Marcia P

Verified

October 3, 2025 Stayed at: 47, Loop: NPOI

5

Beautiful well kept campground. Big spaces easy to back in or use drive through sites.

Wayne C

Verified

September 29, 2025 Stayed at: 48, Loop: NPOI

5

It was our first time here. We will be back. Very nice campground.

Janice V

Verified

September 28, 2025 Stayed at: 38, Loop: NPOI

5

We enjoyed our stay at Sandy Lake. The campground was lovely and the campsites are spaced out nicely.

Shawn H

Verified

September 21, 2025 Stayed at: 34, Loop: NPOI

3

We have been coming to Big Sandy Corp of Engineer campground for years and love it. The lake is so beautiful. The past few years the weeds have overgrown the marinas so you can't get your boats in and out and the docs are overtaken by the weeds. Now this year for the first time the lake was green and had smelly algae blooms. All the years we have been going there with water levels high, low never green water. It is disheartening to see. Not sure if the DNR is doing something our should be. in MN lakes are our most valuable resource.

Tammy and Wayne the hosts are the best. So freindly and helpful. The campground is nice.

Timothy D

Verified

September 16, 2025 Stayed at: 48, Loop: NPOI

4

Nice Facilities

Cheryl W

Verified

September 13, 2025 Stayed at: 48, Loop: NPOI

4

Nice quiet park

Ansil W

Verified

September 9, 2025 Stayed at: 26, Loop: NPOI

5

Love this place. Great place to relax and fish.

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

US Army Corps of Engineers Logo
Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers