Sandy Lake
Sandy Lake is an Army Corps of Engineers campground in Minnesota. Hookups: electric & water.
- Type
- Army Corps of Engineers campground
- Location
- Minnesota
- Coordinates
- 46.78833, -93.32833
- Hookups
- Electric & Water
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Canoeing, Day Use Area, Fishing, Hiking, Historic & Cultural Site, Interpretive Programs, Ranger Station, Swimming Site, Visitor Center, Wildlife Viewing
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 651-290-5850
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Sandy Lake
Overview 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. 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. Facilities This recreation area and campground offers a variety of facilities with water access to Big Sandy Lake and the Sandy & Mississippi rivers. T
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Water fill
- None mapped within 50 mi
- Propane
- Cenex · 35 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Lake-COE | Private campground | 0.4 mi | $16 | — |
| Savanna Portage State Park Campground | Private campground | 8.8 mi | $21 | — |
| Berglund County Park Campground | Private campground | 9.3 mi | $20 | — |
| Hay Lake Campground | Private campground | 13 mi | $14 | — |
| Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake | Private campground | 13 mi | $14 | — |
| Jacobson Campground | Private campground | 16 mi | $15 | — |
Open Sandy Lake in DryRig
Save it offline, check your rig's clearance on the drive in, and see what's nearby on the map.
Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.