Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Aitkin County in east central
Minnesota, about five miles south of the community of McGregor. It was
established in 1935 to preserve valuable habitat for waterfowl. The most
important resource on the refuge is Rice Lake itself, a shallow, 3,600-acre
wild rice-producing lake. The refuge has been designated as a Globally
Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy due to the importance of
the lake and its wild rice as a food source to migrating waterfowl, especially
ring-necked ducks. The refuge has also been designated as a State Important
Bird Area, as part of the larger McGregor Important Bird Area, by the National
Audubon Society.

The refuge continues its important wildlife management role today. Its human
history and variety of wildlands and wildlife makes it a fine place to visit,
study and enjoy the outdoors.

<p>Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Aitkin County in east central Minnesota, about five miles south of the community of McGregor. It was established in 1935 to preserve valuable habitat for waterfowl. The most important resource on the refuge is Rice Lake itself, a shallow, 3,600-acre wild rice-producing lake. The refuge has been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy due to the importance of the lake and its wild rice as a food source to migrating waterfowl, especially ring-necked ducks. The refuge has also been designated as a State Important Bird Area, as part of the larger McGregor Important Bird Area, by the National Audubon Society.</p><p>The refuge continues its important wildlife management role today. Its human history and variety of wildlands and wildlife makes it a fine place to visit, study and enjoy the outdoors. </p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge

The Headwaters Lakes Project is located in Minnesota?s lake country. Campfires
and sunsets and the peacefulness of the water make each day a special event.
The dams were originally constructed of native materials (earthen embankments
filled with puddled clay, and timber control structures) in the early 1880s,
except Gull Lake, which was constructed in 1912, using concrete. Sandy Lake
Dam had the northernmost navigational lock on the Mississippi River and was
the site of an early trading post.

The Headwaters Lakes Project is located in Minnesota?s lake country. Campfires and sunsets and the peacefulness of the water make each day a special event. The dams were originally constructed of native materials (earthen embankments filled with puddled clay, and timber control structures) in the early 1880s, except Gull Lake, which was constructed in 1912, using concrete. Sandy Lake Dam had the northernmost navigational lock on the Mississippi River and was the site of an early trading post.

## 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.

<h2>Overview</h2>
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.<h2>Recreation</h2>
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.<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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”. <strong> </strong></p>

<h2>Natural Features</h2>
<p>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.</p>

<h2>Nearby Attractions</h2>
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.

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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Nearby Parks

Mississippi River Headwaters - Sandy Lake