Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233620
When Sandy Lake reopens
Sandy Lake's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
4
Openings · last 90 days
143
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dTuesday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 42 of 143 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Tuesday (29.4%), with Wednesday (32) and Saturday (30) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 00:00 and 15:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 35 of 143 detected openings (24.5%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Central Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 19 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 3–31.5 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 22 | 15.4% |
| 24 | 16 | 11.2% |
| 01 | 13 | 9.1% |
| 14 | 9 | 6.3% |
| 43 | 9 | 6.3% |
Site 30 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 22. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · May 1 – May 3, 2027 · of 61 monitored sites
Of the 183 tracked site-dates (May 1 – May 3, 2027): 174 open for online reservation · 9 closed.
Where the open windows are
4.9% of tracked site-dates are not currently open for online reservation. 174 of 183 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
May 1 – May 3, 2027Not open online4.9%
Open site-dates174 / 183
Reserved (of online inventory)0 / 174
Weekday openings57
Weekend openings114
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 57 fall on weekdays and 114 on weekends (Fri–Sun). The split covers the 171 open site-nights on mapped sites; 174 site-dates are open across all monitored inventory.
Open dates by month
May 2027 – May 2027May holds the most room. 174 of 183 site-dates are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 60 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 1 day-use unit| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked date.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 01 | 3 |
| 02 | 3 |
| 03 | 3 |
| 04 | 3 |
| 05 | 3 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| Picnic Shelter | 3 |
This day-use unit currently has 3 reservation dates available.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts May 1, 2027. That is about 180 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before May 1, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-dates shown on this page describe May 1, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Stays and site detail
171 open site-nights across 57 sites at Sandy Lake, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
60 overnight sites and 1 day-use unit are represented in the current inventory. Day-use inventory is excluded from every night-based figure on this page — site-nights, longest runs, multi-night stays, holiday stays and RV fit; its reservation dates are listed separately below.
Multi-night stays. 57 2-night, 57 3-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest May 1, 2027 at site 01.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 92 ft. 49 sites take 25 ft, 42 sites take 35 ft, 39 sites take 40 ft. 9 sites of 60 have no recorded maximum and are not counted.
All 57 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 52 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 02 | 44 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 03 | 40 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 04 | 31 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 05 | 35 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 06 | 32 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 07 | 27 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 08 | 24 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 09 | 22 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 10 | 25 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 11 | 31 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 12 | 33 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 13 | 35 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 14 | 41 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 15 | 56 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 16 | 60 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 17 | 60 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 18 | 58 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 19 | 58 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 20 | 47 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 21 | 40 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 23 | 47 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 24 | 52 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 25 | 50 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 26 | 56 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 27 | 48 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 29 | 58 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 31 | 42 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 32 | 75 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 33 | 66 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 34 | 80 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 35 | 39 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 36 | 40 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 37 | 76 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 38 | 60 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 39 | 68 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 40 | 30 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 41 | 54 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 42 | 73 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 43 | 61 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 44 | 52 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 45 | 72 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 46 | 54 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 47 | 65 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 48 | 45 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 49 | 69 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Camper Cabin | Not recorded | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| North Group | 92 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| South Group | 78 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 1 | Not recorded | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 2 | Not recorded | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 3 | Not recorded | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 4 | Not recorded | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 5 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 6 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 7 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| Tent 8 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
Day-use inventory
3 available reservation dates across 1 day-use unit. Day-use inventory is reserved by the date, so it carries no stay length.
All 1 day-use unit with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picnic Shelter | 3 | 3 dates | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
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. The campground features 43 single family sites, five double family sites and two group sites - all with electric hookups. Eight primitive walk-to tent sites (four of which have electrical hookups), a camper cabin with bunk beds and a day-use group picnic shelter are also available. The campground is divided by the Sandy Lake Dam into a north and south side, each with separate vehicle access roads. Only pedestrian traffic is permitted across the dam. Amenities include flush and vault restrooms, showers, drinking water, laundry facilities and a dump station. Day use facilities are intertwined within the campground and contain two lake boat ramps, one river boat ramp, docks, a fishing pier, beach, playgrounds and a short hiking trail.
NOTE: Campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and the south group campsite are accessed via the “South Entrance”. Campsites 22-49, tent sites 5-8, the north group campsite, and the camper cabin can be accessed via the “North Entrance”.
Natural Features
Big Sandy Lake is a reservoir that was created in the late nineteenth century from the waters of a naturally exisiting lake and the Sandy River. A forest of mixed hardwoods and towering red and white pine covers the area. An abundance of wildlife can be found including bald eagles, white-tail deer, black bears, chipmunks, loons, mink, river otters and many others. Wild rice is harvested from the lake seasonally and wild berries are occasionally found.
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include golf courses, shopping and dining venues, Savannah Portage State Park, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and many acres of state and county forest land.
61 monitored sitesRVs up to 92 ft56 with hookups50 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontRiverfrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 25
Getting there
22205 531st Lane McGregor, MN 55760 Take Highway 65 for 13 miles north of McGregor, Minnesota. *Follow "South Entrance" signs for campsites 1-21, tent sites 1-4, and south group campsite. *Follow "North Entrance" signs for campsites 22-49, tent sites 5-8, north group campsite, and camper cabin. If you need assistance finding your campsite, follow "South Entrance" signs to the campground office.
22205 531St Lane, Mcgregor, MN 55760651-290-5850
BoatingCampingCanoeingDay Use AreaFishingHikingHistoric & Cultural SiteInterpretive ProgramsRanger StationSwimming SiteVisitor CenterWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233620 · facility
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233620 · Sandy Lake · Mcgregor MN12 frames · facility
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Sandy Lake?
Reservations for Sandy Lake are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 174 of 183 tracked site-dates are open (95.1%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 143 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site or unit on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 18:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Sandy Lake?
Campsite Sniper detected 143 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Sandy Lake?
Tuesday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 42 of 143 (29.4%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Sandy Lake?
57 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts May 1, 2027 at site 01. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Sandy Lake fit a 35-foot RV?
42 of the 60 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 92 ft. 51 of those 60 sites have a recorded maximum length and 9 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Which month has the most availability at Sandy Lake?
May 2027, with 174 open site-dates in the current snapshot of 183.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Sandy Lake?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 19 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 3-31.5 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Sandy Lake?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Sandy Lake begins May 1, 2027 — about 180 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before May 1, 2027.
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