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

Jessica B

Verified

June 10, 2023 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: NPOI

5

Great place to stay. Great fishing and a fun to just relax by the fire. Quiet at quiet hour.

Keith B

Verified

June 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: SPOI

4

staff was terrific, we love that in site 20 we can get our long camper in, bathroom are so nice and clean and the place is wonderful, the only thing that sucked is the Mosquito's and that was not your fault at all, we were lucky that we did have a screen tent that we used to get away from them, but thats what happens when we live in minnesota and want to be outdoors we love big sandy

Peggy A

Verified

June 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 01, Loop: SPOI

5

We love camping here! Our campsite was roomy and well taken care of. The fire pits are cleaned out and campsite is raked after each guest leaves. The bathroom facilities are clean. Having a free washer and dryer for our use was certainly a plus! The volunteers were amazing and helpful for any of our needs. There are activities for the kids planned by the Rangers. The lake is beautiful for recreating and fishing. The swimming beach is large and plenty of sandy area for swimming, sunbathing, or playing. I would highly recommend this facility! It never disappoints!

Craig M

Verified

June 17, 2023 • Stayed at: Camper Cabin, Loop: NPOI

5

Clean comfy and out of the rain.

janet d

Verified

June 20, 2023 • Stayed at: 35, Loop: NPOI

2

Poor to fair experience this time at Sandy Lake Federal campground. The water was high, and mosquitoes were very bad, also the docks were somewhat underwater and limited to where you could put your boat on the water. All these things were sort of expected with the water being that high, however the People that are contracted to mow the park were very careless while mowing the camping sights. First of all, they were going too fast and not caring how much gravel and dust they shot up at campers. One young Guy was mowing on the slant of the road and his mower shot a rock thru our camper window, shattering it, as I sat just across the table from that window. We are currently getting the window fixed, and we were told by the mowing co. that they would pay for all repairs to the window, however we were back for our second reservation at big Sandy, and the same company came and mowed, being even more careless in how they were mowing. skidding around corners, throwing rocks and sand at campers, with no respect to campers, trucks, and even worse to the people sitting by their campers. We talked with Hunter Simonson, who was very understanding on our part. Hopefully, you will see fit to replace who will be mowing at this park, and get someone who has the sense to be careful around people, their pets, and camping rigs.

Randall R

Verified

June 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: SPOI

5

Super clean campsite, excellent boat launch & nice fish-cleaning facility

janet d

Verified

June 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: NPOI

2

My Husband an I had made this reservation with relatives. Our last camping experience here was not too favorable, as we had a window shot out of our camper by the people mowing the grounds. This time the same people were mowing, in a very careless way, going fast, I am sure just to get it done, with no care for the people camping. Going over rocky ground with the dust and rocks flying everywhere.
I have to say that the Ranger, and all the volunteer help are very nice and informative. We enjoyed visiting with them and the other campers.
But, please get someone else to do the mowing in this campground. In our view, and from our experiences, these people from Deer River that do it now, are not the type of people that should be mowing at this park.

Ken B

Verified

June 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 48, Loop: NPOI

4

This campground is great but the mosquitos were terrible! The spring high water eliminated the power at the docks and there have not yet been any repairs.

Dennis P

Verified

June 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 48, Loop: NPOI

4

We have been going to this campground for many years. We were unable to go thr past couple since it was closed. The only issue is Mosquitoes they are bad here with the river and lake. Otherwise the campsites, restrooms, and other facilities are immaculate.
Remember to get you firewood locally as they do not sell fireworks at the campground.

Don H

Verified

June 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: NPOI

3

Enjoyed our vist. But camp site 29 should be closed. The eagles nest made it impossible to sit outside. Our trailer and our pickup were covered in eagle droppings. Disappointed in this one site. Otherwise a very nice campground.

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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