Map showing campground location near Turner, Minnesota

Camper submitted image from Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area

Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area

Boaters and anglers find direct lake access at Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area, where campsites line the shores of Big Sandy Lake in north-central Minnesota. This Army Corps of Engineers campground operates seasonally from May through September, offering both standard drive-in sites and walk-in options for tent campers. RVs up to 65 feet can access full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections.

The campground features wooded sites with varying degrees of privacy, though some spots sit close together in the main camping area. Several waterfront sites allow campers to dock boats directly in front of their spots, though these fill quickly during peak season. A boat launch provides lake access for larger watercraft, while the fish cleaning station serves anglers targeting the lake's fish populations.

Facilities include shower buildings, flush toilets, and a dump station, with drinking water available near the boat launch in the north section. The grounds include a playground and beach area, plus historical exhibits about the area's dam and former fur trading post. Brent G. notes the campground offers "multiple fishing areas, couple of playgrounds, and good history lessons."

Campers planning extended stays should bring their own firewood, as cutting wood within the park boundaries is prohibited. Reservations are recommended for waterfront sites during summer weekends.

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Great Northern Road Trip

Duluth to Glacier National Park: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Location

Public Campground

Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area is located in Minnesota

Address

22205 531St Ln
McGregor, MN 55760

Coordinates

46.7880001 N
93.32500028 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 5/3/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors

T-Mobile
No Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 5/3/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
30 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 10 min from Duluth, MN
2 hrs 4 min from St. Cloud, MN
2 hrs 10 min from Minneapolis, MN
3 hrs 23 min from Eau Claire, WI

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned the scenic lakefront setting and well-maintained facilities with good amenities for families. Some visitors expressed disappointment with cramped sites and limited privacy between spots.

Deb M.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 24, 2023

NOT Closed

This COE campground is fully open and functional. There’s a nice variety of sites available, a boat landing and docks, shower building, dump station, playground, beach, etc. It’s all very nicely maintained. Some of the sites are a bit open to each other, but are well spaced. Tip - drinking water in the North Campground is not at the dump station, but on the other end near the boat launch.

Site49

Month of VisitMay

Cathy J.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 20, 2020

Love this campground

We’ve camped here at least 3 times, the last in the north group site in July 2017. Biggest drawback is having to buy firewood, not allowed to cut any in the park. Otherwise, it’s clean, lots of nice amenities like fish cleaning building, showers and nice boat ramp. Great Lake to boat on and Zorbas on the lake is fun

Janet R.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Variety of camping options at Big Sandy

This campground is in a sweet location on the banks of hisotric and beautiful Big Sandy lake. There are standard tent and RV sites, as well as camper cabin options. Some of the campsites are close together in the main campground, but there are also walk-in sites avaiable. This location is family friendly with boat launch, picnicking, playground, and hisotrical exhibits about the dam and its history, and about the old furpost that used to be here. The campground is wooded and shady and the lake is very pristine, and very large so you have options for all kidns of boating and water activities. Of interest for hikers is the nearby Savannah Portage State Park wihich has miles and miles of hiking trails, including the famous historic portage through the Floodwood swamp between the Savannah River, St Louis River, and Mississippi River, which was important for centuries during the fur trade era and for native americans prior to that time. This is a beautiful near-wilderness part of the state, and this campground on beautiful Big Sandy is a real asset. For paddlers on the Mississippi River Water Trail, you only have a short detour of less than 1/2 mile up the Sandy River from its confluence with the Mississippi River in order to access the campground, and it is a great option in an area of the water trail that doesnt have many other options nearby

Month of VisitAugust

(10) View All

Brent G.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2020

Beautiful

Great campground. Well maintained, great staff, good fishing. Multiple fishing areas, couple of playgrounds, and good history lessons. Unfortunately covid has some of the areas closed though.

Melissa A.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2019

Right on the water

We were in spot 12 and it was right on the water. The spots are very small and no privacy between the sites but having a water view made up for it and you can park your boat on the dock in front of your spot. We stayed in a 21ft travel trailer and it fit in the spot just fine but if you have anything bigger, you might have a hard time getting in and out of the spot.

Brandon F.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 29, 2019

Great family campground

Great place to camp. The dedicated tent sites are limited, but lots of rv sites. Electrical at every site and everyone is friendly. There are even showers and plumbed bathrooms. Only reason not a five star is that the bathrooms tent to get pretty bad and could use more than once a day cleaning on holiday weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Sandy Lake Recreation Area Campground?

Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area offers excellent facilities for campers. The campground provides electrical hookups at every site and features plumbed bathrooms with shower facilities. You'll find a variety of camping options including standard tent sites, RV sites, and camper cabins. Additional amenities include a dump station, boat landing with docks, fish cleaning building, and a playground. There's also a beach for swimming. The campground is well-maintained with drinking water available throughout. While tent sites are somewhat limited, there are plenty of RV sites and even walk-in sites for those seeking more seclusion.

What do visitors say in reviews about Sandy Lake Recreation Area Campground?

Visitors to Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area consistently praise its beautiful lakeside setting and excellent maintenance. Campers particularly appreciate the waterfront sites, with spot 12 highlighted for its direct water access and boat docking capabilities. The friendly staff and clean facilities receive positive mentions, though some note that bathrooms can get busy and may need more frequent cleaning during peak times. The campground's family-friendly atmosphere and range of recreational opportunities are frequently commended. While some sites offer limited privacy due to their open layout, the spectacular lake views compensate for this minor drawback.

What recreational activities are available at Big Sandy Lake Recreation Area?

Big Sandy Lake Recreation Area offers numerous recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Fishing is a major draw, with multiple designated fishing areas and a fish cleaning building on-site. Boating is popular with a nice boat ramp and docks available, including the convenience of parking your boat at lakefront campsites. Swimming at the beach area provides refreshment on hot days. Families appreciate the multiple playgrounds for children. Hiking opportunities are available in the surrounding area. The recreation area also features historical exhibits that offer interesting lessons about the region. During your visit, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of historic Big Sandy Lake while participating in these various outdoor activities.

Are there photos of Sandy Lake Recreation Area Campground to view before booking?

Yes, photos of Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area are available online through various camping websites and the official Corps of Engineers website. These images typically showcase the waterfront campsites, the well-maintained grounds, boat docks, and recreational facilities. Photos help prospective visitors visualize the campground layout, including the proximity of sites to the water and the natural setting around Big Sandy Lake. When booking, check the reservation platform for site-specific photos to help select the best location for your needs, as some sites offer more privacy or better water views than others.

Keep Exploring