Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake

Boundary Waters & North Shore

Boundary Waters & North Shore

At a glance

CampgroundDrinking Water

About this campsite

Campground: Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake.

What this place offers

Amenities

Drinking Water

Location

Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake•MN

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

WED🌫️

23° / 16°

💧 5%

TODAY☁️

15° / 6°

💧 1%

FRI☁️

15° / 3°

—

SAT🌧️

18° / 9°

💧 19%

SUN☁️

14° / 4°

💧 11%

Common questions about Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake

What facilities does Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake have?

Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake has drinking water. Facilities at camps change, particularly after a wet season, so check the operator or the managing authority if one of them decides your trip. The list comes from the site record rather than a visit, so treat it as a guide.

Can you book Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake online?

We hold no online booking link for Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake?

Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake sits in MN. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Facilities at Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake

Facilities recorded for Savanna State Forest -Hay Lake
Facility	On site
Drinking Water	Yes

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

400m away

Hay Lake Campground

Campground: Hay Lake Campground. Operated by State of Minnesota.

9.4 km away

Jacobson Campground

Campground: Jacobson Campground.

14.7 km away

Savanna Portage State Park Campground

Campground: Savanna Portage State Park Campground.

14.8 km away

Savanna State Park

Campground: Savanna State Park.

20.6 km away

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.