Sandy Lake Dam & Recreation Area - US Army Corps of Engineers 

Central Minnesota

Sandy Lake Dam

Contact Information

Sandy Lake Dam & Recreation Area - US Army Corps of Engineers

22205 531st Lane
McGregor, MN 55760
(877) 444-6777 (Toll Free)

14 miles north of McGregor, MN on State HWY 65.

South entrance & main office: Turn right onto 531st Lane, then turn left on 531st Lane.

North entrance: Turn right onto 537th Lane (1/2 mile north of South Entrance), then turn right on 222nd Place.

Get Directions

About

The Sandy Lake Recreation Area is a part of the US Army Corps of Engineers - Mississippi Headwaters Project. Sandy Lake offers recreational opportunities including camping, boating, swimming, picnicking, and playgrounds. The 60 site campground is open from May through mid-October and features a variety of campsite options. The campground is 100% reservable and reservations can be made from 6 months in advance to the same day of planned arrival by going to www.recreation.gov or calling 1-877-444-6777.

The site is open to day users year round. Two playgrounds, a public beach, shoreline fishing, and multiple picnic areas are offered free of charge. Three boat launches, two onto Big Sandy Lake and one onto the Sandy River/Mississippi River are available for a fee. Anglers enjoy fishing the lake and river for northern pike, walleye, bluegill and crappie.

The original wood dam was built in 1895 and included a lock that allowed steam boats to travel through to the Mississippi River. The original wood structure was replaced with concrete in 1912 and the lock was last cycled in 1956. Today, the lock house has been converted into a small museum containing historical artifacts of the area.

Dates

Campground open May-Oct 15th. Day use open year round.

Rates

Group and camper cabin camping sites $60/day.

  
Return to previous page