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

Featured amenities

Playground Playground

Available sites

60 total sites

About Sandy Lake

The Sandy Lake Dam and Recreation Area is situated at the outlet of Big Sandy Lake in northern Minnesota, 13 mi 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.

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 closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Playground 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 RV
Pet Friendly · 52 × 35 ft · Gravel
🚐 02, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 44 × 37 ft
🚐 03, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 40 × 34 ft
🚐 04, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 31 × 27 ft
🚐 05, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 35 × 29 ft
🚐 06, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 32 × 26 ft
🚐 07, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 27 ft long
🚐 08, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 24 ft long
🚐 09, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 19 ft long
🚐 10, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 25 × 36 ft
🚐 11, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 27 ft long
🚐 12, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 33 × 28 ft
🚐 13, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 35 × 28 ft
🚐 14, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 41 × 33 ft
🚐 15, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 53 ft
🚐 16, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 42 ft
🚐 17, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 44 ft
🚐 18, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 58 × 43 ft
🚐 19, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 58 × 43 ft
🚐 20, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 28 ft
🚐 21, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 40 × 32 ft
🚐 22, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 49 ft long
🚐 23, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 47 × 29 ft
🚐 24, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 × 35 ft
🚐 25, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 37 ft long
🚐 26, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 56 × 33 ft
🚐 27, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 48 × 30 ft
🚐 28, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 53 × 36 ft
🚐 29, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 58 × 32 ft
🚐 30, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 72 × 43 ft
🚐 31, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 42 × 31 ft
🚐 32, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 75 × 34 ft
🚐 33, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 66 × 32 ft
🚐 34, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 80 × 36 ft
🚐 35, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 39 × 45 ft
🚐 36, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 40 × 36 ft
🚐 37, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 76 × 40 ft
🚐 38, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 60 × 32 ft
🚐 39, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 68 × 30 ft
🚐 40, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 30 × 32 ft
🚐 41, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 28 ft
🚐 42, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 73 × 32 ft
🚐 43, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 61 × 26 ft
🚐 44, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 52 × 41 ft
🚐 45, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 72 × 27 ft
🚐 46, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 54 × 34 ft
🚐 47, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 65 × 35 ft
🚐 48, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 45 × 33 ft
🚐 49, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 69 × 30 ft
🏠 Camper Cabin, Loop: NPOI Cabin
7 guests
🚐 N-GROU, Loop: NPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 92 × 32 ft
🚐 S-GROU, Loop: SPOI RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · 78 × 54 ft
⛺ Tent 1, Loop: SPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ Tent 2, Loop: SPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ Tent 3, Loop: SPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ Tent 4, Loop: SPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Yes shade
⛺ Tent 5, Loop: NPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ Tent 6, Loop: NPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ Tent 7, Loop: NPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade
⛺ Tent 8, Loop: NPOI Tent
Pet Friendly · Campfire · Full shade

Reviews (273)

What Guests Are Saying

Sandy Lake is a well-maintained campground with clean facilities, friendly staff, and a variety of activities, making it a favorite for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The large, quiet sites and beautiful surroundings enhance the camping experience, while the convenient access to boating and swimming is a significant plus. Some visitors noted issues with campsite proximity and minor facility improvements, but the overall atmosphere is inviting and enjoyable.

Review Summary

4.5
273 reviews
5
64.5%
176
4
21.6%
59
3
9.9%
27
2
3.3%
9
1
0.7%
2

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.

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.

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.

Denis S

Verified

August 14, 2023 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: NPOI

5

Nice lot. We camped with our RV in the lower camping area. We were only here for 2 nights. Check in is 1pm and check out is noon. Campground is clean. We kayaked the rivers (Sandy and Missisippi). Nice access right from the campground. Rivers were calm. Recommend bringing a mat for in front of your camper as the area we were in didn't have a lot of grass. We will camp here again.

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 ft trailer and were barely able to get in and out.

Steven J

Verified

August 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 11, Loop: SPOI

5

The south side campsites (by the shower building) are short but still very nice and you have your own "private" dock on the lake. Nice atmosphere with playground for kids and a sandy beach (they didn't catch any fish though :( The restrooms/showers are kept very clean.

Loretta D

Verified

August 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 26, Loop: NPOI

5

Such a lovely area, our group has vacationed here 4 times now, we love Big Sandy! ❤️

Alicia L

Verified

August 7, 2023 • Stayed at: Tent 4, Loop: SPOI

5

Great spot! Plenty of boat slips to park and camp.

Location & Directions for Sandy Lake

22205 531 St Lane, McGregor, MN 55760 United States

Elevation: 376 ft

Getting There

<p>22205 531st Lane McGregor, MN 55760</p>
<p>Take Highway 65 for 13 mi north of McGregor, Minnesota.  </p>
<p><strong>*Follow "South Entrance" signs for campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and south group campsite.</strong></p>
<p><strong>*Follow "No...

Nearest town

McGregor, MN - 13 mi

About 14 min to downtown

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore McGregor, MN

Population: 367

Nearby city: Duluth, MN

Approx. 58 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 1,230 ft

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Managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers
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