McGregor, Minnesota camping offers a mix of forested sites and waterfront locations across its state parks, county facilities, and private campgrounds. The region sits at an elevation of about 1,240 feet with humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and very cold winters. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during the day, dropping to 50-60°F at night, making tents comfortable with appropriate sleeping gear.
What to do
Paddling on Big Sandy Lake: Launch from Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area for boating access to this large body of 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," notes Melissa A.
Golfing at Minnesota National: Minnesota National RV Park provides direct access to a 27-hole golf course. "This is a relatively new (2016?) campground built right next to the Minnesota National Golf Course clubhouse, and in the corner surrounded by Savannah holes 8 and 9. It's literally inside the golf course," explains Bret S.
Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: At Savanna Portage State Park, this historic trail offers both exercise and education. "The hike to see the continental divide was really cool. We saw a fox and a deer which was cool. Then spent the evening canoeing one of the lakes listening to Loons," shares Branden W.
Exploring quarry ruins: Banning State Park Campground features remnants of a 130-year-old sandstone quarry. "The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool," writes Jennifer H.
What campers like
Private backpacking sites: For those seeking solitude, Savanna Portage offers secluded options. "The back pack sites are GREAT! Totally private and there is a little shed on at the site that came stocked with fire wood! I couldn't believe it. The hike to the site was a relatively easy under 2 miles," reports Amber S.
Waterfront camping spots: Sandy Lake offers sites with direct water access. "They all had little docks that would be nice if you had a boat. The dam was cool to see and the playground was cute for the kids," notes Stacy M.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept amenities. "Showers and restrooms were super clean! Yes it is buggy but it's minnesota so you deal with it," mentions Scott M. about Savanna Portage State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region's lakes and forests support diverse animal populations. "We saw a bear while hiking the continental divide trail so nature is out there," reports one camper about Savanna Portage.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most McGregor area campsites operate from May through October with limited winter availability. Jay Cooke State Park Campground is one exception that remains open year-round, offering winter camping options.
Insect preparation: Bugs are consistently mentioned as a challenge, particularly during peak summer months. "The bugs were pretty intense, a lot of mosquitoes, flies, and several wood ticks, so we recommend a screen tent for eating," advises Elissa W. about Savanna Portage.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between locations with some remote sites having no service. One camper notes about Savanna Portage: "This would be a great place for anyone wanting seclusion and to disconnect. No wi fi signal."
Campsite spacing concerns: At some locations, site privacy can be limited. "The spots are very small and no privacy between the sites," mentions one reviewer about Sandy Lake COE Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Look for designated kid-friendly areas: Bergland County Park offers family amenities in Palisade. "There is a good quality boat landing and ramp, fishing piers, nice full service bathrooms, playground and picnic shelter, and easy walking access to the town center," notes Janet R.
Consider activities for varied ages: Some parks offer educational programs specifically for children. "We enjoyed renting canoes for a bit in the afternoon and borrowed a kids activity kit," mentions Elissa W. about Savanna Portage.
Verify playground availability: Check current amenities before booking. "We were frustrated as a family with 2 young kids to find that the 'playground' on the map is just a green (actually weed) space with no playground, no volleyball net, literally nothing," cautions Amy K. about Savanna Portage.
Choose sites near comfort facilities: With children, proximity to restrooms can be important. Look for campsites that mention "central location" to bathrooms and water sources, as noted in several reviews.
Tips from RVers
Confirm site dimensions: Many RV sites in the McGregor area have specific size limitations. "We had no issues backing our 40' Brinkley TH into the site and still had room to put our patio down and park our F-450," notes MickandKarla W. about Minnesota National RV Park.
Check utility hook-up locations: Placement varies by campground. "The utilities are in the far back of the site. I needed about 20' of sewer, electric, and water hose to reach my rig," advises Bret S. about Minnesota National.
Water pressure considerations: "The water pressure is very good at 60+ psi, so suggest a reducer," recommends MickandKarla W. about Minnesota National RV Park.
Look for level sites: Most campgrounds have gravel pads with varying degrees of levelness. "The sites were gravel with a picnic table and a nice fire pit. There were three 5th wheels in our group, and we parked in adjacent sites and did not need to use levelers," notes one RVer.
