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Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake

Confidence Learning Center
Paul Bunyan Scenic Byways

NOTICE: Many states are discouraging or banning movement of firewood to control spread of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Not bringing wood from home to your campsite and not taking unused wood you procure while camping home with you is recommended -- required in some states. Check the following website to learn more: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

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See the Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake website for additional information. Primary recreational opportunities are listed below.
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Visitor Center
Sandy Lake Visitor Center (218) 426-3482    

Directions & Lake History/Factoid
Directions: From McGregor, MN travel 13 miles north on State Highway 65. The Sandy Lake Dam & Recreation Area has 2 access roads, a South Entrance and North Entrance, which are 1/2 a mile apart and accessed off of State Highway 65. South Entrance facilities: Park office, beach, boat ramps, picnic shelter, and campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and the south group campsite. North Entrance facilities: North boat ramp, small visitor museum, campsites 22-49, tent sites 5-8, the north group campsite, and the camper cabin. Note: Only pedestrian traffic is permitted across the dam.

Lake History

Factoid: 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. "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 Big Sandy Lake and nearby Mississippi River. It offers the only public campground and beach on the 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.

Age & Disability Discount Passes

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Services Status
Please see the list below for USACE managed areas. Other parks run by state or private marinas are not included in the list below. Please contact the state or private marina for additional information.

Open    Partially Open    Closed    Status Unknown

1 Recreation areas at Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake

	Area Status
Sandy Lake Recreation Area   $				X			D C	A GS	X		I
Corps Managed Managed by Others in Italics $ Corps Fees Collected