McCarthy Beach State Park
Come to McCarthy Beach State Park and you’ll remember the lakes. The sandy beach on Sturgeon Lake was rated one of the top 17 beaches in North America by Highway’s Magazine. Walk along the half-mile of shoreline, or venture out into the shallow water that extends hundreds of feet into the lake.
Launch a boat on Side Lake or Sturgeon Lake to explore the five connected lakes of the Sturgeon chain. Hikers, mountain bikers, and skiers enjoy scenic trails that wind along pine-covered ridges and through stands of birch. Snowmobilers and horseback riders take advantage of the Taconite State Trail to access miles of trails outside the park. Located near many tourist attractions, McCarthy Beach State Park offers opportunities for both relaxation and exploration.
Tell me more about this park's wildlife, history, geology and landscape.
Visitor Alert!Construction Alert: The starting date for the construction of the new campground sanitation building has been pushed back into late October. The shower building is now closed, but we will be open for camping on a first-come basis until demolition starts. Updates will be posted here. We may be open on a first-come, first-served basis for Memorial Day weekend next year, but are holding reservations until mid-June in case construction is still underway. The Beatrice Lake Campground (rustic only)will remain open until November 24th, unless snow closes the campground road earlier. Reservation Information:The campground has narrow roads with sharp turns; may not be suitable for some large RVs. Please note that the road leading to sites 46 - 59 is especially narrow, so even though some of these campsites are long, they may be unsuitable for large rigs. There is a link to a .pdf file under general camping information that has detailed information on our campsites, including which ones work well for groups. It also has important information regarding sites that won't work for large motor homes or long trailers due to sharp turning radiuses. |
Park NotesBe fascinated. Check out the naturalist programs and other activities scheduled at the park. Virtual Tour:Take a virtual tour. It's a great tool to help you plan your next trip to the park! Camping Information:General Camping Information: The Side Lake Campground has narrow roads and may not be suitable for some large motor homes. In addition, a number of sites have sharp turning radiuses. Group Camp: The camp is typically open mid-spring to fall, but water may not be available at the group camp outside of the Memorial Day to Labor Day period. State Forest Campgrounds: McCarthy Beach State Park manages four state forest campgrounds and day-use areas: Button Box Lake, Thistledew Lake, Togo Horse Camp, and Stony Brook Horse Camp. These campgrounds are located in the George Washington State Forest. Camping is first-come, first-served at these areas. The cost is $12/night for a regular campsite and $16/night at the horse sites. For more information, call the park at 218-254-7979. Gift Cards:Purchase a Minnesota State Parks Gift Card. Don't move firewood!Burning non-local firewood can spread invasive species, and it's against Minnesota state law. Learn more. Always buy your firewood at the park, or from an approved local vendor. Find firewood vendors for McCarthy Beach State Park. Birders:Bird Checklist |
Park Highlights | ||||||
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Swimming BeachHours
The office is open 10 am - Noon on Saturdays and Sundays in October, plus other days and times as staff is available. Mornings are the best time to reach someone by phone. Self-registration is available when the office is closed.
Contact
7622 McCarthy Beach Road
Side Lake, MN 55781
tel: 218-254-7979
Getting There
From the town of Hibbing, take U.S. Highway 169 north to County Road 5, then 16 miles to the park.